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A measure applied from 1 August From 1 August, certain stages of breast cancer treatment will be reimbursed only if the treatment was carried out in approved breast clinics, including the Erasmus Hospital and the Jules Bordet Institute. This decision was taken following a study carried out by the Federal Centre for Expertise in Health Care (KCE), which revealed that women treated in a non-accredited clinic were 30% more likely to die of breast cancer than patients treated in an accredited clinic.Find out more in the RTBF report.

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What is obesity? Being overweight or obese is defined as having an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that is harmful to health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers that a person is overweight when their body mass index (BMI) is above 25 and is obese when it is equal to or above 30.  In Belgium, 49.3% of the adult population is overweight and 16% of the population is obese. The risk of being overweight or obese increases with age as it applies to one third and one fifth of the population respectively after the age of 35.  It is a public health problem associated with the development of numerous diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.     Care The Erasmus Hospital Integrated Obesity Centre (CIO)  proposes three care modules for persons who are overweight or obese: intensive coaching, medical interventions (including intergastric balloon or gastric pication) and surgery. Each module is personalised for each patient. As a patient at the CIO you are at the heart of a multidisciplinary team of experts in which you are the key actor in your own care. At each stage you will be accompanied by a team of dieticians, psychologists, endocrinologists, nutritionist doctors, gastroenterologists, surgeons and physiotherapists.    The Integrated Obesity Centre is associated with the Multidisciplinary Obesity Centre for Children located on the HUDERF Campus  that is dedicated to caring for children and adolescents.  These young people receive, on the basis of a medical convention,  multidisciplinary and structured care that is adapted to their needs.    Image Research The treatment of obesity, for adults and children, is constantly evolving.    There are numerous research projects in this area, ranging from theses on dietetics (including in children), physiotherapy, psychology and medicine to drug studies and academic studies. The Integrated Obesity Centre and Multidisciplinary Obesity Centre for Children aim to be at the forefront of research and teaching.   

What is oncofertility? Oncofertility is a medical discipline aimed at preserving the fertility of cancer patients before they begin potentially sterilizing treatments.Why consider fertility before starting cancer treatment?Certain cancer treatments, known as gonadotoxic therapies, can damage the ovaries or testes, leading to a reduction or complete loss of fertility.In girls and young women: This can cause premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).In boys and young women: This can permanently impair sperm production.Therefore, it is essential to address this issue as soon as diagnosis is confirmed, even when treating the disease is urgent. Timely consultation often helps preserve the chances of having a child in the future.The Oncofertility Care Pathway at H.U.BCancer diagnosis receivedReferral to the oncofertility team (by the general practitioner, oncologist, hematologist, pediatrician, etc.)Rapid consultation with our specialized teamAssessment of current fertility and treatment-related risksDiscussion of available optionsImplementation of preservation techniquesPersonalized follow-up after treatment Image A multidisciplinary team by your side At the Brussels University Hospital, a dedicated oncofertility team supports patients throughout their care pathway:Fertility and reproductive specialists (Brussels University Hospital Fertility Clinic)Lead oncologists and hematologistsEndocrinologistsPsychologistsClinical nurse coordinatorsReproductive biologistsWe work in close collaboration with the oncology teams at the Jules Bordet Institute and the pediatric teams at the Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital (HUDERF) to ensure therapeutic priorities are respected while integrating fertility preservation whenever possible.Our specialists Image Dr. Margherita CONDORELLI  Languages: French, Italian, English Prendre rendez-vous Image Dr. Isabelle DEMEESTERE Languages: French, english Prendre rendez-vous Image Dr. David PENINGLanguages: French, Dutch, English Prendre rendez-vous What options are available for fertility preservation? For Girls / Young Women1. Oocyte Cryopreservation (Egg Freezing)Target Audience: Post-pubertal young women (who have started their periods).Procedure: Following hormonal stimulation lasting approximately ten days (similar to an in vitro fertilization protocol), the ovaries produce multiple oocytes. These are then retrieved via ultrasound-guided needle aspiration under light anesthesia and subsequently cryopreserved.Feasibility: Possible if the initiation of cancer treatment can be deferred by 2 to 3 weeks.2. Embryo CryopreservationTarget Audience: Of-age young women in a stable relationship or with a partner, wishing to create embryos.Procedure: Following ovarian stimulation, the retrieved oocytes are fertilized with the partner's (or a donor's) sperm to create embryos, which are then cryopreserved.Key Consideration: Requires a clearly defined, mutual parental project.3. Ovarian Tissue CryopreservationTarget Audience: Pre-pubertal girls or young women for whom hormonal stimulation is contraindicated or not feasible.Procedure: A minor surgical procedure (typically laparoscopy) is performed to biopsy or remove part of an ovary. This tissue is then cryopreserved. It can later be autotransplanted to restore natural ovarian function or enable pregnancy.Advantage: Can be performed on very short notice, without waiting for the menstrual cycle.4. Ovarian Suppression During ChemotherapyTarget Audience: Post-pubertal young women.Procedure: Medications known as GnRH agonists (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone analogues) are administered to induce a temporary medical menopause, effectively putting the ovaries "at rest" during treatment. This is not a standalone fertility preservation method but can help mitigate gonadotoxic damage.Limitations: Less effective than cryopreservation techniques, but serves as a useful adjuvant therapy. For Boys / Young Men1. Sperm Cryopreservation (Semen Banking)Target Audience: Post-pubertal young men.Procedure: Prior to commencing treatment, one or more semen samples are collected (via masturbation) and subsequently cryopreserved.Advantage: Simple, rapid, and non-invasive. Cryopreserved sperm can be stored long-term for several years.2. Testicular Tissue CryopreservationTarget Audience: Pre-pubertal boys (who do not yet produce mature spermatozoa).Procedure: A minor surgical biopsy is performed to extract a small piece of testicular tissue containing spermatogonial stem cells. This tissue is then cryopreserved for future clinical use.Current Status: This method is currently classified as experimental but holds significant promise, particularly for very young patients.Selecting the Appropriate OptionThe clinical decision depends on several variables:The patient’s age and pubertal statusThe specific diagnosis and type of cancerThe clinical urgency to initiate oncological treatmentThe preferences and wishes of the child/adolescent and their familyPotential medical contraindicationsOur multidisciplinary team is here to support you at every stage, explaining the available options, answering your questions, and coordinating care to ensure the timeliest management possible. complementary information Contact Are you about to start a potentially gonadotoxic treatment? Are you unsure whether your treatment could impact your fertility?Contact our Oncofertility specialists by phone without delay!To arrange a sperm cryopreservation for a patient, please contact us by phone at +32(0)2 555 31 95.For any additional, non-urgent inquiries, you can contact us by email at Oncofertilite [dot] FIV [at] hubruxelles [dot] be (Oncofertilite[dot]FIV[at]hubruxelles[dot]be.)

