The Anatomical Pathology Department is responsible for analysing tumours sent to it by the Institut Jules Bordet, the CHU St-Pierre and the Ixelles and Molière IRIS SUD hospitals. It is a reference centre in various fields, including the diagnosis of breast, gynaecological, digestive, urogenital, pulmonary, soft tissue and head and neck cancers and lymphomas.
The Department analyses:
- operative specimens removed during surgical procedures
- biopsies
- cytological samples (smears, etc)
- blood samples for specific cytogenetic examinations (traditional karyotypes for the diagnosis and monitoring of leukaemia and molecular genetic techniques in order to provide prognostic factors).
The Department operates to the ISO 15189 standard.
The Anatomical Pathology Department comprises several areas of special expertise that enable it to provide high quality characterisation of tissue and blood products affected by cancer:
- Macroscopy
- Histology
- Cytology
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular biology
- Cytogenetics
- Quality Assurance Cell
- Tumour bank.
The process is as follows: when a solid tumour is resected during an operation, it is immediately sent to the Macroscopy section where the diseased part is removed and cut into thin slices after embedding in paraffin. These fine layers of tumour are then placed on glass slides and stained with various special dyes for microscopic examination by pathologists. If necessary, additional analyses may be requested. In this case, the Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Biology sections may carry out more sophisticated analyses to determine specific antigens or the expression of particular genes. This additional information provides valuable indicators for personalised treatment of the disease.
A range of innovative techniques have been developed to improve characterisation of cancer.
For example:
- The Genomic Grade of a tumour is based on tumour gene expression analysis. The process involves identifying “gene signatures” that help to guide the type and burden of treatment as well as prognosis of the tumour. Our laboratory has the expertise to carry out and interpret these types of tests, which were developed in the Institut’s research laboratories.
- Other techniques, such as extemporaneous immunohistochemical staining, are used to assist surgeons during operations. For example, during excision of the first lymph nodes close to a breast tumour (sentinel node technique), immediate immunohistochemical analyses can be carried out. The results will show whether or not the nodes contain cancer cells and thus help limit lymph node removal to only those areas where needed.
Within the Institut Bordet, our main teaching mission involves the training of doctors: dissection of operative specimens, microscopic interpretation of samples and clinical autopsies under the supervision of a senior doctor. In addition, various doctors from the Department are involved in the organisation of courses in Belgium and abroad.
Pathologists at the Institut Bordet are also associated with the European TASTE (Telepathological ASsessment of histopathological and cytological Technique) project aimed at developing an innovative telepathology system using ICT (Information and Communication Technology), including a technology platform, an image database and high quality slides.
For further information visit: www.tasteproject.eu/
The Bordet Institute's Anatomical Pathology Department acquires a latest generation slide scanner
Thanks to funding of more than 105,000 euros from the Jules Bordet Association, the Institute's Anatomical Pathology Department recently acquired a latest generation histological slide scanner. This acquisition will enrich the department's digital pathology platform as it commits further to the pursuit of its triple mission of care, research and innovation for the benefit of patients.
The Jules Bordet Institute's Anatomical Pathology Department acquires laser microdissection technology
Since its creation, the Jules Bordet Institute has been devoted to understanding, treating and fighting cancer. The recent acquisition of high precision laser microdissection technology reflects this mission and will make it possible to refine our knowledge of the heterogeneity of tumours and of the tumour microenvironment. Another boost for Research, made possible thanks to the generous support of the Jules Bordet Association.
Research projects
The Anatomical Pathology Department actively collaborates with research teams at the Institut Bordet as part of translational research. In addition, numerous multicentre clinical studies (EORTC, BIG, etc) are coordinated from an anatomopathological viewpoint by the Department which has thus become a central reference laboratory. We are also conducting more specific projects, including:
Project 1
Optimisation of preanalytic stages for sequencing. Influence of the preanalytic stage on the detection of gene mutations via next-generation sequencing (NGS).
- Project leader : Denis Larsimont, Ligia Craciun, Sticca Tiberio
- Funding : Fonds Lambeau-Marteaux
Project 2
Quality control by infrared spectroscopy. Analysis of the quality and preservation (stability) of proteins from tumour bank frozen samples by infrared spectroscopy.
