​The Department of Oncology takes care of the following solid tumour types:

  • Breast cancer 

  • Lung cancer

  • Head and neck tumours ​

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) tumours, both upper and lower GI-tumours 

  • Gynaecological tumours 

  • Urological tumours including testicular cancer Head and neck tumours 

  • Rare tumours including adrenocortical carcinoma and thymoma/thymic carcinoma​

  • CNS tumours 

The treatment modalities include all non-surgical oncological modalities focusing on cancer chemotherapy, biologically targeted drugs and radiotherapy. 

​Centre of Global Excellence

The Department of Oncology has received two Global Excellence awards. The Radiotherapy Unit received the award in 2010 and the department received the award in 2012. The Global Excellence award – established in close collaboration with the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark –was launched in order to highlight and acknowledge the hospital and university environments in the region that perform first-rate international level research leading to the development and implementation of new, pioneering healthcare services, treatment methods and products for the benefit of patients.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is cancer treatment with high doses of radiation. ​You find the Clinic for Radiotherapy ​​in Rigshopitalet's section 3981. 

Read the photo guide Radiotherapy and planning of your treatment here​.​

Read the guide ​How to talk to your child during your radiotherapy treatment​ and watch the movie ​about radiotherapy for children and their parents here.​​

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​​​Contact

Address:​
Department of Oncology
Section 5073​
Rigshospitalet
Blegdamsvej 9
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark

Research

The Department of Oncology is responsible for extensive clinical cancer research activity, and is also attached to the Laboratory of Radiobiology; a research laboratory responsible for both animal testing and clinically related (translational) oncological research.


The clinical research and development activities of the department primarily comprise Phase I, II and III trials in solid tumours, and such trials are often linked to clinically related laboratory studies. 

​Department of Oncology has ​a dedicated unit for Phase I and early Phase II trials. Read more about Phase I Unit.​


The Department of Oncology participates in a number of oncological research assignments at regional, national and international level, and is part of the Cancer Cooperative Group - a cooperative body working between the oncological centres at Rigshospitalet and Herlev, and the oncological departments in Hillerød, Næstved and Roskilde.

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 News from Rigshospitalet

Data from olaparib treated patients across histologies presented at Danske Kræftforskningsdage 2023

First surgical 'Nobel Prize' goes to Danish Professor

​​Professor Henrik Kehlet from Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet​ recei​ves a new, prestigious award ​in surgery for his lifelong work on patient care and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery(ERAS).

New study: a plant-based diet has an effect on your cholesterol level

​The hitherto largest study to investigate the effect of vegetarian and vegan diets shows that it is possible to reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol levels by up to 14 per cent by eating plant-based foods. A plant-based diet throughout life can reduce the risk of blood clots in the heart considerably.

More cancer patients can escape chemotherapy

​A paradigm shift is on the way in the treatment of chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL). From now on, targeted treatment could replace chemotherapy for most of the patients, according to new research.

DNA screening can save lives – new Danish method makes it 20-times cheaper

​Researchers have found the world’s cheapest method of screening large groups of people for rare genetic diseases. The method is now being tested in a large research project with support totalling DKK 36.7 mill. from Innovation Fund Denmark, Børnecancerfonden and the Novo Nordisk Foundation​

Stem cells give cancer patients their saliva back

Many people with cancer suffer damage to their salivary glands as a side effect of radiation therapy. Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet now hope to be able to restore patients’ saliva function with a promising stem cell treatment.

New project to measure Alzheimer's and Parkinson's via the ear

​Serious brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are usually diagnosed too late for optimal benefit from available drug and non-drug treatments. A new research project will develop and test a scalable home health care technology that could have a major impact on early detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of both diseases.

Presentation at European Lung Cancer Congress

​Martin Højgaard presented data under the title “Efficacy and ctDNA analysis in an updated cohort of patients with TRK fusion lung cancer treated with Larotrectinib” at European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC)

New germline pathogenic variants identified in mesothelioma patients

​A newly published study revealed a high frequency of germline pathogenic variants in patients with mesothelioma including variants in two genes not previously associated with mesothelioma. The data support germline testing in these patients to identify potential actionable targets and genetic counseling.​​

Immunotherapy for endometrial cancer shows impressive results

​Far fewer died or experienced a deterioration in their endometrial cancer after receiving a new immunotherapy treatment as well as chemotherapy in an extensive trial. The researchers assess that the treatment could mean a full recovery for some patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.