The 2nd Department of Internal Medicine was given the title Centre of Excellence by the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS), which is awarded to hospitals and centres providing the best clinical care. According to Dr. Péter Igaz, Director, currently there are 50 centres of excellence around the world, including the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, which is the only Hungarian institution bearing the title. The recognition does not only represent a high standard of patient care but has various benefits for the department and its patients as well.

“The European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS) was established to improve patient care, tumour treatment and research, in order to better understand tumours. It has provided an opportunity for hospitals with the best clinical care to apply for the centre of excellence title, which demands compliance with very strict rules.”, said Dr. Péter Igaz.

The conditions require the admission of at least 80 new patients with gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours every year, the availability of a so-called oncoteam, a regular consultation of doctors specialised in neuroendocrine tumours, as well as several other administrative and infrastructural conditions. Dr. Andrea Uhlyarik, coordinator of the centre said that the application was preceded by a nearly two-year-long preparatory period, which she herself took active part in.

“Being the only centre of excellence in Hungary is a huge step forward, which not only indicates our capability of providing patient care on the highest level complying with European standards, but also represents an opportunity for future development.”, she said.

The recognition grants access to the scientific and professional programmes organised by the society, as well as to their databases.

“As there is no other centre of excellence in the neighbouring countries, we could receive patients from the region, thus opening up the possibility of international patient care. Moreover, such a centre of excellence could work as a platform for international trainings.”, said Dr. Péter Igaz about the benefits.  

When speaking about the department’s goals, Dr. Júlia Lohinszky, senior clinical doctor, pointed out their efforts to become a kind of reference centre in the future, because it is of utmost importance to treat patients based on consistent guidelines.

Neuroendocrine tumours are a relatively rare subgroup of cancers (approximately 3.5 new gastrointestinal cases per 100,000 inhabitants every year), however, their incidence is increasing. Contrary to well-known malignant cancer types, the progress of endocrine tumours is much slower and the condition of patients may remain unchanged for years, which allows the use of many different treatment options.

“The diagnostics and treatment of these tumours are significantly different from those of other cancers, therefore specialist knowledge is required, which is available at the 2nd Department of Internal Medicine. The work of the oncoteam is vital, which is made up of endocrinologist, oncologist, gastroenterologist, radiologist, pathologist, surgical and nuclear medicine specialists, who jointly decide on the treatment. One of the leaders of this team is Dr. Miklós Tóth, deputy director”, said Dr. Péter Igaz.

Currently, there are 50 centres of excellence and the vast majority are located in Europe. In Central and Eastern Europe there are only two such centres: one in Katowice and another in Vienna. Therefore, receiving the title is a great achievement on a regional level as well.

Bernadett Bódi
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
Translation: Ágnes Raubinek