1
November 2018
193  
2018
8
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 
80 years
Celebration, marking the 80
th
 anniversary 
of the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, 
is under the honorary patronage of 
His Excellency Mr Borut Pahor, 
President of the Republic of Slovenia. 

2 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018

3
 5 Introduction
 
9
 From the beginning to today 
 10 Important historical milestones 
 14 Directors of IO
 14 Management and organisation of IO today
 
15
 Development through connection
 17 Epidemiology and Cancer Registry
 18 National Cancer Control Programme (DPOR)
 19 Cervical Cancer Screening Programme ZORA
 20 DORA Screening Programme for Breast Cancer
 21 Care for patients
 24 Education
 25 Research
 26 Clinical trials
 27 Cooperation with the civil society 
 29 International cooperation of IO 
 
31
 Presentation of main clinical activities
 32 Diagnostics
 39 Division of Surgery
 41 Division of Medical Oncology 
 43 Division of Radiotherapy
 45 Joint health services
 51 Division of Nursing and Care for Patients
 52 Pharmacy
 
53
 IO in numbers
Content

4 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018

5
Introduction

6 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Since its establishment 80 years ago, the Institute of Oncology (IO) has transformed 
into the national centre of oncology for the comprehensive treatment of cancer 
patients in Slovenia. Since its beginnings in the 19th century, the Institute has been 
led by many deserving people who have integrated their visons and ideas of how to 
comprehensively treat cancer patients. Among them, I would especially like to praise 
Prof. Dr. Ravnihar, who has during her 20-year period at IO, achieved that Institute 
became a modern centre, on the national as well as international levels, by setting 
up laboratories, introducing different diagnostic procedures, and being aware of the 
importance of a multidisciplinary approach in oncology. 
Today, the Institute represents an important centre of oncology in its region. With 
numerous international connections, the Institute takes part in international 
networks of oncology centres. The Institute also acts as a learning base for many 
faculties and schools, it provides courses for physicians and other health care 
personnel, organises professional and scientific symposia, and is also the main 
research institution for pre-clinical and clinical research in the field of oncology. In 
this field, IO has exceptional researchers who publish articles in the most renowned 
and prestigious scientific journals.
IO closely cooperates with representatives of different cancer patient societies, which 
further strengthens its role as the main institute in the field of oncology in the 
country. In the future, we will continue to treat these societies as important partners 
in pursuit of our mission. 
I believe that if we stay on this course, we will continue to successfully achieve our 
set goals and keep up with the global trends in cancer treatment, co-creating them 
for the wellbeing of all our patients.
Zlata Štiblar Kisić, LL. B
Director General of IO
 

7
Today, in all fields, also in oncology, we emphasise a high level of specialisation 
of professionals, both in health care and in the services that complement the 
comprehensive treatment of cancer patients. 
Because the basic mission of IO is a comprehensive treatment of patients, our priority 
task and direction is to connect all segments that cooperate in the treatment of 
patients in a multidisciplinary manner.
We successfully implement this by monitoring the newest findings and introducing 
new types and forms of diagnostic examinations and treatments at the same time as 
they are being introduced in other parts of the world. We can also point out the newest 
tumour radiation techniques, the introduction of different new targeted treatments 
and immunotherapies, and the newest surgical approaches. In the field of diagnostics, 
we also follow international trends. We assimilated the methods for determining 
different molecular markers that show if a tumour will react to a treatment with a 
certain targeted drug, which is an important step towards treatments adapted to 
individual patients or so-called personalised medicine. Such treatments are more 
patient-friendly, cause less stress, and are more effective, all of which contributes to a 
better life quality of patients.
With the mentioned approaches, and others, we are contributing to the fact that 
cancer mortality in Slovenia is decreasing. Of course, this is also the result of successful 
cancer prevention, which includes raising public awareness as well as introducing and 
consistently implementing screening programmes that enable the detection of cancer 
in its early stages and, consequently, a more successful treatment.
If we consider the development of oncology in the last 30 years, we can see an 
immense progress in diagnostics and cancer treatment that enabled the realisation 
of the concept of patient-centred treatment. We can only imagine how quick the 
development in the following decades will be. In any case, a lot of effort and financial 
assets will need to be invested in following the global trends.
However, it is true that development does not depend on technological advancements 
alone, but also on all the employees who with their enthusiasm, high-quality and 
selfless work, knowledge, and experience contribute to the high level of quality that 
we achieve in all fields of cancer patient treatment.
Viljem Kovač, MD, PhD
Medical Director of IO
Introduction

8 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
The treatment of cancer patient is multidisciplinary, which is why IO is organised and 
functions as the national centre of oncology for comprehensive cancer treatment.
To ensure the best possible treatment and care for cancer patients, we strive towards a 
higher quality of life and health care. Additionally, we are also among the best centres of 
oncology in Europe in the field of cancer research and education. 
We follow the values that are the foundation of our development strategy:
Patient wellbeing is a key value. We treat the patient comprehensively, considering all 
their aspects and their own value system and dignity.
Good mutual relationships that reduce the influence of stress factors to which we are 
exposed in our field of work, and that at the same time enable an unselfish transfer 
of knowledge among colleagues. They are based on the integrity of individuals, their 
responsibility, and honesty. 
Excellence appears in the high level of expertise guided by constant trainings, in the 
obligation to comply with international guidelines and standards in the field of patient 
treatment, and in the effort to achieve the highest possible level of quality and safety.
The fundamental mission of IO is to limit the burden of cancer in Slovenia as much as 
possible. As a tertiary institution, we try to reduce the increasing rate of cancer incidence, 
decrease cancer mortality, increase the survival rate of cancer patients, and improve the 
quality of their lives.
The vision of IO is to remain the leading institution in the field of oncology in Slovenia, 
and hold its place among the leading centres of oncology in Europe.
To achieve our vision, we follow our set goals in all our fields and activities: 
In the professional field, IO’s goal is to continue with the multidisciplinary approach for 
the comprehensive treatment of cancer patients and to ensure a consistent development 
of all professions in oncology, both of which ensure that IO will continue performing the 
function of a comprehensive centre of oncology on the national level in the future. Another 
important goal is to constantly update the guidelines (recommendations) and to determine 
the minimum standards in diagnostics and treatment in the field of oncology in Slovenia, as 
this is necessary to ensure consistent approaches in detecting and treating malignant diseases 
on the secondary level in the country. It is also our goal to strengthen our international 
connections, cooperation, and exchange of professionals in all fields of expertise. 
In the field of education, IO’s goal is to stay a reference national learning institute for both 
Faculties of Medicine in the country, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and other faculties and 
schools at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and to establish itself as a recognised 
international educational institution for all fields of expertise in oncology. 
In the field of research, IO’s goal is to expand and improve the coordination of research 
work in the field of oncology in Slovenia, and to cooperate on European research projects. 
In the field of financing, IO’s goal is to ensure sufficient assets that will enable financial 
stability and further development, and at the same time increase the influence on the 
decisions regarding the distribution of assets in health care for the benefit of oncology. 
Another goal is to establish a system that will enable fund gathering outside of the 
guaranteed assets (contract with ZZZS) from public sources, i.e. marketing of health services.
In the field of premises and equipment, our goal is to complete both planned construction 
phases and to acquire and maintain a suitable medical equipment that will be replaced 
with new and modern equipment when necessary.
Values
Mission
Vision
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

9
From the beginning to today 

10 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
With the Decree of the Drava 
Banovina, the Institute for 
Research and Treatment of 
Neoplasms of Drava Banovina 
is established. 
1937 
1951
Introduction of cancer 
treatment with cytostatics or 
systemic cancer therapies. 
1940 1950
1952
Multidisciplinary work is 
made possible by intensive 
developments of specialist  
and research activities and  
the establishment of team 
medical councils. 
Important historical milestones 
1946
Institute is 
renamed to 
Organisation 
for Oncology of 
Clinical Hospitals. 
1947
Establishment of the 
Department of Oncology and 
Radiotherapy at the Faculty of 
Medicine in Ljubljana. 
1948
Institute is renamed to 
Institute for Oncology  
of Clinical Hospitals.
1950
Order on the obligatory 
recording of malignant 
diseases is issued and 
The Cancer Registry of 
Slovenia is established. 
The first patients are admitted 
to the refurbished premises 
of the barracks in Šempeter 
on 1 August 1938. In its first 
year, the Institute has 28 beds 
for patients and admits 718 
patients for treatment. 
1938

11
1961
1964
1976
The institute becomes an 
independent institution 
with the Decision by the 
People’s Republic of Slovenia 
on the Establishment of 
the Institute of Oncology 
Ljubljana.
The institute receives the title 
of a research institution – 
Registration in the Registry of 
Research Institutions.
Beginning of cooperation 
in international clinical 
studies. 
1960 1970 1980
IO becomes a full member 
of OECI – Organization of 
European Cancer Institutes.
1979
From the beginning to today 

