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Brussels – November 2nd 2023 – This year as every year, the month of November is a month dedicated to increasing awareness of males cancers with the Movember campaign.  Although generally less aware of the fact, men are also at risk of developing a cancer at some point in their lives.  The chances of survival are nevertheless high if the disease is detected at an early stage. At the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B), comprehensive and personalised care, from prevention to treatment, is available to each and every patient depending on his pathology. The expertise of the teams combined with the latest equipment make it possible to preserve the patient’s quality of life to a maximum.    The “Movember” movement A contraction of “mo” for moustache and November for the month, Movember is an annual event organised by the  Movember Foundation Charity. Every November since 2003, men across the globe are invited to grow a moustache. The aim is twofold: to increase public awareness of men’s health and to raise funds for research into such male diseases as prostrate or testicular cancer.    Join the movement and become a “Mo Bro”!  The importance of prevention We are not all equal in the face of cancer.  Independently of lifestyle, the risk varies depending on our genetic makeup.  Some genetic mutations bring an increased risk. Similarly, a family history of cancers or personal antecedents increase an individual’s risk.  In 2022, 40 335 cancers were diagnosed in men in Belgium, with 12 732 cases of prostate cancer that remains the most common male cancer. But for the vast majority of people with an average risk, the proportion of “avoidable” cancers is 30-40%.    There are two main components of prevention: lifestyle and screening. The recommended lifestyle measures are summed up in the European Code Against Cancer: don’t smoke, drink less, eat better, remain active and watch your weight.  Making an appointment at the Jules Bordet Institute’s Screening Clinic for a thorough check up is also an effective way of preventing cancers and detecting them in time.    360° care at the H.U.B At the H.U.B, patients with a male cancer are cared for by a multidisciplinary team including urologists, nurses, oncologists, radiotherapists and psychologists. The aim is to provide comprehensive personalised care for every male patient. The expertise of each professional combined with the latest technology serves to treat the tumour effectively while maintaining the patient’s quality of life with the fewest possible side effects and complications  Effective technology From diagnosis to treatment, our machines and techniques meet the needs of patients with ultimate precision:    Transperineal biopsy (through the perineal skin rather than the rectum) involves taking a sample of several prostrate fragments using a needle. The H.U.B is one of the few hospitals to practice this technique under local anaesthetic.    PET/MRI is a hybrid imaging technique that combines TEP and MRI for ultimate biopsy precision.    PSMA PET scan is metabolic imaging   that permits a more precise visualisation of cancer lesions than is possible with conventional imaging.  A robotic platform  permits minimally invasive interventions (the famous surgical robot).  Focused ultrasound (Focal-One) provides ablative treatment limited to small prostate tumours that are not very aggressive and that allows the gland to be saved  The  MRI-Linac is a radiotherapy machine that in 5 sessions provides a curative treatment of certain prostate cancers with a significant reduction in toxicity.  Theranostics  is a combination of precise diagnosis using metabolic imaging and at the same time treatment of the lesions found.  

Our Clinic specializes in the diagnosis and management of movement disorders (including those caused by Parkinson’s disease). We offer a multidisciplinary approach, personalized follow-up, and access to advanced therapies. For specialized care of movement disorders Abnormal movements may result from various neurological, genetic, or metabolic diseases, may be related to certain medications or brain injuries, and are influenced by different risk factors. Their diagnosis and management therefore require specialized expertise to accurately identify the cause and adapt treatment in order to best preserve patients’ quality of life. Image Image Image Diagnosis and management of movement disorders We provide personalized care focused on quality of life and the patient’s goals through, among other things, a multidisciplinary approach integrating both motor and non-motor aspects (cognition, sleep, pain, mood, autonomy, etc.). When necessary, we refer patients to advanced therapies and specialized care pathways.  Personalized and multidisciplinary care Our comprehensive clinical assessment and longitudinal follow-up include the possibility of objectively tracking disease progression through clinical examinations, standardized scales, and even video recording when indicated. Movement disorders are not limited to motor symptoms; therefore, we pay special attention to non-motor symptoms and their impact on relatives. As a clinic within a leading university hospital, our academic expertise and our teaching and research activities directly benefit patients. Finally, our close collaboration with neurological rehabilitation within Erasmus Hospital allows us to offer optimal functional care and autonomy. Our care services Depending on the clinical situation, the Movement Disorders Clinic of the H.U.B offers:Specialized consultations (diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment adjustment)Assessment and management of:Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonian syndromesTremorsDystonia (involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal postures or repetitive, sometimes painful movements)Chorea (rapid, jerky, unpredictable movements giving the impression the body is “dancing” involuntarily)TicsMyoclonus (sudden, very brief muscle jerks similar to involuntary startles)Gait and balance disorders (also called “ataxias”)Functional movement disordersEvaluation of complications (fluctuations, dyskinesia, pain, falls, autonomic nervous system