Instituto Valenciano de Oncología (IVO)

Instituto Valenciano de Oncología (IVO), established in 1976, is Spain's premier dedicated cancer center and one of the few monographic oncology hospitals in Southern Europe. Located in Valencia, Spain's third-largest city, IVO operates 200 beds exclusively focused on cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. With ISO accreditation and nearly five decades of specialized oncology experience, IVO has treated hundreds of thousands of cancer patients and developed expertise that rivals the best cancer centers in Europe. The Oncology Department at IVO provides the full spectrum of cancer care under one roof. Medical oncology offers the latest systemic therapies including immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors, targeted molecular therapy guided by comprehensive genomic profiling, hormonal therapy, and conventional chemotherapy. The hospital participates in over 100 active clinical trials at any given time, providing patients access to experimental treatments including novel drug combinations, new immunotherapy approaches, and emerging precision medicine strategies. Radiation Therapy is one of IVO's most distinguished departments, equipped with multiple linear accelerators capable of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). The department also provides brachytherapy for cervical, endometrial, and prostate cancers. Treatment planning utilizes CT simulation, MRI fusion, and 4D CT for respiratory-gated treatments, ensuring maximum tumor targeting with minimal impact on healthy tissues. Surgical Oncology at IVO is performed by tumor-specialized surgeons who focus exclusively on cancer surgery. Services include breast cancer surgery with oncoplastic reconstruction, colorectal cancer surgery with total mesorectal excision, lung cancer surgery including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), head and neck cancer surgery with reconstruction, urological cancer surgery, and gynecological cancer surgery. Multidisciplinary tumor boards review all surgical cases to ensure optimal timing and approach. Robotic Surgery using the da Vinci system enhances precision in urological cancer procedures (radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy), gynecological oncology (radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer), and colorectal cancer surgery. The robotic platform enables minimally invasive approaches that reduce blood loss, pain, hospital stay, and recovery time. Gastroenterology at IVO focuses on gastrointestinal oncology, providing screening endoscopy, advanced diagnostic endoscopy with EUS, and surveillance programs for patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. Pulmonology manages lung cancer patients throughout their treatment journey, from initial bronchoscopic diagnosis through treatment monitoring and survivorship care. Dermatology focuses on skin cancer, including melanoma management with sentinel lymph node biopsy, Mohs micrographic surgery for non-melanoma skin cancers, and dermoscopic surveillance for high-risk patients. Urology provides comprehensive urological cancer care, from early-stage prostate cancer with active surveillance protocols through advanced metastatic disease management. Gynecology at IVO specializes in gynecological malignancies including cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, with fertility-sparing approaches available for selected young patients. Pain Management provides interventional pain procedures, medication management, and palliative care for cancer patients with complex pain syndromes. IVO's International Patient Services provide multilingual coordination in English, French, German, and Arabic, with assistance in treatment planning, appointment scheduling, accommodation in Valencia's affordable and pleasant environment, and post-treatment monitoring. Valencia offers excellent value for medical tourists, with treatment costs at IVO typically 40-60% lower than comparable cancer care in the United Kingdom, Germany, or the United States. The Mediterranean climate, outstanding cuisine, and cultural attractions make Valencia an ideal recovery destination. IVO's focused expertise, dedicated cancer infrastructure, and competitive pricing make it a compelling choice for international patients seeking specialized oncology care.