Contact

The GITZ – an independent association.

At the Gastrointestinal Tumor Network Zurich (GITZ), we communicate among experts at eye level. We hold constructive and targeted discussions at the weekly tumor board. There is also room for differences of opinion here, as we together pursue the goal of giving those affected the best possible treatment recommendation.

The GITZ is an independent association, which makes targeted use of synergies. We share the visceral oncology tumor board with the Klinik Hirslanden. The GITZ tumor board is every Tuesdays at 5pm. The income from the GITZ tumor board flows into the association’s assets, which we use, for example, to fund projects such as case finding for pancreatic cancer and organ preservation in rectal cancer, the creation of Swiss treatment guidelines (GIOS, Gastrointestinal Oncology Standards), studies or further training.

Case registration at the tumor board

To register a treatment case, regular referrers need a HIN-ID and access to our HIN-Medical Board. For single referrals or if you do not have access, we offer an uncomplicated registration option. It is possible for us to register the case for you and/or present it to the tumor board on your behalf (please contact us at tumorboard@gitz.ch). We can also connect you by telephone. We will gladly handle cancer registry submissions directly through the GITZ.

Further trainings

Tumorboard Fortbildung:Hepato-Pancreatic

Di. 29. September 2026
17.45 bis 18:30 Uhr

Anmelden

Anmeldeformular Tumorboard-FortbildungHep-Panc 29. September 2026

Fortbildung: TBF

Referent: tbd

Veranstaltungsort:

Videokonferenzraum Klinik im Park, 1. UG
Seestrasse 247
8038 Zürich

Oder Online
(Link folgt nach Anmeldung)

Credits:

SGAIM, SGG, SGMO, SRO, SGC werden mit je 1 Credit angefragt

Sponsoren:

Ongoing studies, registries, guidelines…

Only research can drive the development of gastrointestinal medicine. The GITZ therefore supports the conduct of studies in this field.

The aim of this study is to determine whether an individualised chemotherapy approach — based on prior testing of multiple drugs on the living tumour cells of each individual patient — is more effective than standardised chemotherapy (where all patients receive the same medication). The study is open to both newly diagnosed patients and those who have already undergone treatment but whose initial medications are no longer effective. We hope to achieve fewer side effects (as ineffective drugs can be avoided) and potentially even improved treatment outcomes. However, this cannot be guaranteed.

For more information, please watch the video or contact the study director, Prof. Dr. Jan Schmidt: jan.schmidt@hirslanden.ch

Update November 2025: Recruitment for the BEMARA study has been discontinued, which will lead to the subsequent closure of the study. This decision was made by IKF and study director Prof. Lorenzen on the advice of Amgen, who terminated the Phase III FORTITUDE-102 study due to insufficient efficacy of bemarituzumab.

With immediate effect, we are pleased to offer an excellent first-line therapeutic option within our tumour network for previously untreated patients with primarily metastatic — that is, already advanced — gastric and oesophageal cancer at the gastro-oesophageal junction. The FORTITUDE-102 study enables us to administer a combined immuno-antibody chemotherapy (nivolumab, bemarituzumab and FOLFOX) to patients with specific tumour alterations. This represents a highly promising strategy with considerable potential. We encourage the low-threshold referral of patients matching the above profile, are available at any time for queries, and look forward to a productive collaboration.

For further information, please contact the study director Dr. Saskia Hendrich directly: saskia.hendrich@ozh.ch

The GUIDE.MRD study investigates how circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in blood tests can be used to determine whether early-stage cancer patients require additional treatment — such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy — to address minimal residual disease (MRD) and prevent relapse. The study focuses on the following:

  1. Comparison of three ctDNA tests to detect MRD following curative surgery or therapy.
  2. Early detection of relapse through ctDNA analysis after surgery.
  3. Identification of the earliest time point at which ctDNA can be detected in early-stage colorectal cancer.
  4. Assessment of the suitability of small blood volumes (so-called “blood spots”) for ctDNA detection.

Over the course of the study, up to 12 blood samples will be collected over a maximum of 36 months, beginning before or after surgery. The aim is to establish whether ctDNA testing can help avoid unnecessary treatments and ensure that additional therapy is recommended only to those patients who will genuinely benefit from it.

Inclusion criteria

  • Colon or rectal cancer, clinical tumour stage I–III
  • Patient aged 18 years or older
  • Patient able to understand and sign written informed consent
  • Scheduled for curative-intent resectional surgery (including “compromised” curative resections)

Exclusion criteria

  • Hereditary colorectal cancer linked to familial colonic polyposis or Lynch syndrome
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
  • Verified distant metastases
  • Malignant colorectal polyps diagnosed after polypectomy
  • Patients unlikely to comply with the protocol (e.g. uncooperative attitude, inability to return for subsequent visits) and/or otherwise considered by the investigator to be unlikely to complete the study

For further information, please contact the study director Dr. Daniel Helbling directly: daniel.helbling@ozh.ch

With the consent of patients, GITZ documents the clinical courses of individuals with rectal cancer whose organ has not been surgically removed. This data contributes to the international IWWD register (International Watch & Wait Database for Rectal Cancer). The aim of the IWWD is to collect both retrospective and prospective data in order to better understand the risks and benefits of organ-preserving therapies. The findings of these surveys are regularly published in renowned specialist journals.

For further information, please contact Dr. Daniel Helbling: daniel.helbling@ozh.ch

The GastroIntestinal Oncology Standards (GIOS) were first published in 2023 and are updated annually to reflect the specific conditions and requirements of the Swiss healthcare landscape. The aim is to establish uniform GI guidelines across Switzerland that serve as a practical reference tool in everyday clinical practice. Our GIOS are distinguished from other guidelines by their schematic presentation, which makes them considerably easier to use in practice.

FUDR stands for floxuridine, a medication used in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) as part of intra-arterial chemotherapy. A specialised pump is implanted directly in the liver to deliver the drug in a targeted manner, thereby increasing efficacy and reducing side effects. This innovative approach requires a high degree of interdisciplinary collaboration and has proven particularly effective in the treatment of liver cancer. The FUDR pump is exclusively available within our GITZ network across Europe, making it a truly unique treatment option.

For more information about FUDR, please watch this video or contact PD Dr. Christian Oberkofler: christian.oberkofler@vivevis.ch