disorders, sleep, anxiety, depression, fatigue, cognitive disorders, etc.)Referral to specific/advanced treatments when indicated (in collaboration with relevant teams):Botulinum toxin injectionsPump therapiesDeep brain stimulation (DBS)Coordination of multidisciplinary care (physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychology, etc.)Patient education and information: practical advice, reliable resources, information sessions Make an appointment Our team The team of the Movement Disorders Clinic of the H.U.B includes specialized physicians and multidisciplinary healthcare staff:Physiotherapist: Sara Ben ChekrounSpeech therapist: Sophie RobertNeuropsychologists: Hichem Slama and Christelle MaenhoutPsychologist: Véronique Simons Dr. Frédéric Supiot, Director of the Clinic Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disordersConsults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disordersPrincipal investigator in clinical research (Enroll HD program for Huntington’s disease)Performs botulinum toxin injections for certain movement disorders such as dystonia and hemispasmExpertise in DBS (deep brain stimulation) implantation and programmingExpertise in initiation, adjustment, and follow-up of patients treated with Duodopa pump therapy Dr. Virginie Destrebecq Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disordersConsults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disorders, as well as degenerative cerebellar diseases (ataxia) and functional neurological disordersReference specialist for rare ataxia diseases within the European network (ERN-RND)Principal investigator in clinical and cross-sectional research (essential tremor) Dr. Vincent Leclercq Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disordersConsults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disordersPays special attention to non-motor symptoms (behavioral disorders, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction, urinary and digestive disorders, pain, etc.)Promotes a global approach, with links to neurological rehabilitation when neededPerforms DBS programming and botulinum toxin injections Dr. Alexandra Boogers Position: Neurologist, specialist in movement disordersConsults for Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, and other movement disordersExpertise in DBS implantation and programming Services we collaborate with Neurology Lien vers Neurology Neurosurgery Lien vers Neurosurgery Radiology - Medical Imaging Lien vers Radiology - Medical Imaging As part of our collaboration with the Neurology Department, we regularly work with:Neurological Rehabilitation Unit (multidisciplinary rehabilitation)Sleep Unit (polysomnography)Clinical Neurophysiology Unit (recording of abnormal movements) FAQ on Parkinson’s disease and its management 1. What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s disease is a chronic neurological disorder associated with a progressive decrease in dopamine in certain regions of the brain. It can lead to motor symptoms (slowness, stiffness, tremor), but also non-motor symptoms (sleep disorders, fatigue, constipation, pain, anxiety, cognitive disorders, etc.). 2. What are the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease? The first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be subtle and variable. The most common are:Slowness of movement (bradykinesia),Stiffness (rigidity),Resting tremor (not always present),Reduced arm swing when walking,Smaller handwriting (micrographia),Changes in voice,Non-motor symptoms such as constipation, loss of smell, sleep disorders (especially agitation during dreams), or unusual fatigue. 3. At what age does Parkinson’s disease begin? Parkinson’s disease most often begins after the age of 60, but it can also affect younger people. Early-onset Parkinson’s is defined when symptoms appear before the age of 50. The age of onset varies from one person to another and does not necessarily affect the severity of the disease. 4. What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease? The exact causes of Parkinson’s disease remain partially unknown. It results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In most cases, the disease is not hereditary. Exposure to certain pesticides or toxins is being studied as a possible risk factor. 5. How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed? The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is primarily clinical. It is based on neurological examination and observation of symptoms. There is currently no single biological test. Additional examinations (brain MRI, dopaminergic scintigraphy) may be performed to rule out other diseases. 6. Is there a treatment for Parkinson’s disease? There is currently no curative treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but several treatments can effectively relieve symptoms. Dopaminergic medications, rehabilitation (physiotherapy, speech therapy), and in some cases deep brain stimulation significantly improve quality of life. 7. Is Parkinson’s disease hereditary? In the vast majority of cases, Parkinson’s disease is not hereditary. Only 5 to 10% of patients have an identified genetic form. Having a relative with the disease does not necessarily imply a high risk of developing it. 8. What is the life expectancy with Parkinson’s disease? The life expectancy of people with Parkinson’s disease is close to that of the general population, especially when the disease is well managed. Medical advances and multidisciplinary care have significantly improved prognosis and quality of life. 9. Can you live normally with Parkinson’s disease? Yes, it is possible to live a long and active life with Parkinson’s disease. Appropriate treatment, regular physical activity, medical support, and psychological support allow many people to maintain their independence and a satisfactory social life for many years. 10. Where can you find reliable information about Parkinson’s disease? For reliable information about Parkinson’s disease, it is recommended to consult:Your neurologist,Recognized patient associations,Institutional websites (university hospitals, scientific societies),Resources validated by healthcare professionals.

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