Geneva University Hospitals (HUG): Cancer Care in Geneva

Geneva University Hospitals was established in 1995 through the consolidation of Geneva’s public hospitals. It is linked to the University of Geneva and combines patient care with teaching and research. Cancer care sits within this broader university hospital structure rather than in a separate, single-disease institution.

HUG is a large, multi-site hospital group serving Geneva and the wider region. Oncology care can therefore involve different departments and locations, including surgical services, medical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology, imaging and pathology. For an overseas patient, the relevant point is which team will coordinate the case and where appointments and treatment will take place.

Within French-speaking Switzerland, HUG has an academic oncology role and participates in Swiss Cancer Center Léman, a regional collaboration connecting clinical care and cancer research. Breast and gynaecological cancer programmes are notable parts of its services. Academic status and network participation support specialist collaboration, but do not establish that a particular treatment is suitable or that outcomes will be better for an individual patient.

Breast cancer care may require input from breast surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology and imaging, with reconstruction or hereditary-risk assessment considered where appropriate. Gynaecological cancer programmes address cancers affecting the female reproductive organs, including ovarian, uterine and cervical cancers. The proposed pathway depends on the precise tumour type, stage, previous treatment and the patient’s preferences, including fertility considerations where relevant.

Lung and colorectal cancers are also among the centre’s stated specialities. Assessment can involve staging investigations and tumour biomarker testing where these could change treatment choices. Blood cancers require a haematology-led approach and include diseases such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Patients with rare subtypes or complex relapsed disease should ask whether HUG has a suitable specialist pathway; coverage of a broad cancer category does not confirm access to every intervention.

Surgery is available as part of cancer treatment when an operation is appropriate. Its purpose may be diagnosis, tumour removal, symptom relief or reconstruction. The surgical approach and any need for treatment before or after an operation depend on tumour characteristics and overall fitness.

Radiation therapy may be used alone or alongside surgery and medicines, either to treat the cancer or relieve symptoms. Planning usually requires a specialist assessment and dedicated imaging. Patients should confirm the proposed technique and schedule rather than assume that a particular technology or shortened course is available or suitable.

Chemotherapy and immunotherapy form part of HUG’s systemic treatment options. These medicines have different indications and side-effect profiles; immunotherapy is not effective or recommended for every cancer. Treatment decisions also take account of organ function, other illnesses, previous medicines and the practical ability to monitor complications.

Precision oncology uses relevant tumour or molecular findings to inform treatment selection. Testing may identify a standard targeted treatment or a possible trial, but can also find no actionable result. Ask which tests are necessary, whether existing results can be used, and how findings would alter the proposed plan.

The supplied centre profile describes around 150 active oncology clinical trials. This figure is indicative: trial portfolios change, and an active study may be recruiting, temporarily closed to enrolment or following patients already enrolled. The total should not be read as the number of treatment options available to a particular patient. HUG’s academic and regional research links provide context for its trial activity, not a guarantee of access.

International patients can ask the relevant clinical team to assess possible trial eligibility after reviewing their records. Criteria commonly include cancer subtype, stage, biomarkers, previous treatments, general health and laboratory results. Participation may require additional screening, repeated visits and follow-up in Geneva. Confirm whether overseas residents can enrol, which expenses are covered, and which remain payable. A clinical trial evaluates an approach under a protocol; benefit is uncertain and participation requires informed consent.

Start by requesting a review of the diagnosis and the treatment question you want HUG to address. A second opinion, an operation and a prolonged course of systemic therapy have different logistical requirements. Ask for a named coordinating service, the expected assessment sequence and a written explanation of what must happen before treatment can be confirmed. Do not assume that submitting records constitutes acceptance.

Before travelling, clarify financial authorisation, insurance arrangements, language assistance and accommodation needs. Establish who will manage symptoms between visits and after you return home. Ideally, the HUG team and your local oncologist should agree how treatment summaries, prescriptions, test results and urgent concerns will be communicated, including whether parts of follow-up can safely take place locally.

Contact details below come from the hospital's own published international patient information.

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Email: No public international e-mail address is published; use the website enquiry form.

Phone: +41 22 372 33 11

Website: https://www.hug.ch

Languages supported: French, English, German, Italian

Remote second opinion: Available

Always confirm current contact details on the hospital's own website before sending medical records, and never send documents to an address you have not verified.