dr. Andreas Denys (MD)

Pelvic exenteration can be a curative treatment for locally advanced or recurrent pelvic tumours. This involves the removal of the internal reproductive organs together with the surrounding organs (such as bowel, bladder, etc.), nerves, blood vessels and lymph node tissue. This creates a large cavity in the pelvis. Most patients receive an urostomy and a second intestinal stoma. If the vagina is resected, it can be reconstructed. Mortality and morbidity rates have consistently improved over the years. With the growing number of long-term survivors, quality of life, intimacy and sexual health are becoming increasingly important. 
My research focuses on those patient reported outcomes after pelvic exenteration. In a mixed-methods study we are including patients who underwent pelvic exenteration and their partners to explore their experiences and needs regarding sexual function and intimacy after pelvic exenteration. Furthermore we explore the attitudes, perceptions, barriers and facilitators of healthcare professionals regarding this topic. Additionally, patients who underwent a bony resection due to a pelvic tumour can experience problems when sitting. This will be investigated further in a mixed-methods study, and will be quantified and visualized by analyzing pressure distribution while sitting. In collaboration with international partners, multicenter international research with expert centers will be conducted focusing on pelvic exenteration and on improving the outcomes of colorectal and general surgery patients. The aim is to improve patient selection for pelvic exenteration with vaginal reconstruction, improve the quality of care regarding sexual health in patients with pelvic tumours, to understand the contributing factors in sitting disability after major pelvic surgery with bony resections and to improve the patient reported outcomes after pelvic exenteration.  
 

I graduated as a medical doctor in 2024 at Ghent University, Belgium. After graduation I started as a surgical resident in the Ghent University Hospital from 2024 to 2025. As well as a student, as during my surgical traineeship, I continued performing research. This resulted in multiple publications, attendance to various international surgical congresses and presentations at those congresses. Since 2025, I combine my PhD research with a surgical traineeship at the Ghent University Hospital. 
 

• Patient reported outcomes after pelvic exenteration for colorectal cancer: a systematic review. Colorectal Disease 2022;00:1-16. (Q1, IF 3.4) DOI: 10.1111/codi.16028
• Quality of life after extended pelvic surgery with neurovascular or bony resections in gynecological oncology: a systematic review. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2024. (Q1, IF 3.7) DOI: 10.1245/s10434-023-14649-z
• A systematic review on female sexual function after surgery for locally advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer - first step to filling the knowledge gap. Shared first authorship. Colorectal Disease 2023;25:2294–2305. (Q1, IF 3.4) DOI: 10.1111/codi.16767
• A Preliminary Phenomenological Exploration of Experiences of the Empty Pelvis Syndrome Derived From a Modified‐Delphi: The Price of Survival Following Pelvic Exenteration for Advanced Pelvic Cancer. Psycho-Oncology (Q1, IF 3.6). DOI: 10.1002/pon.9316
• Oncological and functional outcomes after sacrectomy for colorectal cancer: a systematic review. Colorectal Disease (Q1, IF 2.9). DOI: 10.1111/codi.70083
• Perceptions and attitudes of healthcare professionals on discussing sexuality with cancer patients, including sexual minority groups - a mixed-methods study. European Journal of Oncology Nursing (Q1, IF2.7). DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2026.103100
   

• Lab address:
  Experimental Surgery Lab, entrance 37 – The Core,
  Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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• Andreas Denys is interested to receive invitations for presentations or talks