12 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
1990
1997
Beginning of the construction of the new 
part of the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana.
Institute begins to publish the journal 
Oncology.
2000
1999
This first patient is treated using 
stereotactic radiosurgery. 
Establishment of the Unit for 
Clinical Research.
Introduction of stereotactic 
radiosurgery – the SRS system 
has been in development at the 
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 
since 1996 and it is presented as 
one of the greatest achievements 
of Slovenian medicine at the 
Technical Museum of Slovenia. 
The first treatment of rectal 
cancer with total mesorectal 
excision in Slovenia.
2001
Medical oncology 
is recognised as an 
independent specialisation. 
Introduction of 3D-conformal radiation 
therapy as well as portal imaging and 
dosimetry protocols in accordance 
with the recommendation of the 
International Atomic Energy Agency.
2002
Organisation of the population-based 
cervical cancer screening programme 
(ZORA NP).
2003
The first surgical pelvic clearance and 
reconstruction of the pelvic floor.
2004
1996
Establishment of the Association 
for Surgical Oncology at the 
Slovenian Medical Association 
that also becomes a member 
of ESSO (European Society of 
Surgical Oncology)
By a decision of the Ministry of 
Health, the Institute of Oncology 
Ljubljana becomes the clinical 
institute of oncology for a period 
of five years, which is renewed 
on a regular basis. 
Introduction of biological systemic treatment.
The first sentinel lymph node biopsy is 
performed in Slovenia.
1998
Introduction 
of targeted 
drugs.
2000
1983
Establishment of the Department 
of Psychooncology – the 
comprehensive treatment of 
cancer patients is supplemented 
with psycho-oncological support 
for patients and their family 
members.
Establishment of the Section  
of Nurses in Oncology  
(at Nurses Association of Slovenia)
1987

13
In vivo dosimetry becomes part of the routine.
Establishment of the Department 
of Experimental Oncology and the 
Department of Molecular Diagnostics.
2005
At the beginning of October, the majority of the 
departments are relocated from Building A to  
new premises in Buildings D and E.
Introduction of hybrid imaging diagnostics at 
the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana: PET/CT with 
18-F-FDG. 
Establishment of the Department of Acute 
Palliative Care.
Introduction of surgical treatment of liver 
metastases.
The first peritonectomy and 
intraoperative chemotherapy with 
hyperthermia (HIPEC) in Slovenia.
Confirmation of oncological genetic 
consulting and testing activities by the 
Health Council.
Establishment of the Department of 
Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy.
Introduction of the National Screening 
Programme for Breast Cancer – DORA.
2009
Accreditation IO ESMO – Centre of 
excellence for palliative care.
The Department of Laboratory 
Diagnostics obtains a Licence of the 
Slovenian Ministry of Health based on 
the Rules on requirements to be met 
by laboratories performing laboratory 
medicine tests, which needs to be 
renewed every five years. 
The first isolated limb perfusion in 
Slovenia.
Introduction of the IMRT radiotherapy 
technique.
Introduction of liver 
electrochemotherapy for patients with 
colon cancer metastases in the liver. 
2010
Introduction and implementation 
of quality standards for the 
oncology pharmacy service.
2011
Introduction of immunotherapy 
with antibodies.
Introduction of the VMAT 
radiotherapy technique.
2013
In October 2011, the Division of Radiotherapy is assessed by 
professionals from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
Based on the results of the assessment, IAEA awards the division 
with the title of a competence centre in 2013. With this, the Division 
of Radiotherapy becomes internationally recognised in that it 
provides high-quality radiation treatment and that it can serve as 
a model and learning centre for other radiotherapy departments or 
centres in the country and region.
2014
Introduction of genetic testing in 
treatment planning of ovarian cancer.
2015
Acquisition of a second-generation DNA sequencer and 
introduction of this technology for identifying genetic 
DNA mutations from blood samples and for identifying 
sporadic DNA mutations in tumour samples. 
Introduction of hybrid imaging diagnostics at  
IO: SPECT/CT.
Implementation of a 10-colour flow cytometer enables 
reliable diagnosis of lymphoma and leukaemia in samples 
with few cells and identification of minimal residual 
disease in children with acute leukaemia.
2016
IO adopts the Strategic Plan 
for the 2016–2020 period.
2017
IO receives the international certificate of the AACI 
(American Accreditation Commission International) 
certification that confirms the compliance of the 
organisation with the requirements of the standard. 
The AACI certificate is an official confirmation that 
the employees at IO are providing the best possible 
care. Patients can feel safe because the quality of their 
treatment is at the highest level possible.
Expansion of the DORA programme to the whole country 
and the possibility for all Slovenian women aged between 
50 and 69 to be included.
IO becomes a member of the European Reference 
Network for Rare Adult Solid Cancers (ERN EURACAN) 
and European Reference Network on Genetic Tumor Risk 
Syndromes (ERN GENTURIS) and is actively included in 
different work groups.
IO becomes a member of the connection between China 
and Central and Eastern European countries in the field 
of hospitals China-CEEC-Country Hospital Cooperation 
Alliance.
Introduction of an IT system for supporting work in 
nursing and care.
2010
2006
2007
2008 
From the beginning to today 

14 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Directors of IO 
IO is an independent public health institution which offers health services at the secondary 
and tertiary levels, provides education, and conducts research. The Director General 
manages and organizes IO’s business, while the Medical Director manages the professional, 
research, and educational work at IO. In addition to that, the Medical Director also heads 
the Council of Experts which ensures the comprehensive treatment of cancer patients 
and a coordinated functioning of all organizational units. Business and administration are 
supervised by the Council of IO.
The Institute is managed by the Management which is in charge of all financial and legal 
affairs, as well as all affairs relating to human resources, planning and analysis, technical 
maintenance, public procurement, IT, and PR. Their work is essential in ensuring the 
transparency of operations that utilize public resources in order to provide comprehensive 
cancer treatment. The Management interoperates with all the professional activities 
carried out at the Institute, manages the supply of the material necessary for the provision 
of health services, and provides professional support in health care provision and various 
work processes. IO has one of the leanest management structures of all public health 
care institutions in Slovenia, which it has proved with on-going positive business results 
throughout the past seven years.
Assist. Prof. Josip Cholewa, MD, PhD
1938 - 1942
Prof. Leo Šavnik, PhD
1942 - 1945; 1948 - 1963
Prof. Josip Hebein, PhD
1945 - 1948
Prof. Božena Ravnihar, PhD
1963 - 1982
Prof. Stojan Havliček, PhD
1982
Prof. Stojan Plesničar, PhD
1982 - 1986
Prof. Zvonimir Rudolf, PhD
1986 - 1991; 1995 - 1999;
2003 - 2007
Matjaž Zwitter, MSc
1991 - 1995
Albert Peter Fras, MD, PhD
2000 - 2003
Aljoša Rojec, MSc
2007 - 2008
Ana Žličar  
2008 - 2013
Prim. Janez Remškar, MD 
2013 - 2015
Zlata Štiblar Kisić  
2015 - present
Management and organisation of IO today

15 OI od začetkov do danes
Development through connection

16 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
  
  Educational activities                                                                                      Health services 
Research activities
Even after 80 years, IO still has a unique role among Slovenian health, educational, 
and research institutions. As the only comprehensive centre of oncology with 
a modern, multidisciplinary, and highly professional approach, its mission 
encompasses comprehensive cancer patient management, comprehensive cancer 
care, and cancer control planning.
IO is the main specialised health institution for performing, managing, and monitoring 
cancer treatments in Slovenia. The Institute successfully accomplishes this task 
with its highly trained professionals that are constantly educating themselves and 
following all novelties in the field of cancer patient treatment. With its educational 
and counselling activities within IO and in the broader Slovenian region, the Institute 
has a key role in the transfer of knowledge. As a comprehensive centre of oncology, 
IO also has an important role in the field of research activities. It performs pre-
clinical and clinical trials in the field of diagnostics and cancer treatment with new, 
improved ways and methods. The three basic activities of the institute are inseparably 
intertwined and form a coherent whole, because each of the activities – professional, 
educational, and research-oriented – are irreplaceable. This connection represents 
the foundation of this Comprehensive Cancer Centre. The operation of IO is also 
connected to the broader society: different volunteer associations and societies with 
their needs and suggestions also contribute to how the development is planned and 
adjusted according to the needs of cancer patients and experts.
Three basic 
activities of 
the Institute of 
Oncology Ljubljana

