ALK-positive lung cancer is rare, which makes the diagnosis all the more confusing — for you and for the people around you. We are a Belgian patient association, founded by patients and their families. We connect you with specialists who know this mutation, with reliable information, and with others who understand what you are going through.
Our community
Patients
An ALK-positive diagnosis can feel overwhelming. ALK-positive lung cancer is treatable, and targeted therapies have substantially improved treatment outcomes. Treatment options depend on each person's situation, and research continues to advance.
~4%
of all lung cancers are caused by the ALK translocation
~65%
of ALK+ patients have never smoked
~50%
are under 50 years old at the time of diagnosis
2,500+
members across 50 countries in the worldwide ALK+ network
“ALK-positive” refers to an alteration in the ALK gene (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase) which results in an uncontrolled multiplication of certain cells which causes a particular type of lung cancer.
Anyone with lungs is at risk. This rare cancer can only be diagnosed through molecular testing.
Our stories on film
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«I'm grateful for the five extra years I got to spend with my mother.»
Bruyère is 22 years old. This summer, she lost her mother Florence to ALK+, a rare form of lung cancer, after a five-year struggle. Though the loss is overwhelming, she also looks back with a sense of gratitude. “My mother wasn't fighting against cancer; she was fighting for life. That's why it feels like we gained five years.”
Bruyère Zimmermann
«From then on, I have been taking TKIs and the cancer is stable.»
In March 2018, I was diagnosed with lung cancer NSCLC. After 1.5 years on immunotherapy, a biopsy revealed that I am ALK+. From then on, I have been taking TKIs and the cancer is stable.
Paula
Our private Facebook group is open to patients at any stage, to family members and caregivers, and to health professionals who support the ALK+ community. Low-threshold, at your own pace, among people who understand what you are going through.
At every stage of your journey — newly diagnosed or years in.
Relatives and friends who want to understand and support.
Professionals who support the ALK+ community.
We don't give medical advice — that remains your doctor's work. What we do is gather reliable information and bring the ALK+ community together.
We gather and make sense of information about ALK-positive lung cancer, from sources we check ourselves.
What does this mean here? We translate international developments into Belgian care and reimbursement.
Through our private group and the monthly T'ALK café you meet others who know what you are talking about.
We carry the voice of ALK+ patients to healthcare professionals, policymakers and researchers.
Everything about ALK-positive lung cancer and our work, gathered in one document.
Marie-Ange has a rare form of lung cancer, sometimes called light-smoker or non-smoker lung cancer, caused by a genetic alteration. She is seeing promising results from targeted therapy.
On 1 September 2026, Lung Cancer Europe launches its 12th annual survey for people affected by lung cancer. The survey helps build a clearer picture of the experiences, needs and challenges of people living with lung cancer across Europe.
New international research shows that age may be linked to the genetic characteristics of lung cancer. The findings are particularly interesting for people with ALK-positive lung cancer.
