CHUV opens new bladder cancer center combining advanced care and interdisciplinary expertise

The Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) strengthens its oncology network with the launch of a dedicated bladder cancer center offering personalized, high-level treatment and coordinated support.

The CHUV has inaugurated its Centre du cancer de la vessie, the eleventh interdisciplinary oncology center within its network. Opened in June 2025, the new center aims to improve care quality and safety for bladder cancer patients by combining cutting-edge surgery, innovative therapies, and a structured rehabilitation pathway.

Bladder cancer affects around 1,300 people annually in Switzerland. Known for its high recurrence rate and clinical complexity, the disease often requires long-term monitoring and multimodal treatment. The CHUV center integrates surgery, systemic therapies (including immunotherapy and chemotherapy), and, when necessary, radiotherapy—all coordinated through a weekly tumor board that brings together specialists from urology, oncology, radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, and nursing.

“The complexity of bladder cancer requires close collaboration across disciplines,” said Dr. Ilaria Lucca, interim head of CHUV’s urology service and medical director of the new center. “This model improves both medical decision-making and the patient experience.”

Each patient is assigned a dedicated nurse to coordinate care and provide individualized guidance from diagnosis to recovery. Patients also benefit from a multidisciplinary consultation, where they can discuss treatment options in a single session with a urologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and nurse specialist—ensuring transparent communication and shared decision-making.

Accelerating access to innovation while advancing cancer research

CHUV is certified in highly specialized medicine (MHS) for cystectomy, one of the most complex urological surgeries. The procedure includes full bladder removal and reconstruction of the urinary tract. Patients follow an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol designed to reduce complications and speed up recovery, with support from nutritionists, physiotherapists, and stomatherapists.

Beyond clinical care, the center contributes to clinical research and medical training, advancing innovation in oncology and sharing best practices with healthcare professionals.

“This new center reflects CHUV’s commitment to combining hyperspecialization with patient-centered care,” said Prof. Solange Peters, head of CHUV’s medical oncology service. “By uniting all necessary expertise under one roof, we accelerate access to innovation while advancing cancer research.”