17
Epidemiology and Cancer Registry
The Cancer Registry of the Republic of Slovenia (CRRS) is one of the oldest 
population-based cancer registries in Europe. It was founded at the Institute of 
Oncology Ljubljana in 1950 by the late Professor Božena Ravnihar, who headed 
it till 1975. She was succeeded by Professor Vera Pompe-Kirn, who contributed 
a lot to the further development of the CRRS as well as its recognition at 
the national and international levels, all until her retirement in 2003. Since 
2003, the CRRS has been merged with the Unit of Epidemiology into a single 
Epidemiology and Cancer Registry service. It was led by Maja Primic Žakelj 
until 2018. Besides the CRRS, the new service also comprises the hospital-based 
Cancer Registry of the IO, which contributes a considerable part of information 
to the CRRS and facilitates a more detailed overview of the patients treated at 
IO, irrespective of their permanent residence. In the last decade, a new national 
registry in charge of coordinating and monitoring the organised cervical 
cancer screening programme (Registry ZORA) has been established, while the 
information system to support organised breast screening program has been 
established in 2007 (Registry DORA). 
The data on cancer collected by the CRRS, namely the incidence, survival 
and prevalence, serve together with mortality data collected by the National 
Institute of Public Health of RS as the basis for assessing the cancer burden in 
the country. They are important for planning and evaluation of the National 
Cancer Control Plan (NCCP), in the field of primary and secondary prevention, 
diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation, for planning facilities, and funding 
needed for cancer control (personnel, equipment, and hospital capacities), as 
well as for clinical and epidemiological research in Slovenia, for international 
multicentric studies, and for evaluating the effectiveness of cancer screening 
programs. All the important cancer burden indicators have been available at 
our SLORA web portal since 2010. Further on, CRRS disseminates its results in 
the form of regular annual reports, period publications, and specific studies and 
research papers. The basic cancer burden indicators for Slovenia are gathered in 
the table below.  
Development through connection
Incidence            
number 11.460 6.055 5.405 14.309 7.844 6.465
per 100.000 population 570,6 614,2 528,5 693,6 767,1 621,3
cumulative* till year 75 36,9 45,4 30,2 39,5 47,8 32,4
Mortality            
number 5.252 2.918 2.334 6.216 3.484 2.732
per 100.000 population 261,5 296,0 228,2 301,3 340,7 262,6
Prevalence**            
number 66.987 27.317 39.670 10.2371 46.152 56.219
2006 
Total Men Women 
      
 
2015
Total Men Women 
      
 
Cancer burden in 
Slovenia in 2006  
and 2015
* Cumulative age standardised incidence is calculated per 100 inhabitants.
**On 31 December      

18 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
National Cancer Control Programme (DPOR)
A systemic and long-term reduction of the cancer burden is only possible with 
a comprehensive cancer control in the country. For that purpose, DPOR was 
established in 2010 and the first goals were set to be achieved by 2015. The result 
of this first programme is a slower rising rate of cancer occurrences, especially for 
women. The cancer mortality rate was reduced during this period for both sexes. 
The survival rate of cancer patients in Slovenia increased compared to previous 
periods. The DPRO document, prepared in 2016 in cooperation with numerous 
stakeholders, defines the strategic objectives of the programme for the reduction 
of incidence, improvement of survival, and a higher life quality of cancer patients 
for the period from 2017 to 2021. 
The strategic objectives of the programme can only be reached by harmonising 
the operation of all parts of the health system, which are in the specific 
programme objectives defined as the fields of primary and secondary prevention, 
diagnostics and treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care, research, education, 
monitoring of the burden of cancer, and information technology. To achieve each 
of these strategic objectives, measures, deadlines, and persons responsible were 
defined. 
DPOR 2017−2021 also defines a renewed and more operative programme 
management scheme that will enable a more transparent, competent, and 
professional steering of one of the most complex systems in the Slovenian health 
system. 
The promoter of the programme is the Ministry of Health of the Republic of 
Slovenia. IO and its professionals represent the driving force of the programme, of 
course in cooperation with other professionals in Slovenia.
With this programme, the country commits itself to providing high-quality care 
for cancer patients, which includes modern diagnostics and treatment and is most 
successful in the early stages of cancer. For this reason, there are three screening 
programmes for early cancer detection in Slovenia: the objective of the screening 
programmes is to identify pre-cancer or early cancer stages in seemingly healthy 
persons using simple examinations. These programmes have been justified 
by the experience of countries where these programmes have already been in 
place for a long time. At the secondary preventive level, the following screening 
programmes are carried out in Slovenia: ZORA (the programme for early detection 
of pre-cancer and early cancer changes of the cervix in women aged 20 to 64), 
DORA (the programme for early detection of breast cancer in women aged 50 
to 69), and SVIT (the programme for early detection of pre-cancer changes and 
colorectal cancer in women and men aged 50 to 74). With DORA, SVIT, and ZORA 
screening programmes, it is essential to actively encourage individual population 
to undergo the examinations and monitoring of certain programme indicators. 
These programmes can only be effective if at least 65 percent (SVIT) or 70 percent 
(DORA, ZORA) of the target population is included. 
IO is the promoter of the DORA and ZORA programmes, and the promoter of the 
SVIT programme is the National Institute of Public Health.

19
Cervical Cancer Screening Programme ZORA
Cervical cancer screening programmes have successfully reduced the incidence of and 
mortality from cervical cancer in several countries. Similar findings were identified 
in Slovenia after the implementation of the population-based, organised cervical 
cancer screening national programme (NP) ZORA. The NP ZORA was implemented 
in 2003 with conventional cytology in three-year screening intervals in women aged 
20–64. The programme is managed by the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, where the 
central screening registry is based. Since cervical cancer screening is implemented 
within the primary health care system, all Slovenian gynaecologists are involved 
in the programme, as well as nine cytopathology, eleven histopathology, and two 
laboratories for HPV testing. The programme was well accepted among the Slovenian 
women. The three-year coverage of the target population with a screening test is just 
above 70 percent, and its five-year coverage is just above 80 percent. 
Slovenia is among the European countries with the highest historical cervical cancer 
incidence rates, but is also among the countries with the most pronounced decline 
in cervical cancer incidence rates over time. After the implementation of the ZORA 
NP , cervical cancer incidence almost halved. The lowest age-standardised incidence 
rate (world standard) was reported in 2014 (6.8/100,000), and the lowest mortality 
rate in 2016 (1.7/100,000). These results place Slovenia among the European countries 
with the lowest cervical cancer incidence and mortality. However, this has not always 
been the case. During the first years after the implementation of the Cancer Registry 
of Republic of Slovenia, namely from 1962 to 1965, cervical cancer was the second 
most common cancer in women. The highest registered incidence in Slovenia was 
reported in 1962 (27.5/100,000), which is comparable to the cervical cancer incidence 
in Africa today. A recent European study published in 2015 showed that Slovenia is 
not only among the European countries with the historically highest incidence of 
cervical cancer, but also among the countries that offer organised screening and 
have managed to reduce this incidence to the greatest extent possible. Mortality 
rate reports are available from year 1985, when the age-standardised cervical cancer 
mortality rate was 5.4/100,000. 
Decrease in cervical cancer incidence in Slovenia is a result of efficient detection and 
treatment of pre-cancerous cervical lesions within the ZORA NP , and the reduction 
in mortality rate of cervical cancers patients is a result of cancer detection in early 
stages and more effective treatment. 
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1960       1965       1970       1975       1980       1985       1990       1995       2000       2005       2010       2015
Rate per 100.000
Incidence (world standard) 
Crude incidence
Mortality (world standard)
Crude mortality 
Crude and age-
standardised 
(world standard) 
incidence and 
mortality rates for 
cervical cancer, 
Slovenia, 1960–2015
Development through connection
Year

20 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
DORA Screening Programme for Breast Cancer
The DORA national breast cancer screening programme provides biennial 
mammography screening for women aged 50-69 years by sending personal 
invitations with fixed appointment. The programme is centralised with one 
managing, implementation, training and auditing unit at IO. The objective of the 
programme is to reduce breast cancer mortality in the target group by 25 to 30 
percent. Breast cancer is the leading cancer site in women. 
The rollout of the DORA programme started in 2008 in the central Slovenian 
region and has been gradually expanding ever since. In 2017, the programme 
reached an important milestone. In accordance with the Strategic Plan, new 
stationary screening centres were established in all regional units of the Health 
Insurance Institute of Slovenia (HIIS), and the programme became available to all 
Slovenian women aged 50 to 69. Screening mammography is now performed in all 
regional HIIS units, namely in DORA centres that are found in health institutions 
(hospitals and community health centres). Radiographers from IO also perform 
screening mammography in three mobile units of the DORA programme, found at 
different locations. Altogether, The DORA programme combines 20 full-field digital 
mammographs in screening units across Slovenia.
Since the beginning, the programme has taken a comprehensive approach to 
quality assurance as recommended in the European guidelines for quality assurance 
in breast cancer screening and diagnosis, 4th edition. All screening units work in 
accordance with unified standard operating procedures, and are subject to regular 
professional quality control. Additional examinations and screened-detected breast 
cancer treatment are currently performed only at the screening and diagnostic 
centre at IO in Ljubljana.
In 10 years, over 200,000 women have been invited to the DORA programme, 
screening mammography has been performed 350,000 times, and over 2,000 women 
have been diagnosed with breast cancer. In most of these cases, women were 
unable to palpate a tumour in the breast by themselves. The average participation 
rate in the DORA programme is 73 percent, which proves that the programme 
is well accepted and effective. In the Slovenian health system, the programme 
is recognised as a high-quality medical service that shows clearly measurable 
effects. This is made possible with regular employee trainings that are included 
in the programme, with coherent information technology, and a comprehensive 
quality assurance system. DORA, with its early detection and early treatment of 
cancer, provides a better treatment outcome and a higher quality of life of women 
diagnosed with breast cancer. Today, the DORA programme is also a good practice 
example for breast cancer screening programmes in both Europe and the world. 
Stationary screening 
units in the DORA 
programme
Ljubljana
 Slovenj Gradec
Domžale
Vrhnika
 Idrija
Kamnik
Kranj
 Litija
Maribor
Ptuj
Murska Sobota
Nova Gorica
Izola
Jesenice
Novo mesto
Postojna
Brežice
Celje
Trbovlje

