Vincent Vander Poorten

Vincent Vander Poorten serves as a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Medicine, Department of Oncology, where he leads the Head and Neck Oncology unit at UZ Leuven. He holds significant institutional roles including membership in the Council of the Faculty of Medicine, the Council of the Department of Oncology, and the Programme Committee for Deglutology. As part of the KU Leuven Cancer Institute (LKI), his work bridges clinical practice with cutting-edge research in head and neck malignancies.

Professor Vander Poorten's research focuses on surgical oncology for head and neck cancers with particular expertise in salivary gland tumors, minimally invasive techniques, and translational research. His current projects include international collaborative evaluation of aggressive salivary gland neoplasms (2025-2029), novel applications for immune checkpoint blockers in head and neck cancer (2018-2024), and a clinical sabbatical focused on advancing minimally invasive oncological surgical techniques (2024). His work emphasizes improving surgical outcomes while developing evidence-based approaches for rare tumors including anterior skull base malignancies.

Analysis of Vander Poorten's 2025 publications reveals a strong thematic focus on salivary gland carcinoma management, oral squamous cell carcinoma outcomes, and innovative surgical techniques. His research demonstrates extensive international collaboration across European institutions including Padua, Pisa, Genova, and Auckland, with significant contributions to clinical validation studies, systematic reviews, and surgical innovation. The publications consistently address critical challenges in head and neck oncology including lymph node metastasis classification, postoperative complications, and long-term functional outcomes.

As Head of the Head and Neck Oncology unit, Vander Poorten supervises multiple research initiatives and leads a multidisciplinary team focused on comprehensive cancer care. His clinical sabbatical project involved establishing international partnerships for translational research on salivary gland carcinomas and anterior skull base tumors, while the AIRCARE project (AI-augmented Robotics for Cancer point of caRE) demonstrates his commitment to integrating technological innovation with surgical practice. His teaching responsibilities span multiple courses including Topographic Anatomy, Integrative Oncology, and Problem-Solving in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery.