Radiation therapy

For many years, the clinic has been specializing in the treatment of oncological diseases. Currently, it is one of the largest modern centers in Germany, equipped with the latest technology. About 1,500 cancer patients are treated at this center every year. The radiotherapy clinic, working according to the latest international standards for diagnosis and treatment, is on a par with the world's leading centers specializing in the treatment of tumor diseases.

Here, the diagnostic and treatment processes are constantly being modernized in accordance with the latest scientific and technical developments. The Clinic of Radiation Therapy and Radiological Oncology employs not only highly qualified medical personnel, but also physicists who, together with doctors, process information and also control the technical condition of the equipment.

The Clinic for Radiation Therapy and Radiological Oncology specializes in the interdisciplinary radiation treatment of malignant diseases. Radiation therapy is required for approximately 50% of all patients suffering from malignant diseases. The goal of therapy is to destroy cancer cells while optimally sparing surrounding tissues and organs.

The timing of radiotherapy (before or after surgery), combination with other forms of treatment (eg chemotherapy) are determined collectively by medical specialists. To do this, oncological conferences are regularly held.

Currently, the clinic is equipped with three modern linear accelerators for the treatment of oncological diseases. This equipment guarantees a very precise effect on the tumor without damaging the surrounding tissues: the tumor is destroyed, healthy tissue is spared, and thus the unwanted side effects of radiation therapy are reduced. The latest software allows you to individually dose the radiation exposure and carry out therapy with absolutely targeted even with the minimum natural movements of the patient's body (breathing, heartbeat) during the procedure. One device is designed specifically for the treatment of metastases in the lungs and liver, the other is for the treatment of deep-seated tumors of the body and brain.

Thanks to the combination of modern linear accelerators with 3D CT scanners, it is possible to very clearly localize the tumor tissue for extremely precise irradiation.

Another advantage of treatment with this latest equipment is a significant reduction in the time of a radiation therapy session from 20-25 minutes to 10 minutes.

The clinic also deals with radiation therapy for benign diseases, such as arthrosis of the joints, epicondylitis of the external epicondyle of the humerus, and heel spurs.

Types of radiation therapy

• Sophisticated Conformal Radiation Therapy Techniques
• Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

This is a 360 degree volume modulated irradiation with real time computer software. When planning radiation therapy, the parameters of radiation exposure at the site of the tumor are set, taking into account the location of nearby organs. This type of therapy is especially indicated for tumors of the head, neck, prostate carcinoma, soft tissue sarcoma.

• Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
• Radiation therapy for breast carcinoma
• Interstitial therapy for prostate carcinoma (LDR and HDR - brachytherapy)

With brachytherapy rays only travel a short distance. This allows a high dose of radiation to be applied directly to the prostate gland. Due to the propagation of the rays only for a short distance, the bladder and rectum remain intact.

With LDR – Brachytherapy implants the smallest capsules with a radioactive substance (Seeds) into the organ affected by the tumor.

With HDR – brachytherapy hollow conductors are placed at the location of the tumor. Then, for the duration of the radiotherapy session, radiation sources are introduced into them. With this effective method of treatment, there are few complications.

• Radiation therapy of the body and cervix
• Radiation therapy for rectal carcinomas
• Simultaneous (combined) radiation and chemotherapy

Many diseases are treated with the simultaneous use of radiation and chemotherapy. Doctors of different specializations regularly discuss each clinical case at interdisciplinary oncological conferences and select the best treatment method for each patient individually.

• Radiation therapy for benign diseases

Clinic equipment

• Modern linear accelerator (Multi-Leaf Collimator, Portal-Imaging-System)
• Linear accelerator for radiotherapy during surgery
• System for 3D treatment planning, IMRT planning program
• Apparatus for close-focus radiotherapy (Afterloading)
• Equipment for the treatment of prostate carcinoma by introducing radioactively charged (J-125) capsules (seeds)