Dr. Maja Zorec

Dr. Maja Zorec is a medical oncologist at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana (OIL), Slovenia's national cancer center and the only institution in Slovenia providing the complete spectrum of cancer diagnosis and treatment. With 15 years of dedicated oncology practice, she has developed particular expertise in breast cancer and immunotherapy.

Dr. Zorec completed an advanced oncology fellowship at the University Hospital Zurich in Switzerland, gaining training in precision medicine, next-generation sequencing-guided therapy, and novel immunotherapy combinations. She returned to Ljubljana where she established a molecular tumor board consultation service.

She is committed to precision oncology, ensuring every patient benefits from molecular profiling where appropriate, and to involving patients in clinical trials when eligible. She is an ESMO member and participates in European oncology research networks.

Dr. Zorec is appreciated by her patients for her clear communication, her thorough explanation of treatment options, and her supportive approach throughout the cancer treatment journey.

Dr. Zorec obtained her MD from the University of Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine in 2006. She completed her oncology residency at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana and undertook an advanced oncology fellowship at the University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Switzerland (2011–2012). Her PhD from the University of Ljubljana in 2015 focused on predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy response in melanoma. She is an ESMO member and is certified by the Slovenian Medical Chamber in medical oncology.

Dr. Zorec's primary clinical focus is breast oncology including all subtypes — hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative — as well as ovarian, colorectal, lung cancer, and melanoma. She designs and oversees chemotherapy, targeted therapy (CDK4/6 inhibitors, HER2-directed agents, EGFR/ALK inhibitors for lung cancer), immune checkpoint inhibitor regimens, and hormone therapy. She integrates molecular tumor board recommendations and NGS profiling into individualized treatment plans and manages patients on clinical trial protocols at the OIL.

Dr. Zorec has published over 18 peer-reviewed articles in journals including Annals of Oncology and Cancer Medicine. Her research focuses on immunotherapy biomarkers, CDK4/6 inhibitor outcomes in breast cancer, and precision medicine in small country cancer populations. She collaborates with oncology centers in Switzerland and Germany and presents at ESMO congresses.

Dr. Zorec speaks Slovenian, German, and English and is accessible to international patients. The Institute of Oncology Ljubljana provides English and German-language consultation reports. Video consultations are available for second opinions. Slovenia's location adjacent to Italy, Austria, and Croatia makes it accessible from multiple European countries, and the OIL offers EU-standard oncology care at competitive costs.

Dr. Zorec received the Slovenian Society of Oncology Young Investigator Award in 2016. She was recognized by the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana for her role in establishing the molecular tumor board consultation service. She has received ESMO travel grants and was selected as a presenter at the ESMO Breast Cancer Annual Congress in 2022.