Dirk Schrijvers MD, PhD, studied medicine at the Limburgse Universitaire Campus, Diepenbeek, Belgium (1978-1981) and graduated from the Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Belgium (1981-1985). He obtained a degree in Tropical Medicine at the Institute of Tropical Medicine "Prins Leopold", Antwerp, Belgium in 1986. From 1988 till 1993, he went on to specialize in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology at the Universitaire Instelling Antwerpen, Edegem, Belgium. Dr. Schrijvers obtained his doctoral degree (PhD) in Medical Sciences after defending the thesis: “Anticancer drugs in head and neck cancer: clinical pharmacologic studies." He received postgraduate training in epidemiology and public health, clinical pharmacology, management and palliative care.

 
Working for 2 years in Africa (Franceville, Gabon) at the Centre International de Recherches Médicales he had the opportunity to study infectious diseases. After finishing his specialization in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, he was employed at the Department of Medical Oncology of the University Hospital of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (1993-2000). Here he was responsible for new drug development, head and neck cancer, and palliative care. From 2000- 2001, he worked as a Medical Oncologist at the Department of Medical Oncology of the AZ. Jan Palfijn, Merksem, Belgium. Actually, he is head of the Department Hematology-Oncology, Ziekenhuisnetwerk Antwerpen- Middelheim, Antwerp, Belgium and is responsible for new drug development, head and neck cancer, urological cancer and supportive and palliative care.

He published more than 140 articles on infectious diseases, anticancer drugs (phase I, II and III studies), head and neck cancer and palliative care and education in peer-reviewed journals. He both wrote and edited books on oncological emergencies, advanced cancer care, principles of targeted therapy, prostate cancer, cancer prevention, palliative care and medical oncology and is an editorial member of journals on cancer treatment, palliative care and studio glass (Fjoezzz).

Dr. Schrijvers is a certified member of ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) and BSMO (Belgian Society of Medical Oncology). He is past Chairman of the ESMO Educational Committee and actively participates as an ESMO Faculty member and in ESMO's Palliative Care Working Group, the Cancer Prevention Working group and Educational Committee. He is chair of the ESMO publishing working group.

He is past Chairman of the Education and Training Committee of FECS.

As a member of the board of “Palliative Hulpverlening Antwerpen (PHA)”, the “Antwerps Kanker Informatie- en Ontmoetingscentrum (AKIO),” and the “Witgele Kruis” dr. Schrijvers actively supports the continuing care of cancer patients outside the hospitals in the Antwerp region.

He is also a member of several advisory boards.