21
 2008       2009       2010         2011        2012        2013         2014 2015 2016 2017
 1.654       3.281      9.884      19.794     25.121     25.695     32.588     39.745     57.012    69.534
Year
Number of 
screened 
women
Number of breast 
cancer cases 
diagnosed in the 
screening 
Number of women 
screened in the 
DORA programme, 
2008–2017
 13     28     79    143   201    163   187   249   372   436
Development through connection
Care for patients
The comprehensive care for cancer patients is only possible in specialised 
institutions like, for example, IO. Such care includes diagnostic and therapeutic 
patient treatment, and suitable health care during and after the treatment. For 
an effective treatment of the patient, additional specialised health activities are 
required that provide adequate support to the patient. These include dietary, 
psychological, and palliative care. At IO, all the above activities are connected and 
combined by specialised multidisciplinary teams, enabling all the patient’s needs 
to be are satisfied to the greatest possible extent.
Diagnostics
Existing diagnostic procedures are constantly upgraded and new procedures 
developed through technological advancements. IO is trying to the best of its 
abilities to follow these trends and regularly introduce new diagnostic procedures 
in molecular, pathological, cytopathological, imaging, and functional diagnostics. 
In molecular, pathological, and cytopathological diagnostics, new techniques 
and methods for better identification of different types and characteristics of 
tumours are being introduced. These procedures are also used for the recognition 
of specific molecular markers or targets in cells for the application of so-called 
targeted drugs. These drugs have an impact on the “target” within the cell, 
preventing specific activities of the tumour cell linked to its immortality. This 
enables tailored-made treatments for individual patients and their tumours, 

22 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Professional work
IO uses all the modern methods of oncological treatment: surgery, radiotherapy, and 
systemic treatment. The different types of treatment available at IO make sure that 
the patients are always, if so required, treated multi-modally. These treatments are 
all in accordance with modern principles and professional knowledge, and make 
use of state-of-the-art technology. Simultaneous support of diagnostic services 
makes it possible to control the planning and the implementation of treatment 
and monitoring of treatment efficiency. Of course, safe and effective treatment is 
only possible when providing a patient with top-quality care, which allows for the 
preservation of the patient’s human dignity, promoting their well-being in general. 
Treatment quality assurance
The growing knowledge of cancer and cancer treatment is increasing the already 
large amount of information. This is why specialisations in individual groups 
of professionals are inevitable. In the framework of the different oncology 
services, the demand for specialists in all the different, highly specific fields – e.g. 
specialists for blood cancers or different types of solid cancers – is on the rise
The optimal cancer treatment must be performed in accordance with the 
modern guidelines. In Slovenia, it is up to IO to prepare and regularly update 
these guidelines in cooperation with other partner institutions that treat cancer 
patients. 
IO also creates new and updates the current clinical pathways that determine 
the procedure (protocol of activity) at a certain point in cancer patient treatment 
when dealing with a certain health situation.
Clinical trials that are conducted at IO enable patients the access to new 
treatments that are not yet widely available or are not being used regularly. These 
treatments are precisely defined in the trial’s protocol, which also determines the 
selection of patients to be treated.
The consulting service at IO comprises a multidisciplinary medical consulting 
network that takes place at IO and some other health institutions. It provides 
consultations and, to some extent, the control of implementing specific cancer 
treatments at other centres that only provide certain types of treatment. 
which provides the best possible anti-tumour effect of the drug with the fewest 
possible undesired side effects. At IO, we also identify the presence of hereditary 
molecular genetic markers. We also offer genetic counselling to persons 
carrying mutated genes. 
We are introducing new techniques in imaging and functional diagnostics. 
These are becoming increasingly focused on recognising specific biological and 
physiological characteristics of tissues. Perfecting the existing and searching for 
new methods is important for an exact identification of the site and the extent of 
tumour growth and its characteristics. The latter which play an important role in 
predicting the reaction of tumours to treatment and the disease outcome.
In the field of clinical biochemistry (haematological and biochemical 
examinations), the main focus is on the accuracy of trials and the adequate 
capacity of laboratories, which IO ensures by constantly introducing the newest 
technological solutions.

23 Development through connection
Due to the fast advancement and development of new diagnostic methods, 
professional staff training is a key factor that ensures an adequate quality and 
successful professional work. The employees at IO regularly take part in trainings 
and attend professional events that are organised internally at IO and other 
institutions, mostly abroad. Free access to professional and scientific literature 
or databases, which they can access through the services of the IO’s professional 
library, enables them to stay in touch with the newest trends within their sphere 
and profession. 
The pharmacy plays a key role in the centralised and controlled preparation of 
drugs for systemic treatment. The centralised preparation of cancer drugs ensures 
a high-quality and safe treatment and a cost-effective use of drugs. Clinical 
pharmacists offer physicians advice on the use of medicines and possible drug 
interactions, provide centralised data collection and reports on adverse drug 
reactions of drugs used at IO, and manage the registries on the use of all drugs and 
medical devices.
A proper nutrition is also very important in the provision of high-quality cancer 
treatment and the patient’s successful rehabilitation after treatment, and is 
provided by the professionals at the Unit for Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy.
IO also provides palliative care services for comprehensive management of 
patients with incurable diseases, and assistance to their family members. This 
includes managing physical symptoms, providing care, and mitigating various 
emotional, social, and mental difficulties. The purpose of palliative care is to 
maintain an optimal quality of life in cancer patients with an incurable disease, 
both during the specific treatment and after the treatment has been concluded. 
During the disease, passing, and mourning phases, assistance is also provided to 
family members.
Introduction of new diagnostic procedures and treatments 
An important task of IO is also the introduction of new diagnostic procedures 
and treatments in the field of oncology in Slovenia. Considering that these 
procedures and treatments are usually very expensive, a prior well-considered 
decision regarding their necessity and planned extent is required. The opinions 
of IO’s Board of Experts (RSK) in the field of oncology at national level play a 
vital role. 

24 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Education 
As the main national institution for cancer treatment and research, IO also 
provides extensive education. Education is included in all fields of activities 
and are implemented at two levels. The first level includes education of the 
professional staff, including students from different Slovenian faculties in the 
field of health and natural sciences. The second level pertains to informing and 
educating the non-professional public. 
As lecturers or mentors, the employees at IO take part in study programmes at 
both Faculties of Medicine and numerous other faculties in the field of health 
and natural sciences across all Slovenian universities. IO is involved in education 
at all three study levels: bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctoral degree. 
The Chair of Oncology (previously the Chair of Oncology and Radiotherapy) 
at the Faculty of Medicine, University in Ljubljana, has had its domicile at IO 
since 1947. Many future specialists in different fields of oncology are being 
educated and trained at the pre-clinical and clinical units and departments at 
IO, especially medical oncologists and radiotherapists. For a short period, other 
residents of other specialties as well.  
For the professional public, IO holds regular weekly presentations regarding the 
current developments or novelties across the different fields of IO’s activities. 
The corresponding chambers evaluate these lectures and professional events 
with credit points, which are required for the renewal of professional licences. 
IO regularly publishes different publications for the professional and the non-
professional public. Twenty-eight such publications were published in 2017 
alone. In 2018, IO also published and issued a new university textbook entitled 
Oncology, which is intended for students of both Slovenian Faculties of Medicine 
and other interested parties. In order to present the problem of cancer to the 
wider public, the textbook is also freely available as an online publication on IO’s 
website. 
The employees at IO also take care of active self-education. They are aware 
that an investment into their education is necessary if they want to maintain 
the high quality of their work and keep following the modern professional 
and research trends in all the fields of IO’s activities. Due to the specificities 
of the subject field and because IO is the only institution in Slovenia for 
comprehensive cancer treatment, these trainings are mostly held abroad. They 
are organised as short visits at different schools, workshops, and congresses, or 
as longer stays at other globally recognised oncological institutions. These types 
of trainings and education are also made possible by the important connections 
that IO and its professionals have made throughout the decades with important 
professional organisations in different fields, such as the International Atomic 
Energy Agency (IAEA), the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), the 
European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European 
Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO).