- Project leader : Ligia Craciun
- Collaboration : ULB, BBMRI
Project 3
Liquid biopsies. Tumour bank extension to blood/plasma samples thanks to the funding of plasma stabilising tubes by Les Amis de l’IJB. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of tumour DNA in plasma.
- Project leader : Ligia Craciun
- Collaboration : OECI
- Funding : «Association Jules Bordet»
Project 4
Analysis of intra- and peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate in patients who have undergone surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma after intra-arterial radio-embolization.
- Project leader : Denis Larsimont
- Collaboration : Surgery dpt, Institut Jules Bordet
Project 5
CEA and ctDNA, post-surgery prognostic factors of primary and hepatic metastatic colorectal cancers.
- Project leader : Denis Larsimont
- Collaboration : Surgery dpt, Oncological Gastro-enterology dpt
Updating : 04/2021
Our team
Pathologists
- Pr D. Larsimont, (Head of Department)
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 31 15
- Dr M. Chintinne (Molecular Biology and Sequencing)
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 30 04
- Dr D. d’Olne, Consultant
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 33 13
- Dr N. de Saint Aubain (immunohistochemistry)
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 31 19
- Dr R. de Wind (Cytology)
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 30 34
- Prof. P. Demetter (Head of Clinic)
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 36 98
- Dr M. Gomez Galdon (Macroscopy)
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 33 13
- Dr P. Heimann (Cytogenetic)
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 31 44
- Dr N. Sirtaine (Histology)
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 31 02
- Dr L. Verset (Head of Clinic ajunct)
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 33 94
- Dr I. Mariz, PG
Tel : +32 (0)2 541 34 99
- Dr J. Fallas, PG
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 34 99
Secretariat
- Permanence (Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 73 23)
- Joëlle Vanderheyde, Secretary
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 31 05
Quality Cell
- Ioanna Laïos
Tel : + 32 (0)2 541 73 10
Clinical Studies
- Dr Sc L. Craciun, Coordinator
Tel :+ 32 (0)2 541 72 16
Tumour bank
Dr Sc L. Craciun, Coordinator
A. Spinette
17/12/2021
Scientific publications
The Prognostic Value of Distinct Histological Growth Patterns of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases: A Pilot Study.
Authors : El Asmar A, Demetter P, Fares F, Sclafani F, Hendlisz A, Donckier V, Vermeulen P, Liberale G
Year : 2023
Journal : Ann Surg Oncol
Tumor biology reflected by histological growth pattern is more important than surgical margin for the prognosis of patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases.
Authors : Bohlok A, Inchiostro L, Lucidi V, Vankerckhove S, Hendlisz A, Van Laethem JL, Craciun L, Demetter P, Larsimont D, Dirix L, Vermeulen P, Donckier V
Year : 2023
Journal : Eur J Surg Oncol
Volume : 49
Pages : 217-224
Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma comprises morphologic and genomic heterogeneity impacting outcome.
Authors : Veloza L, Cavalieri D, Missiaglia E, Ledoux-Pilon A, Bisig B, Pereira B, Bonnet C, Poullot E, Quintanilla-Martinez L, Dubois R, Llamas-Gutierrez F, Bossard C, de Wind R, Drieux F, Fontaine J, Parrens M, Sandrini J, Fataccioli V, Delfau-Larue MH, Daniel A, Lhomme F, Clément-Filliatre L, Lemonnier F, Cairoli A, Morel P, Glaisner S, Joly B, El Yamani A, Laribi K, Bachy E, Siebert R, Vallois D, Gaulard P, Tournilhac O, de Leval L
Year : 2023
Journal : Haematologica
Volume : 108
Pages : 181-195
ASO Visual Abstract: The Prognostic Value of Distinct Histological Growth Patterns of Colorectal Peritoneal Metastases-A Pilot Study.
Authors : El Asmar A, Demetter P, Fares F, Sclafani F, Hendlisz A, Donckier V, Vermeulen P, Liberale G
Year : 2023
Journal : Ann Surg Oncol
PIK3CA copy number gain and inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in triple-negative breast cancer.
Authors : Amato O, Buisseret L, Gebhart G, Plouznikoff N, Larsimont D, Awada A, Piccart M, Aftimos P
Year : 2023
Journal : Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud