University Hospital Zurich (USZ): Cancer Care in Switzerland

USZ is a public university hospital with longstanding roots in Zurich's hospital and medical teaching tradition. Its current role combines specialist patient care, education and research in association with the University of Zurich. Cancer services form part of a wider hospital rather than a standalone oncology institution.

Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich brings together clinical and research expertise relevant to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Multidisciplinary tumour boards allow specialists to review findings and discuss treatment plans. Depending on the diagnosis, this may involve medical oncology, haematology, surgery, radiation oncology, radiology and pathology.

The hospital's scale is best understood through its breadth of specialist services rather than an unsupported bed or patient count. Complex cancer care may require several departments, including services managing underlying liver disease, treatment complications or other medical conditions.

Notable features include molecular tumour review, cellular therapy through its CAR-T programme and a substantial clinical research portfolio. These describe available expertise and infrastructure; they do not establish that a particular treatment will benefit an individual patient or be available immediately.

Liver cancer is one of the highlighted specialities. Assessment needs to distinguish primary liver cancers from cancers that have spread to the liver, because treatment pathways differ. Decisions also depend on liver function, tumour distribution and general health. Patients should ask which liver cancer programme would review their case and whether additional hepatology assessment is needed.

Breast and prostate cancer programmes draw on diagnostic, surgical, radiation and systemic treatment expertise. Relevant considerations include disease stage, tumour biology, previous treatment and the balance between cancer control and treatment effects. Early-stage disease and metastatic disease generally require different discussions and treatment goals.

Blood cancer care includes specialist haematology assessment and consideration of cellular therapies. CAR-T is relevant to selected diagnoses and treatment settings, not blood cancers as a whole. The centre also treats cancers beyond these highlighted groups; patients should confirm the appropriate disease-specific team.

Surgery and radiation therapy may be used with curative intent, to reduce recurrence risk or to relieve symptoms, depending on the disease. Their suitability depends on tumour location, extent, previous treatment and fitness. A multidisciplinary recommendation may combine local treatment with medicines rather than favouring one modality in isolation.

Systemic options include immunotherapy and targeted therapy where supported by the diagnosis, biomarkers and applicable treatment indications. Molecular testing may help identify relevant targets. A molecular tumour board can interpret complex findings, but an identified alteration does not necessarily lead to an effective, accessible or funded treatment.

USZ's CAR-T programme provides a potential option for selected patients with blood cancers. This pathway requires detailed eligibility assessment, cell collection, manufacturing arrangements and monitoring for potentially serious adverse effects. Patients should clarify whether bridging treatment, hospital admission and a period near the hospital would be required in their circumstances.

Proton therapy is provided through referral links with the Paul Scherrer Institute, a separate treatment location. It is not automatically preferable to other radiation techniques and is suitable only in selected circumstances. The radiation oncology teams would need to assess the expected benefit, referral acceptance and coordination of planning and follow-up.

USZ's oncology research portfolio is described by an indicative figure of around 300 active clinical trials. Trial status changes, and an active study may be following enrolled participants rather than accepting new ones. The current number, cancer-specific availability and recruitment status should therefore be checked directly. Research participation may involve an investigational medicine, a treatment combination or another aspect of cancer care.

International patients can ask the relevant oncology team to screen their records for potentially suitable studies. Eligibility commonly depends on diagnosis, molecular findings, previous therapies, organ function and general health. A preliminary match is not an offer of enrolment: formal screening, informed consent and an available place are required. Patients should also establish whether cross-border participation is feasible, how often attendance is necessary and which research-related and routine-care costs remain their responsibility.

Before travelling, request a records-based assessment and clarify whether the purpose is a second opinion, trial screening or treatment. Provide a concise medical summary alongside the underlying reports and images. Ask whether pathology review, repeat imaging or further tests would be needed after arrival. Do not interrupt existing treatment without agreement between the treating teams.

Confirm the expected treatment locations, funding arrangements and follow-up plan before committing to travel. A USZ assessment and proton treatment at the Paul Scherrer Institute involve separate locations. For intensive treatment, discuss caregiver requirements, fitness to fly and the possibility of an extended stay. Agree who will manage complications and prescriptions after returning home.

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

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Email: international@usz.ch

Phone: +41 44 255 11 11

Website: https://www.usz.ch

Languages supported: German, English, French, 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.