Targeted, effective & personalised
Radiotherapy forms part of the treatment for more than half of all cancers. We support you from your first consultation right through to your final session – on an outpatient basis and on a personal level.
Basics
Ionising radiation damages the DNA of tumour cells, preventing them from dividing and causing them to die. Healthy cells surrounding the tumour are better able to regenerate – and radiotherapy exploits this difference.
Modern radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT (intensity-modulated radiotherapy) or stereotactic radiotherapy allow for extremely precise dose distribution: high doses to the tumour, with minimal exposure to surrounding tissue.
Curative vs. palliative radiotherapy: Curative therapy aims to cure the disease. Palliative therapy aims to control symptoms and improve quality of life – for example, in cases of bone or brain metastases.
Indications
Radiotherapy is indicated for a wide range of malignant diseases – either as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy.
Standard procedure following breast-conserving surgery. Significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. Modern techniques minimise the strain on the heart and lungs.
An equivalent curative alternative to surgery (for locally confined prostate cancer).
IMRT or – where indicated – brachytherapy, with excellent long-term results
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) may be an alternative to surgery for selected patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced NSCLC.
Often used in combination with chemotherapy (radiochemotherapy) for Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
Whole-brain radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma Knife / LINAC) for brain metastases.
Pre-operative chemoradiotherapy significantly improves the likelihood of the tumour being operable and the chances of a cure.
Combination therapy
Radiochemotherapy – the simultaneous use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy – is more effective for many types of tumour than either treatment alone. Cytostatic drugs make tumour cells more sensitive to radiation (radiosensitisation).
At the same time, distant metastases can be treated systemically, whilst local tumour control is optimised by radiotherapy.
FAQ
First, we will work with you to draw up a radiotherapy plan, based on your test results and a planning CT scan. The actual course of radiotherapy usually begins one to two weeks later. Each session lasts only a few minutes, during which you will lie still on the treatment table. You will not feel the radiation. Follow-up consultations with your doctor will take place regularly.
