About the clinic
The Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center is a world-class academic hospital and cancer institute located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. As part of Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC), it enjoys a strong reputation for combining care, research, and education in one integrated institution. It offers services to patients from across the Netherlands and attracts international referrals, serving people from Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond.
The origins of the cancer institute trace back to the Rotterdam Radiotherapy Institute in 1914, later named after radiologist Daniël den Hoed in 1960. Its operations formally merged into Erasmus MC in the late 1990s and early 2000s, culminating in the unified Erasmus MC Cancer Institute from 2013 onward.
Today, Erasmus MC is the largest university medical center in the Netherlands, with over 1,200 beds and a wide scope of specialties. The Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center is especially known for pioneering personalized cancer treatments, strong translational research, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Its staff includes clinicians, researchers, and support teams who speak multiple languages to support international patients.
Whether you are seeking complex cancer treatment, a second opinion, or advanced diagnostics at a top-tier European facility, Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center remains a top choice for patients around the world. Explore why thousands choose Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center for treatment abroad.
Key Specialties and Departments at Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center
The Erasmus MC Cancer Institute comprises multiple expert departments and treatment programs. Many of these are among the most advanced in Europe. Below are some of its core specialties and notable procedures:
- Medical Oncology: Focused on treating solid tumors using systemic therapy, targeted agents, and immunotherapy. The department also leads translational genomics research and strives to optimize individualized treatments.
- Radiation Oncology / Radiotherapy: Precise radiation treatment, including advanced linear accelerators and image-guided techniques. The hospital has acquired Elekta Versa HD linac systems to improve tumor targeting.
- Surgical Oncology: Multi-disciplinary tumor surgery, complex resections, minimally invasive surgery, and reconstructive approaches.
- Hematology / Hemato-oncology: Diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers, bone marrow transplantation, and integrated care with medical oncology and transplantation services.
- Molecular Pathology & Diagnostics: Supports molecular cancer diagnostics, biomarker testing, and biobanking for advanced research and treatment planning.
- Translational Cancer Genomics: A research group working on clinically relevant biomarkers in breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer.
- Palliative, Supportive & Symptom Control Care: Dedicated to optimizing quality of life, symptom management, and end-of-life care integrated with oncology services.
Some of the advanced procedures and treatments Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center is known for include:
- Precision / Personalized Therapy: Using genomic, molecular, and pharmacologic profiling to tailor anti-cancer therapy.
- Immunotherapy and Adoptive T Cell Therapy: Harnessing the patient’s immune system through cutting-edge clinical and translational immunology.
- Liquid Biopsies: Noninvasive detection of tumor DNA fragments in blood to guide treatment decisions and monitor response.
- Complex Multimodal Treatment: Combined surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and reconstructive care for challenging tumors.
- Bone Marrow / Stem Cell Transplantation: For hematologic malignancies in collaboration with transplantation services.
Patients can also find detailed information about symptoms, success rates, pre-operative and post-operative care on institutional or specialty pages. Departments frequently link to definitions, clinical protocols, and outcomes data to support transparency and informed decision making.
Advanced Technologies & State-of-the-Art Facilities
One of the hallmarks of Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center is its cutting-edge technology and modern facilities, which set it apart from older hospitals. These capabilities support higher precision, safety, and patient comfort.
- Linear Accelerators / Radiation Therapy Equipment: The facility uses advanced linacs such as Elekta Versa HD, including beam-shaping and imaging capabilities to maximize tumor targeting and minimize damage to healthy tissue.
- Molecular Imaging & PET-CT / Hybrid Scanners: Integrated imaging suites support diagnosis, staging, and radiation planning.
- High-Field MRI and Radiology Suites: 3 Tesla MRI and advanced diagnostic radiology support precise tumor visualization and planning.
- Operating Theaters & Robotic Surgery: Multiple modern surgical theaters equipped for minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgeries.
- Intensive Care Units & Recovery Areas: Specialized ICUs and post-operative recovery wards with close monitoring for complex oncology patients.
- Digital Systems & Telemedicine: Electronic medical records (EMR), oncology information systems (OIS), digital treatment planning, and teleconsultation platforms enable continuity and coordination of care.
- Biobanking Infrastructure: Erasmus MC Tissue Bank and participation in European biobanking networks enable high-level translational research integration.
- Facilities for Patient Comfort: Comfortable inpatient wards, imaging lounges, outpatient infusion centers, and amenities to support longer stays for complex therapies.
These technologies give Erasmus MC / Daniel den Hoed Cancer Center a competitive edge among hospitals, especially compared to older or less equipped facilities. The ability to translate new discoveries rapidly into patient care is a distinct strength.