What is egg donation? Egg donation has existed at Erasme Hospital since 1984 and has enabled thousands of women worldwide to become mothers. In Belgium, under the law on Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR), requests are accepted up to the age of 45, and donation procedures can be carried out until the age of 47.In which cases am I concerned?Egg donation is proposed when infertility is due to very low egg quality despite the presence of menstrual cycles (ovarian insufficiency or failure), or when the ovaries no longer contain follicles and no longer function (menopause).Some patients choose egg donation to avoid transmitting a genetic disease to their offspring.Who are the donors?Women who voluntarily present themselves at Erasme or the Gametia egg bank.Women motivated by a close relative or friend in need of egg donation, who agree to donate their eggs to the Erasme MCH bank. The eggs, obtained after ovarian stimulation, are anonymously allocated to several women with the same indication. Their relatives may receive several anonymous consecutive donations. This is known as cross donation.Any woman requiring egg donation may register on a waiting list. However, most prefer to bring their own donor to reduce waiting time and costs and increase success rates.Directed donationDirected donation is also possible at the Fertility Clinic of Erasme Hospital. In this case, you receive eggs exclusively from your donor (sister, friend, cousin), when access to genetic origins is important to you.Anonymous donationAccording to Belgian law, anonymity is permanent. Even as an adult, the child will not be able to access the donor’s identity.Couples choose anonymous donation to clearly define the donor’s role and avoid biological or relational ties.Anonymous cross donation also allows repeated access to donated eggs, increasing pregnancy chances compared to directed or simple anonymous donation.Physical characteristics are recorded to ensure appropriate donor–recipient matching. Medical services Psychological assessment and supportDonor criteriaAnonymous donors: 20–34 years oldDirected donation: up to 38 years old, with at least one childMedical assessmentEvaluation of ovarian reserve (blood test and ultrasound)Gynecological assessment and explanation of treatmentGenetic consultation to exclude transmissible genetic disordersFor anonymous donation, all donors undergo carrier screening (over 1,000 rare but serious genetic conditions), also offered to recipient couples. This test is costly and requires 2–4 months.Belgian law requires a mandatory psychological interview prior to gamete donation to ensure motivation, informed consent, and absence of coercion.At least one psychological consultation is required, with optional ongoing support during treatment, pregnancy, or after birth.Treatment and success ratesDonors undergo controlled ovarian hyperstimulation similar to standard IVF cycles.Recipients receive estrogen and progesterone to prepare the endometrium. Treatment continues for three months if pregnancy occurs.Increasing scientific evidence supports embryo transfer in natural ovulatory cycles. In this case, embryos are frozen and transferred five days after ovulation.Pregnancy rates per attempt are generally higher than in conventional IVF. The main determining factor is donor age.What support is available?Psychological support addresses emotional distress related to infertility and MAR, while encouraging reflection focused on the future child.Specialized fertility psychologists work closely with gynecologists to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary care.Questions regarding disclosure to relatives and to the child receive particular attention.Fertidata A national Belgian application managed by Sciensano that limits the number of families per donor to six. Advice Anonymous cross donation offers the highest chance of pregnancy at lower cost but requires openness about infertility and acceptance of non-genetic parenthood. Our medical-psychological team can guide you through this process Focus Collaboration with Gametia egg bankPartnerships with Cryos and FertibankCompensation is provided to cover travel expenses and the consultation time required for the assessment and ovarian stimulation. Scientific research Embryo transfer in natural cyclesStudy on progesterone-induced endometrial luteinization without waiting for ovulation peak (Dr Amirgholami- Prof Delbaere)  Our specialists Cross egg donation is performed exclusively at Erasme in Belgium.Genetic matching available via Begecs.Associated ServicesAdministrative Contact: Linda GouinDepartment of Gynecology and ObstetricsPr. Anne DELBAEREPr. Fabienne DEVREKERDr. Soraya AMIRGHOLAMIDr. Catherine HOUBADr. Caroline LECOCQ PsychologistsDepartment of GeneticsGeneticists:Pr. Guillaume SMITSPr. Isabelle VANDERNOOTDr. Sandra COPPENSGenetics Supervisors:Adeline BUSSON  Marie-Laure GRENET  Marie BRUNEAUAlice LE MORILLON