Erasmus MC skincancer research

Focus area alignment

Regional Impact: Rotterdam


Duration of support

4+ years


Theory of change

Combining advanced risk stratification data models with self-assessment and primary prevention to combat rising incidence, make more effective treatment choices and ultimately reduce mortality

🔗 erasmusmc.nl

A smiling female scientist in blue scrubs, wearing a purple hair cap and protective glasses, sitting at a laboratory microscope. In the background, another female scientist in blue scrubs and a hair net is working at a different lab station.

The project contributes to scientific research on the early detection of skin cancer

Erasmus MC research into early detection of squamous cell carcinoma has produced an innovative online risk calculator that helps doctors accurately predict which patients are at risk of metastases. The model, developed by Dr. Marlies Wakkee and Barbara Rentroia-Pacheco, uses eight clinicopathological variables and outperforms existing staging systems. This supports personalized treatment decisions and more intensive follow-up for high-risk patients, which is crucial given the expected 30% increase in the incidence of this common form of skin cancer in the next ten years.

What’s the partnership with Alphatron Foundation like?

The long-term partnership with Alphatron is invaluable. Thanks to this involvement and the contribution to scientific research at Erasmus MC, we make a difference together – for the patient of today and tomorrow.