25
Research 
Research represents an integral part of IO because all employees are required to take 
part in oncological research in line with the Institute’s mission. For the purpose of 
conducting research, IO is registered as a public institution with a concession given 
by the Public Research Agency of the Republic of Slovenia Research (ARRS), which 
enables the Institute to take part in calls for tenders by different Slovenian agencies 
and ministries. IO has its own committee for awarding scientific research titles 
that enable the registration of researchers at ARRS. At IO, there are 183 habilitated 
employees with a university degree and 20 technical and professional workers. 
The majority of research work is conducted as part of one infrastructure and six 
research programmes. These programmes are organised to cover all the basic 
activities of the institute: pre-clinical research, research in the fields of diagnostics, 
internal oncology, radiotherapy, genetic cancer, and gene counselling, and lately also 
medical physics. Heads of these research programmes are internationally recognised 
experts that guide the research. These programme groups also train and educate 
young researchers and other doctorate students who bring fresh and creative energy 
to the existing groups. 
IO also has the Department for Experimental Oncology that exclusively performs 
research work. Pre-clinical and translation studies are performed independently 
of, in cooperation with IO’s clinical departments or other health and research 
institutions.
IO also performs numerous research projects that are more specific and focus on 
precisely defined research goals. These are the projects that were selected in tenders 
at the national level (ARRS) and the projects that were successful in obtaining the 
funds of the European Union and the United States of America. In 2017, IO formed the 
European Reference Network for Rare Adult Solid Cancer (EURACAN) in cooperation 
with other European centres and supported by the European Commission. Rare 
cancers are cancers with an annual incidence of less than six cases per 100,000 
inhabitants, which represents 22% of all tumours or 4.3 million inhabitants of 
Europe. The survival rate of patients with rare cancers is worse compared to the 
patients with more common tumours. The EURACAN network includes 64 European 
centres of oncology from 17 countries, and 33 connected partners. The main purpose 
and objective of the project is to establish a network of multidisciplinary and 
research-focused oncology centres, capable of treating rare adult cancer. Besides 
actively cooperating in this reference network, IO is also included in the GENTURIS 
network, which is a European reference network in the field of rare genetic tumour 
syndromes that includes 23 centres from all around Europe. 
Number of 
programmes and 
projects at IO 
Programme grants 
– ARRS
Research grants – 
ARRS
International projects 
(EU, USA)
Bilateral projects – 
ARRS
Development through connection
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
5
12
5
3
5
9
5
3
6
9
5
1
6
15
8
1
6
17
8
1
Infrastructural programme 
grant – ARRS
1 1 1 1 1

26 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
In the field of clinical trials, IO mostly performs international multicentre studies under 
the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Some 
clinical trials are performed in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, and some 
are developed by the researchers at IO. 
There were 180 medical trials in 2017, of which 68 were clinical. 
The concept (protocol) of every trial performed at IO is reviewed by a committee that 
assesses its proficiency and justification, providing an opinion on the possibilities of its 
implementation. IO also has an ethical committee. Members of the IO’s ethical committee 
are medical professionals and, following the example of the National Medical Ethics 
Committee (KME RS), professionals from the fields of psychology, law, social sciences, 
humanities, and deontology. The role of the ethics committee it so protect the life and 
wellbeing of patients who want to take part in medical trials. These committees are 
managed by the Unit for Research and Educational Activities at IO (ERID).
The measure of good research work is the number and quality of publications. IO’s resear-
chers regularly publish the results of their research in renowned international scientific 
journals, including journals that are at the very top of the individual fields of oncology.
Clinical trials
Significant support in carrying out the different activities at IO is also provided by the 
specialised library. The library supports professionals in their educational, professional, 
and research work, also providing materials for the students at Slovenian faculties who 
require information in the field of oncology.  
Since 1997, IO had been publishing the scientific journal Oncology, which is distributed 
among all Slovenian physicians twice per year. The mission of this publication is to 
inform physicians and other members of the professional public of the activities and 
advancements in the field of oncology in Slovenia and worldwide.
 
Bibliographic data  
for the last five years
Covers of the 
publication  
Onkologija  
(Oncology) 
  2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Independent publications 60 83 74 67 64
of which doc., mag., spec., dipl. 13 15 15 18 5
editorials 19 43 34 28 27
Chapters in scientific monographies 4 5 1 14 4
Scientific and academic articles 134 137 147 182 139
Scientific articles 96 110 101 129 87
of which in SCI journals 78 90 82 104 72
Popular articles 23 59 33 52 37
Complete reports and lectures 121 132 150 117 89
Published abstracts 193 139 192 210 222
Mentorships (Master’s degree, Doctorates) 15 18 15 20 9

27
EUROPA DONNA – Slovenian Association for Action Against Breast Cancer
Society KO-RAK.si
ONKO MAN
The Mali vitez institution
       Slovenian Society Hospic
Association of Slovenian Cancer Patients Organisations ONKO NET 
DOBSLO – Cancer Patients’ Association of Slovenia
Association of Patients with Blood Diseases Slovenia
Association of Slovenian Societies for Action Against Cancer
EUROPACOLON – Association for Action Against Colorectal Cancer 
L&L – Slovenian Lymphoma and Leukaemia Patient Association
Slovenian Society of Urology Patients
Cooperation with the civil society 
Volunteers
In the developed world, voluntary work is an established form of work in 
hospitals that translates into a better quality of life in patients, prevents 
burnouts of the hospital staff, and contributes a better understanding of the 
problems that hospitals are facing. Besides the high level of professional 
treatment provided by modern medicine and the professional IO staff, 
patients – those who wish and require so – also receive informal emotional and 
social assistance provided by volunteers. The main purpose of the voluntary 
assistance provided is to inform and socialise with patients and, if required, 
to accompany them to examinations and treatments at IO. IO introduced 
volunteering in 2006.
Societies and self-help groups 
There are many self-help groups and association, which have been organised at 
IO for many years now. They play an important role in providing emotional and 
social assistance to patients; they complement the services provided by the 
health system and inform the wider public about cancer. 
Societies that actively 
cooperate with IO
Development through connection
Ustanova Mali vitez 
EUROPA DONNA – Slovensko združenje za boj proti raku dojk
EUROPACOLON – Združenje za boj proti raku debelega črevesa in danke 
Društvo uroloških bolnikov Slovenije

28 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Scientific collaboration with authors from 
different countries worldwide 
(in the last five years)
International cooperation of IO 
Spain 
168
USA
157
England
120
France
101
Canada
98
Belgium
64
Danmark
59
Germany
105
Brasil
33
Portugal
28
Mexico
10
Greece
26
Serbia
23
Turkey
20
Sweden
41
Bolgaria
16
Poland
30
Finland
16
Malta
16
Netherlands
140
Norway
26
Ireland
21
Scotland
28
Croatia
23
Switzerland
68
Austria
59
Czech republic
26
Italy
132

29
Professionals at IO regularly take part in international-level trainings, which 
enables them to achieve a high degree of specialisation and to follow the 
novelties in all fields of IO’s activities. They participate in short (schools, 
lectures, seminars, and workshops) and long trainings at renowned foreign 
oncology centres to obtain new knowledge and skills; and they make 
important connections that enable IO to cooperate with foreign institutions 
and jointly respond to international calls for tenders. It is necessary for the 
development of the Institute and the exchange of experience and knowledge 
that they cooperate with different international institutions and take part in 
research projects. 
Australia
35
Romunia
34
India
32
China
9
Hungary
19
Poland
Saudi 
Arabia
16
Israel
24
Japan 
16

30 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Professional work
Because Slovenia is small, highly specialised professionals need to acquire an 
important part of their knowledge and experience internationally, especially by 
cooperating in international associations that were established to educate and 
promote the progress of the profession. IO’s professionals are active members 
of many international associations like EORTC, ESMO, ESTRO, ESSO, European 
Association for Palliative Care (EAPC), and others. They also cooperate in different 
work groups, especially in EORTC, and attend scientific meetings. With their 
knowledge and experience, they are also welcome as lecturers at numerous 
renowned international professional meetings.
Education
The experts at IO work as lecturers and teachers at many international 
schools, courses, and workshops. As evaluators of doctoral theses, they are 
often guests at foreign universities. Every year, IO invites foreign experts from 
different professional groups that cooperate in different professional and other 
organisations (e.g. the International Atomic Energy Agency) to Slovenia to attend 
short and long professional trainings, mentored by IO’s professionals.
Research
IO’s research is basically a part of international research efforts. Scientific 
results are generally published internationally and can be achieved solely by 
IO’s professionals or in cooperation with other foreign research groups. IO takes 
part and competes in international tenders for research projects in Europe and 
the USA. IO is currently implementing 13 such projects, and many have already 
been implemented and completed in the past. The Department for Experimental 
Oncology at IO is included in the LEA-EBAM virtual laboratory, which operates 
under the European Union. 

