""

Treatment at NCT

The Heidelberg Head and Neck Tumor Center offers all modern possibilities for diagnosis and treatment of these tumor diseases.

At NCT, the procedures for diagnostics and treatment of patients with head and neck tumors are precisely defined. The definition of these standard operating procedures (SOPs) is established by the specialists of the Heidelberg Head and Neck Tumor Center and is updated at least once a year taking into account the current international standards.

In addition, the Heidelberg Head and Neck Tumor Center also offers a weekly interdisciplinary special consultation session for patients with head and neck cancer. Here, patients who are not eligible for a standardized treatment (for example, rare head and neck tumors, recurring tumors, independent second tumor) receive an interdisciplinary consultation and are referred to other cooperating departments for diagnosis and treatment. Each consultation session is attended by one senior physician of ENT, oral, and maxillofacial surgery; radiation and medical oncology. Furthermore, every treatment decision for a patient with a tumor that cannot be treated according to SOP is also discussed interdisciplinarily in a weekly tumor board meeting for head and neck tumors.

Examination methods/diagnostics

  • Panendoscopy, i. e., endoscopy of the larynx, upper trachea, and esophagus (with or without anesthesia), possibly with sampling of tissue
  • Imaging (CT, MRI, Sonography, PET-CT)
  • Search for sources of infections in the mouth and jaw area

Therapeutic procedures

  • Tumor resection and reconstruction by means of autologous tissue transplantation or epitheses, as well as skull base and robotic surgery
  • Precision radiation therapy (IMRT, IGRT, heavy-ion treatment, brachytherapy)
  • Systemic chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy

Aftercare

The department responsible for primary treatment coordinates aftercare following the completion of treatment.