Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (IEO)

The Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (IEO, European Institute of Oncology) is one of Europe's most prestigious comprehensive cancer centers, located in Milan, Italy. Founded in 1994 by the visionary oncologist Professor Umberto Veronesi, who championed breast-conserving surgery worldwide, IEO was conceived as an integrated center combining cancer treatment, research, and prevention. With 300 beds and over 1,800 employees, the institute treats approximately 12,000 inpatients and performs over 8,000 cancer surgeries annually. IEO holds JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation and is designated as an IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Italy's highest recognition for clinical research institutions. The institute has been consistently ranked among the top cancer centers in Europe and is known for its pioneering contributions to oncological surgery, radiation therapy, and cancer biology. Oncology is IEO's exclusive mission, with every aspect of the institution organized around the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. The institute's multidisciplinary approach ensures that each patient's treatment plan is developed by a team of medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation therapists, pathologists, radiologists, and supportive care specialists. Surgical Oncology at IEO is internationally renowned, particularly for breast cancer surgery. The institute has been at the forefront of breast-conserving surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy, intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT), and oncoplastic breast reconstruction. Beyond breast cancer, IEO performs advanced surgical oncology for cancers of the lung, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, prostate, gynecological organs, head and neck, and soft tissues. Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgical techniques are standard practice. Radiation Therapy at IEO utilizes cutting-edge technology including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), and brachytherapy. IEO pioneered the use of IORT during breast cancer surgery, delivering a concentrated dose of radiation to the tumor bed during the operation, reducing the need for multiple post-surgical radiation sessions. Chemotherapy and Medical Oncology services provide standard chemotherapy protocols as well as targeted molecular therapy, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors, hormone therapy, and novel combination regimens. The medical oncology department manages patients across all cancer types and stages. Breast Cancer is IEO's signature program, with the institute being one of the world's largest and most experienced breast cancer treatment centers. The Breast Program integrates screening, diagnosis, surgery, radiation, medical oncology, genetic counseling, and survivorship care. Gastrointestinal Cancer services address cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and biliary system with multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Lung Cancer treatment encompasses screening, diagnosis, surgical resection (including VATS and robotic surgery), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy. Robotic Surgery using the Da Vinci system is utilized for urological, gynecological, thoracic, and general surgical oncology procedures. Immunotherapy research and clinical application is a major focus at IEO, with the institute participating in numerous international clinical trials evaluating novel immunotherapy agents and combinations. Clinical Trials are central to IEO's mission, with the institute participating in over 250 active clinical trials at any given time, providing patients access to the latest investigational therapies that may not be available elsewhere. International patients are drawn to IEO for its world-class cancer expertise and Italy's more accessible pricing compared to other European countries. The International Patient Office provides services in English, French, German, Arabic, Russian, and Spanish, including personalized treatment planning, second opinion consultations, visa assistance, accommodation arrangements, and post-treatment follow-up. Treatment costs at IEO are typically 30-50% lower than comparable cancer centers in Switzerland or the United States. IEO is located in Milan, approximately 25 minutes from Milan Linate Airport.