31 Mednarodna vpetost OI 
Presentation of main clinical activities

32 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
23
employees
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
Diagnostics
Department of Nuclear Medicine
5 specialised doctors (4 nuclear medicine specialists and 1 internal medicine 
specialist), 8 radiology engineers, 2 pharmacists, 2 nurses, 1 health technician,  
1 electrical engineer, 2 administrators, and 2 attendants. One PhD employee. 
The department performs conventional and hybrid nuclear medicine 
examinations for IO, other health institutions in Slovenia, and some clinics at the 
University Medical Centre Ljubljana. It is the only nuclear medicine department 
in Slovenia that provides radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer patients, the 
treatment of metastatic and castration-resistant, metastatic prostate cancer with 
Radium-223 chloride (Xofigo), radionuclide therapy of neuroblastoma and other 
MIBG-avid tumours, and lymphoma treatments with marked antibodies. The 
department takes part in IO’s medical board for thyroid diseases.
Introduction of hybrid imaging diagnostics using positron-emitting 
radiopharmaceuticals (PET/CT with 18-F-FDG and with 18-F-choline) or 
conventional radiopharmaceuticals (SPECT/CT). 
In cooperation with colleagues from the Department of Radiotherapy: radiation 
planning based on PET/CT results in patients with colorectal cancer, lung cancer, 
and oesophageal cancer, and women with genital malignancies.
Cooperation on the development of the Slovenian guidelines for treating and 
monitoring thyroid cancer.
In cooperation with colleagues from the Division of Surgery: verifying the 
suitability of isolated limb perfusion during an ongoing operative procedure (with 
99mTc-labeled serum albumin and using a scintillation counter) in patients with 
melanoma. 
Introduction of the treatment of metastatic and castration-resistant prostate 
cancer using Radium-223 chloride.
•
•
•
•
•

33 Presentation of main clinical activities
Department of Radiology
15 radiologists, 22 radiographers, 4 nurses, and 5 administrators. One PhD holder, 
two MSc holders, and one assistant professor.
Performs modern radiological examinations for cancer patients and potential 
cancer patients: 
MR examinations of the central nervous system, neck, breasts, abdomen, pelvis 
and skeleton;
CT examination of the head, skeleton, chest, and abdomen;
Mammography and intervention procedures in the breast;
Ultrasound of the abdomen, breasts, neck, testis, soft tissues, as well as 
ultrasound-guided biopsies and ultrasound with contrast agents;
X-ray of the skeleton and chest organs, and contrast examinations of the digestive 
system;
The department is completely equipped with digital imaging modalities, and all 
global trends are considered when acquiring new equipment. 
In the last 10 years, we have introduced four new methods: tomosynthesis 
that produces three-dimensional breast images, new examination techniques 
using MRI-like diffusion and perfusion, elastography in ultrasound imaging, 
and contrast-enhanced spectral mammography. We have also replaced multiple 
devices. Radiologists are part of the team in clinical trials and scientific studies. 
They are involved in the education of residents and medical students at the 
Faculties of Medicine, Faculties of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Mathematics 
and Physics.
46
employees
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
•
•
•
•
• 

34 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
IO’s screening and diagnostics centre has 3 radiology specialists (doctors), 31 
radiology engineers, 3 nurses (staff and senior), 5 health administrators, and 
1 secretary. Two employees are MScs. There are another 13 stationary DORA 
screening centres at health institutions across Slovenia, in which mammography 
examinations are performed by 74 radiology engineers, who are employed by 
these health institutions but are additionally trained for the DORA programme.  
IO also manages the National Screening Programme for Breast Cancer DORA, 
including the DORA screening and diagnostic centre and the DORA stationary 
screening centre. The DORA screening and diagnostic centre provides additional 
health treatment services to women who were previously examined in the DORA 
programme; and the DORA stationary screening centre, which also includes three 
mobile units, performs examinations on women.
The biggest achievement is the expansion of the DORA programme to the whole 
country of Slovenia at the end of 2017. This provided all Slovenian women aged 
between 50 and 69 with an equal access to the system for early cancer detection 
and treatment. Since 2008, they have treated 180,000 women and detected 2,000 
cases of breast cancer using screening mammography. In most cases, women 
could not feel the tumour themselves.
The DORA programme is recognised as a high-quality medical service that shows 
clearly measurable effects. This is made possible with regular employee trainings 
included in the programme, professional supervision, and a unified information 
technology (DORA application).
Diagnostic Centre for Breast Diseases and the Unit for Screening Logistics and 
Planning / National Screening Programme for Breast Cancer – DORA
43 
employees
Fields of work
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements

35 Presentation of main clinical activities
25
employees
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
4 specialists in laboratory medicine, 1 MPhar – analyst, 7 laboratory medicine 
engineers, 13 laboratory technicians. Two employees are PhD holders and two are 
MSc holders.
The department is a medical laboratory that performs examinations in the field 
of clinical biochemistry on different types of biological samples (blood, urine, 
stool, bone marrow, and other). Modern analytical equipment enables a quick 
and reliable implementation of different haematological and urine examinations, 
coagulation tests, examinations of electrolytes, substrates, enzymes, serum 
protein electrophoresis, tumour markers, thyroid hormones, and antibodies.
They have established a comprehensive quality-assurance system and met all the 
professional and technical requirements for a license granted by the Ministry of 
Health of the Republic of Slovenia based on the Rules on requirements to be met 
by laboratories performing laboratory medicine tests. In 2009, they received their 
first licence which has to be renewed every five years. They have introduced 
modern flow cytometry to haematological and urine diagnostics. They have 
also introduced capillary serum protein electrophoresis, many new laboratory 
examination techniques, mostly in the field of thyroid diagnostics (intact PTH, 
calcitonin), new tumour markers (SCC, proGRP, Cyfra-21, HE4, and CA 72-4), 
and biochemical examinations that are important in the monitoring of cancer 
patients (procalcitonin, NT-proBNP, testosterone, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folates, 
and others).
Department of Laboratory Diagnostics

36 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
23
employees
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
5 cytopathologists, 1 pathology resident, 3 senior analysts in laboratory medicine, 4 analysts 
in laboratory medicine, 2 laboratory medicine engineers, 4 laboratory technicians, 3 
administrators, 1 employed partly as an administrator and partly as a laboratory assistant. 
One employee is a MSc holder, five are PhD holders, and one is an associate professor.
The department performs cytopathological diagnostics for IO and other Slovenian health 
institutions. The outpatient clinic performs fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) of 
palpable lumps and masses, skin scrapings, collection of nipple discharges, and smears. 
The laboratory processes and examines various cytological samples of patients suspected 
to have benign or malignant tumours. Immunocytochemical and flow-cytometric 
immunophenotyping techniques are used in difficult cases to obtain a more reliable 
cytopathological diagnosis. The laboratory also performs examinations of peripheral blood 
and bone marrow samples, as well as high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for 
women with low grade cytology abnormalities in PAP smear.
In the last decade, the department has made significant progress, especially in the fields 
of cervical cancer diagnostics, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry diagnostics of 
lymphoma and leukaemia. In the framework of the ZORA national organised screening 
programme, they started to perform triage tests for high-risk human papillomaviruses 
(HPV) with Hybrid Capture 2 Assay in 2010. Hybrid Capture 2 in 2010. With the development 
of new antibodies, immunocytochemistry became an important additional method for 
classifying malignant tumours and diagnosing cancer of unknown primary. In 2013, they 
joined the iBFM international consortium and started to provide flow cytometry diagnostics 
of minimal disease residues in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia for the whole 
Slovenia. Two years later, they received the first international certificate for performing 
these diagnostics. In 2015, the implementation of the 10-colour flow cytometer enabled more 
reliable diagnoses of lymphoma and leukaemia, especially in samples with few cells.
Department of Cytopathology

37 Presentation of main clinical activities
32
employees
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
Department of Pathology
8 pathology specialists, 3 independent analysts (chemistry and biology engineers, 
and a veterinarian), 3 laboratory medicine engineers, 13 laboratory technicians, 3 
administrators, and 2 archivists. Four employees are PhD holders.
The department takes samples of tumour tissue, processes these samples, 
prepares histological preparations, and performs histochemical and 
immunohistochemical staining as well as fluorescent in situ hybridisation. 
Employees perform histological diagnostics, cooperate in multidisciplinary teams 
and medical councils, take part in trainings for technicians, engineers, pathology 
residents, and pathology and other specialists, and they cooperate in national and 
international trials.
They introduced many new immunohistochemical and FISH examinations 
that enable the modern diagnostics of tumours and identification of biological 
markers that are decisive for determining the suitable patient treatment (CD20, 
CD30, ER, PR, MIB-1, ALK, HER2, MMRP , PD-L1, etc.). They regularly participate 
in multiple external quality-control schemes, in which they receive excellent 
reviews for the above examinations. By establishing multi-tumour networks, they 
cooperate in different IO studies; they test new antibodies and create internal 
quality control protocols for our trials and research.

