Pathology of gastrointestinal tract tumors
Biomarkers, Colorectal cancer, Gastrointestinal cancer, Genetics, Hereditary cancer, Histopathology, Neuroendocrine tumor, Pancreatic cancer
Research aim
Our aim is to increase understanding of the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tract tumors and to identify and validate potential histopathological and molecular biomarkers to improve and personalize therapy for patients.
About us
Our aim is to identify, validate and implement diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for gastrointestinal (GI) tract neoplasms to refine diagnoses and improve and personalize therapy.
By studying neoplastic precursor lesions and early as well as hereditary forms of cancer our understanding of the genetic evolution of GI tumors is increased, leading to novel biomarkers for early detection and recognition of hereditary predisposition. Furthermore, distinct genomic alterations are being discovered in certain tumor types. Studying this leads to the discovery of potential new molecular diagnostic biomarkers that refine tumor classification, diagnosis and personalize treatment.
Due to screening programs for GI tumors as well as the generally increased use of radiological body imaging, more early stage tumors (pT1) are detected. This often causes treatment dilemmas where potential under- and overtreatment must be weighed. We study both histopathological prognostic biomarkers as well as potential novel molecular prognostic biomarkers.
The research group consists of three dedicated GI pathologists and a varying number of PhD- and master students. We have strong collaborations with clinicians and basic scientists in the UMC Utrecht and with other (inter)national researchers. Part of the research is performed within (inter)national expert groups (e.g. T1 CRC group, Dutch Pancreatic Cancer group, DBNETs).