Timișoara, Romania – The OncoHelp Center in Timișoara has been accredited as a Center of Expertise in Rare Diseases for oncopredisposing syndromes, according to announcements made this week by Radio Reșița and the association itself via Facebook.
The center, coordinated by the OncoHelp Association, brings together specialists from a range of medical disciplines including general surgery, gastroenterology, pathology, plastic surgery, dermatology, gynecology, cardiology, medical imaging, nephrology, neurology, urology, and medical genetics. The aim is to provide an integrated approach to patients, eliminating the need for them to navigate multiple hospitals without clear direction, stated Dr. Iulia Perva, a medical geneticist at OncoHelp.
Oncopredisposing syndromes are caused by inherited genetic mutations that affect the body’s ability to control cell development and maintain genetic integrity. These mutations can increase the risk of cancers such as breast, ovarian, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, among others. Approximately one in 25 people may carry such a syndrome, and around 10 percent of cancer patients have a hereditary predisposition, according to information released by the center.
“Screening means more than occasional tests,” Dr. Perva explained. “It means periodic check-ups, targeted imaging investigations, genetic testing where indicated, and personalized surveillance protocols. All of these increase the chances of an early diagnosis of a neoplasm and, implicitly, of a much more effective intervention.”
The center’s accreditation focuses on syndromes such as Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and familial adenomatous polyposis, which are among the most well-known genetic syndromes associated with an increased cancer risk. Identifying a predisposition does not guarantee the development of cancer, but indicates a higher risk.
Patients at the OncoHelp Center also have access to psychological support. The team of specialists was selected from multiple hospitals in Timișoara to facilitate the integrated approach.