38 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
10
employees
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
2 specialists in laboratory genetics (one is also a specialist in laboratory medicine), 3 
independent analysts in laboratory medicine, 3 analysts in laboratory medicine, and 
2 laboratory technicians. Five employees are PhD holders and one is a research full 
professor.
In hereditary types of cancer, the department identifies certain genetic changes 
to enable the early detection of mutation carriers, that are linked to a high risk of 
developing different types of cancer. 
In case of sporadic forms of cancer, certain changes have to be identified that are 
important for predicting the development of the disease, the sub-classification of 
tumours, the recurrence of the disease, and for selecting the most suitable drugs and 
protocols for the so-called personalised treatment (treatment adapted to individual 
patients and their tumours).
This professional and technological department performs molecular diagnostic 
methods for IO and other external institutions. They introduced the methods that 
enable exact identification of DNA changes from patient samples (e.g. the direct 
sequencing method, the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) 
method, and next generation sequencing). The employees are constantly educated 
to enable a high professional interpretation of the obtained results. The results of 
molecular diagnostics are indispensable for genetic counselling, cancer diagnostics, 
or treatment protocol selection (e.g. identification of changes in KRAS and NRAS 
genes in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer; identification of changes in BRAF 
gene in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, metastatic melanoma, and thyroid 
cancer; determination of the clonality of lymphoid proliferations).
Department of Molecular Diagnostics

39 Presentation of main clinical activities
Division of Surgery
Department of Surgical Oncology 
16 surgical oncologists and 5 residents of general surgery 
5 university professors, 11 PhDs, 1 MSc
The Department of Surgical Oncology treats patients with breast cancer, melanoma, 
colorectal cancer, liver metastases, sarcoma, thyroid cancer, and parathyroid diseases. 
They annually perform more than 3,400 major and more than 1,000 small surgical 
procedures. Operative procedures are performed in a classical, minimally invasive way, 
and procedures in the abdominal cavity are performed with the open or laparoscopic 
approach. They perform prevention activities, gene counselling, early cancer 
treatment, treatment of locoregionally advanced cancer and metastatic diseases, 
symptomatic treatment, and palliative treatment. They monitor patients and treat 
surgical complications of radiotherapy and systemic treatments. 
Department of Gynaecological Oncology
5 gynaecology and obstetrics specialists, 1 PhD
The Department of Gynaecological Oncology annually performs more than  
320 major surgical procedures on patients with genital cancer. The majority  
of procedures are performed laparoscopically.
Fields of work
Fields of work
21
employees
5
employees

40 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy  
Unit for Intensive Therapy and Reanimation  
Unit for Anaesthesia
13 anaesthesiology and reanimatology specialists
2 intensive medicine and infectology specialists, 5 residents
2 PhDs, 2 MScs
The Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy provides anaesthesia 
to patients undergoing surgery and gynaecology patients. Anaesthesiologists 
perform reanimations of patients and, in the intensive care unit, treat patients 
with life-threatening complications. Members of the Unit for Pain Treatment take 
care of patients with severe pain and performs acupuncture.
Numerous novelties are constantly being introduced in patient diagnostics 
and treatment, as is the case with top foreign centres. In recent years, surgical 
treatment is often individualised as part of personalised medicine that is adjusted 
to individual patients and their tumour characteristics. If possible, the operative 
procedure is performed with a single-day hospital stay, but new complex and 
painful surgical procedures (e.g. breast reconstruction, peritonectomy with 
hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, isolated limb perfusion, etc.) require 
a longer hospitalisation.
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Fields of work
20
employees
•
•

41 Presentation of main clinical activities
6
employees
27
employees
Division of Medical Oncology
Department of Solid Cancer Treatment  
21 specialists in medical oncology, 5 residents in medical oncology, 
1 young researcher, 6 university professors, 13 PhDs, 1 MSc
Department of Lymphoma Treatment
4 specialists in medical oncology, 1 university professor, 3 PhDs, 
2 residents in medical oncology
Department of Daily Hospital and Clinical Activities
The Division of Internal Oncology provides systemic cancer treatment.  
The Department of Lymphoma Treatment performs treatments of lymphoma, 
plasmocytoma, and cancers of unknown primary; and the Department for Solid 
Cancer Treatment carries out treatments of melanoma and other skin cancers, 
gastrointestinal cancer, sarcoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, gynaecological 
cancers, urological cancers, head and neck cancers, rare cancers, and cancers 
of unknown primary. The employees provide prevention, gene counselling, 
diagnostics and early cancer treatments, treatment of locoregionally advanced 
cancer and metastatic diseases, and symptomatic and palliative treatment.  
They monitor patients and treat surgical complications of systemic treatments. 
They introduce new methods of systemic treatment and participate in 
international clinical trials, which provides their patients with an early access  
to new systemic treatments.
Fields of work

42 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
In all filed of systemic treatment, they follow novelties and introduce them in 
both diagnostics and systemic treatments According to these trends and many 
biomarkers, systemic treatments are becoming more adapted to individual 
patients and the characteristics of their tumours; treatments are being 
individualised. Treatments are becoming more and more outpatient, enabling 
patients to remain in their home environments longer and, thus, improving  
the quality of their lives. 
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements

43 Presentation of main clinical activities
163 
employees
Division of Radiotherapy
Fields of work
•
•
•
•
• 
Department of Teleradiotherapy,  
Department of Brachyradiotherapy,  
Department of Radiophysics, and Clinical departments
34 oncology and radiotherapy specialists 
(8 university professors, 13 PhDs, and 6 MScs) 
16 oncology and radiotherapy residents (12 for IO and 4 for MB UMC)
9 medical physics specialists, 6 medical physicists, and 12 dosimetrists
(1 university professor, 4 PhDs, and 2 MScs)
82 university graduate radiology engineers (1 PhD)
4 university graduate electrical engineers (2 MScs)
The Department for Radiotherapy treats more than 350 patients daily. Annually, 
the department treats over 5,000 patients and performs over 6,000 radiation 
therapies. The department includes six teams of doctors who treat different 
types of cancer. Besides the 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT), 
they regularly perform all the most modern radiotherapy techniques: intensity-
modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), 
and stereotactic techniques like stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic 
body radiotherapy (SBRT). They also use the deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) 
technique. Therapies are performed using eight linear accelerators and one 
therapeutic X-ray machine supervised by radiology engineers. Accuracy is ensured 
using routine image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). They also regularly use the total 
body irradiation (TBI) technique. The preparation for radiation treatments takes 
places in two CT simulators, one MRI simulator, and one conventional simulator. 
In some treatment plannings, the PET CT machine at the Department of Nuclear 
Medicine can also be used.
The Department for Brachyradiotherapy annually performs approximately 500 
therapies. They use 192-iridium sources and two afterloader machines that enable 
high dose rate and pulse dose rate radiations. In choroidal and retinal tumour 

44 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
therapy, they use strontium-90 applicators. Intraluminal, interstitial, and surface 
techniques are used. In gynaecological and rectal tumour treatment, they use 
image-guided (CT/MR) adaptive brachytherapy. 
The Department for Radiophysics performs the planning of tele-radiotherapeutic 
and brachyradiotherapeutic treatments. Together with the maintenance staff of 
these machines, medical physicians perform calibrations of radiation therapy 
machines and implement the quality assurance programme for the whole 
division. The department plays a vital role in the introduction of new radiation 
therapy techniques and the acquisition and calibration of new radiation therapy 
machines.
Clinical departments of the Division of Radiotherapy provide hospital care to 
patients that require care during or after treatment (poor general state, additional 
diagnostic examinations, and treatment of radiation therapy side effects). The H2 
Department has 56 beds and the Department of Brachyradiotherapy has 10 beds. 
IO is the only hospital in Slovenia that performs all radiation therapy procedures, 
regardless of their complexity, in adult and paediatric cancer patients alike. The 
extreme amount of work performed places us among the top radiotherapy centres 
in Europe. Internationally acknowledged high proficiency and excellence enable 
the Division of Radiotherapy to serve as a learning centre of the International 
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for teaching foreign professionals in the field of 
radiotherapy. 
For some years now, the Department of Brachyradiotherapy has been known 
as Varian’s reference centre for teaching the newest brachytherapy techniques, 
known for its pioneering work in the field of building and applying individual 
applicators for the radiation therapy of gynaecological tumours. Also worth 
pointing out is the total body irradiation translation technique using a linear 
accelerator, designed by local professionals.

45 Presentation of main clinical activities
5
employees
Joint health services
Department of Acute Palliative Care
2 medical oncologists, 1 coordinator of palliative care, and 1 nurse,  
all with additional knowledge of palliative care, 1 PhD
The Department of Acute Palliative Care, which has been in operation for  
11 years, provides specialised palliative services, develops early palliative  
care, and integrates palliative care into the treatment of patients with  
incurable diseases. It represents one of the key pillars of the National  
Palliative Care Programme.
Key professional 
achievements
Common health services are support services for patients treated at all the 
departments of IO, and are organised in eight organisational units.
Employees perform specialised activities in the field of palliative care, neurology, 
psycho-oncology, gene counselling, clinical nutrition, and physiotherapy. All these 
fields are recognised as important parts of comprehensive treatment of cancer 
patients, be they outpatient or inpatient. 
All services provided at IO are supported by the health administration, which 
provides the processing and invoicing of services, communication with ZZZS, and 
care for the quality and safety of treatments.  
Fields of work

46 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
12
employees
Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy
2 anaesthesiology specialists (2 with additional knowledge of clinical nutrition),  
1 doctor, 3 nurses, 5 clinical dietitians, 1 PhD, 1 university professor,  
1 resident in medical oncology
In 2008, the Unit for Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy was the first in Slovenia 
to implement a professional multi-disciplinary approach to dietary therapy in 
all the phases of cancer treatment. In 2017, a clinical path of dietary support and 
therapy has been established in accordance with the professional guidelines for 
clinical nutrition. A special clinical department for treatment of gastrointestinal 
disorders and gastrointestinal failure operates within the framework of the 
Unit for Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy, which also treats patients with 
other diseases. As the first in Slovenia, the Unit has developed a system of 
supplementary therapy for gastrointestinal failure which is also provided in the 
form of home therapy. The Unit is included in the European registry for chronic 
intestinal failure. The Unit for Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy conducts 
research and continuously provides education in the field of clinical nutrition.  
The employees are included in pedagogical processes at higher-education 
institutions and are integrated at all the levels of health care provision. They  
also work with different patient associations and provide a professional lever  
for the implementation of systemic regulations in the field of clinical nutrition  
in Slovenia. 
Key professional 
achievements

