Outstanding institutions in research and patient care, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), the Heidelberg Medicine Faculty of the Heidelberg University and the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg have joined forces in order to provide best patient care. Cancer patients receive state of the art therapy at the NCT. Physicians and scientists from multiple disciplines work side by side to implement new promising research results as fast as possible. All of them follow the core concept of the NCT: Together against cancer – with focus on the patient.
The NCT in Heidelberg
Translating new insights rapidly into application
The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg combines outstanding patient care with excellent cancer research. The latest research results are to be rapidly implemented into better treatment and prevention strategies (translation).
Strength through strong partners
The NCT Heidelberg was founded in 2004. It is supported by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University Hospital Heidelberg (UKHD), the Heidelberg Medical Faculty of the Heidelberg University and the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg. The German Cancer Aid supports the NCT Heidelberg as a Center for Oncology.
Shaping the future
The NCT has the long-term goal of sustainably advancing excellent clinical cancer research in Germany and improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients. The first NCT was established in Heidelberg in 2004, followed by the second in Dresden in 2015. In 2023, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) announced four new locations – Berlin, South-West (Tübingen/Stuttgart-Ulm), WERA (Würzburg/Erlangen/Regensburg/Augsburg) and West (ESsen/Cologne). This means that six NCT locations are cooperating with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
Excellent Patient Care
Patients are the focus of our attention. We act as a central portal for all cancer patients at UKHD and coordinate numerous oncological studies of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD).
The NCT Heidelberg offers...
- A central point of contact for all cancer patients
- Specialized consultations for all tumor types
- In-depth diagnostic as basis for the individual treatment planning
- Interdisciplinary tumor conferences (Tumor Boards)
- a wide range of consultation services and self-help options
Valuable networking of clinical practice and research
Together against cancer
Whether in surgery, molecular therapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy: At the NCT Heidelberg, scientists and physicians from the DKFZ and UKHD are working together to develop innovative diagnostics and treatment strategies.
Personal – individual – targeted
The NCT Heidelberg stands for personalized cancer medicine. Molecular and immunological investigations can identify changes in tumors that are relevant for cancer formation and treatment. Our aim is to use this knowledge to develop tailor-made precise treatment procedures for all patients.
Active against cancer
Interdisciplinary teams are investigating how to preserve health, reduce side-effects, and improve patients’ quality of life.