47 Presentation of main clinical activities
  
7
employees
Fields of work
Genetic counselling – The Department of Oncogenetics 
2 specialists (clinical genetics and public health), 1 resident (clinical genetics – 
first specialization medical oncology), 3 nurses with a university degree,  
and 1 person with a postgraduate degree in quality management.
The Department provides genetic counselling to cancer patients whenever the 
results of genetic testing are important for the planning of oncological treatment 
and whenever there is a risk that the patient has developed their disease based 
on a hereditary genetic disorder. The Department also provides counselling 
to the patients’ family members whenever test results indicate a necessity for 
the planning of early cancer detection and prevention. To this end, their clinic 
prepares a risk assessment based on the family anamnesis and the results of 
genetic testing.
In 2018, the Department is celebrating the 10th anniversary of programme 
accreditation by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. It is a successful 
demonstration of translating the research project conceptualized in 1999 into 
practice. In parallel with the development of molecular diagnostics, they have 
developed a therapy for all known hereditary cancer syndromes by means of 
sequencing a new generation. Their professional work in this field has resulted 
in the production and publication of the clinical pathway for genetic counselling 
and testing, as well as numerous publications on their professional work. In 2017, 
Department became a reference centre in the European reference network for 
genetic tumour risk syndromes (ERN GENTURIS), where they actively participate 
in various work groups.
Key professional 
achievements

48 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Psycho-Oncology
1 clinical psychology specialist, 2 psychologists, 1 nurse
1 MSc
In psycho-oncology, psychotherapeutic treatment according to the cognitive 
behavioural therapy became part of regular clinical practice. 
Neurology
1 neurology specialist
1 MSc
IO is one of few oncology centres in Europe that includes the neuro-oncological 
treatment of patients, which qualitatively contributes to a more optimal 
multidisciplinary treatment of patients. 
4
employees
Key professional 
achievements
1
employee
Key professional 
achievements

49
5
employees
Key professional 
achievements
Presentation of main clinical activities
Physiotherapy
5 physiotherapists graduates (2 physiotherapists with special skills)
We perform individual physiotherapeutic treatment of cancer patients at 
departments, intensive care units and in the physiotherapy unit. With various 
physiotherapy procedures, we develop and maintain the psychophysical condition 
of patients.
The field of physiotherapy is developing both in the direction of acquiring new 
specialised knowledge of physiotherapists and modern equipment for a high-
quality implementation of these services.
Fields of work

50 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
42
employees
8
employees
2
employees
Quality Assurance
2 employees with education in economical and natural sciences  
and organisational sciences.
An important step in the development is also the automated transfer 
of data through the information system and electronic document 
management, in addition to the established system of quality indicator 
monitoring.
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements
Health Administration
The manager and 41 health administrators
Accounting and Invoicing
The manger and 7 accountants

51
Division of Nursing and Care for Patients
The services of the Division of Nursing and Care for Patients are performed in 
outpatient (650 to 750 treatments per day) and inpatient settings (on 265 hospital 
beds). The Division of Nursing and Care for Patients employs 173 registered nurses 
responsible for providing cancer nursing care, 166 technicians, 11 orderlines, 4 
social workers, 3 sanitary engineers, and 52 attendants.
Knowledge and skills are defined in the document called Knowledge Map that 
is continuously updated and developed by employees of all professional groups. 
Employees in this division comply with the guidelines for cancer nursing and the 
principle of the professional ethics code.
Departments and units of the Division of Nursing and Care for Patients 
independently perform and actively participate in the comprehensive care 
for cancer patients and their family members. They are active in the fields of 
diagnostics, specific and support cancer treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer 
patients. They always comply with the principles of safe and high-quality cancer 
nursing care.
In the last decade, the achievements of the departments and units of the Division 
of Nursing and Care for Patients can be summed up in three visible areas: 
technological (informatisation and modern equipment), professional (evidence-
based practice), and organisational (modern knowledge and solutions for work 
management and organisation at all levels, and improving the skill mix in cancer 
nursing care). 
Fields of work
Key professional 
achievements
409
employees
Presentation of main clinical activities

52 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Pharmacy
7 MPhars, clinical pharmacy specialists (1 PhD)
1 MPhar
14 pharmacy technicians (2 part-time employees)
1 finance accountant 
The pharmacy procure, stores and dispenses all medicines, medical devices 
and medical consumable goods to all IO units. One of the main activities of the 
pharmacy is centralised, computer-supported preparation of antitumor drugs for 
patients. We provide safe, high-quality, and efficient treatment with medicines 
within clinical pharmacy, report on adverse drug reactions, participate in all 
clinical trials, cooperate with other health workers, and participate in trainings 
and counselling.
Recently, the pharmacy has acquired new facilities for the aseptic preparation 
of antitumor drugs that enable the preparation of drugs in accordance with the 
newest guidelines for good manufacturing practice (GMP).
In the professional field, they strive for a better recognition and the development 
of oncology pharmacy. They educate and inform pharmacy students, clinical 
pharmacy residents, and other health workers about the novelties in the field 
of oncological pharmacotherapy, and they actively participate in Slovenian and 
international professional associations. They cooperated on the establishment of 
the system for e-reporting on adverse drug reactions, and on the international 
EPIC project that is establishing a continuous programme for educating 
pharmacists and a database with information on oral antitumor drugs for better 
cancer treatment results.
23
employees
Fields of work
Key professional 
and technological 
achievements

53 Predstavitev glavnih zdravstvenih dejavnosti
IO in numbers

54 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
    2013  2014  2015  2016   2017
     13.285  13.443  13.433  13.946  14.086
Year
No. of admissions
Average growth rate 1.47%
    2013  2014  2015  2016   2017
  61,507  63,705  60,319  60,319  59,296 
Year
No. of hospital 
care days
Average growth rate -0.91
    2013  2014  2015  2016   2017
  101,697  104,329  107,154  111,075  109,881
Year
No. of all 
examinations
Average growth rate 1.95

55
    2013  2014  2015  2016   2017 Year
No. of radiotherapy 
proceedures
Average growth rate 0.60
IO in numbers
    2013  2014  2015  2016   2017
  4.6  4.7  4.5  4.3  4.2
Year
Average length  
of stay
Average growth rate -2.35
    2013  2014  2015  2016   2017
  3,482  3,828  3,947  4,327  4,460 
Year
No. of operations
Average growth rate 6.38
     87,364    84,963  90,004  92,804  89,486 

56 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Building B     Building C     Building D   Building E     Building H    Building TRT Surface
4,023 m
2
        5,486 m
2
       9,16.97 m
2
     8,447.33 m
2
     8,918.51 m
2
      4,212.19 m
2
Total 40,249 m
2
       31. 12. 2013 31. 12. 2017
Specialists       127  147
clinical services      89  103
diagnostic services     29  35
other services       9  9
Residents       23  33
young MDs without specialization    0  9
Young researchers - PhD students   6  7
Other health workers     277  315
Nurses in medical care     317  356
Health administration     60  74
Hospital attendants     55  57
Other service workers     48  55
Management employees     48  58
Total       961  1111

57 IO in numbers
Building B     Building C     Building D   Building E     Building H    Building TRT
4,023 m
2
        5,486 m
2
       9,16.97 m
2
     8,447.33 m
2
     8,918.51 m
2
      4,212.19 m
2
       31. 12. 2013 31. 12. 2017
Specialists       127  147
clinical services      89  103
diagnostic services     29  35
other services       9  9
Residents       23  33
young MDs without specialization    0  9
Young researchers - PhD students   6  7
Other health workers     277  315
Nurses in medical care     317  356
Health administration     60  74
Hospital attendants     55  57
Other service workers     48  55
Management employees     48  58
Total       961  1111

58 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
Golden sponsor 
Silver sponsor  
Bronze sponsor 

59 OI v številkah
 Issued by: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
 For OI: Zlata Štiblar Kisić, Director General
 E dit oria l C ommit t e e: Gregor Serša, Primož Strojan, Maja Čemažar, Viljem Kovač, Barbara Možina,   
  Miladinka Matković, Elizabeta Radelj Pepevnik, Vesna Škrbec
 English translation  
 and proofreading: Žan - Storitve, prevajanje in lektoriranje, d.o.o.
 Design: Studio Licul
 Photography:  Miha Fras
 Print: Nebia d.o.o. Ljubljana
 Copyes:  500
   November 2018

60 Institute of Oncology Ljubljana 1938–2018
CIP - Kataložni zapis o publikaciji 
Narodna in univerzitetna knjižnica, Ljubljana 
614.21(497.4Ljubljana):616-006(082) 
616-006(497.4)(082) 
ONKOLOŠKI inštitut (Ljubljana) 
        Institute of Oncology Ljubljana : 80 years : 1938-2018 / [editorial committee Gregor Serša ... 
[et al.] ; photography Miha Fras]. - Ljubljana : Onkološki inštitut, 2018 
ISBN 978-961-7029-11-6 
1. Serša, Gregor 
297033472