VISION RT – UNIQUE IN NORTH GERMANY
Thanks to a pioneering, new innovation (unique throughout north Germany) called surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT), Strahlenzentrum Hamburg no longer needs to make any markings on patients’ skin.
Patient are positioned – without any markings and radiation exposure – to submillimetre accuracy
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and diagnosed about 70,000 times a year in Germany. Most patients require complementary radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in order to significantly minimise the risk of recurrence and ensure the cancer is fully cured.
At the planning phase, markings are applied with felt-tip pens to patients’ torsos to ensure that they are in the same position for all treatment sessions. Depending on the spread of the tumour, a course of radiation lasts 3 to 6 weeks. During this period, women are asked not to shower in the normal way, or do any sport, so that these markings aren’t rubbed off. In English-speaking countries, this is even done by adding permanent tattoos.
Which is why many patients don’t like these markings on their skin and looking in the mirror is also a daily reminder of the disease and therapy.
We’ve now switched to radiation with no markings (primarily for breast cancer) so that radiotherapy, which is not invasive anyway, is not something you perceive as hugely stressful.
As a result, despite undergoing therapy, you can take a bath to cool yourself down in summer. Your torso is virtually scanned and monitored during treatment with a pure and harmless light source. Some 20,000 fine light points digitally analyse the surface of your body before and during radiotherapy with 3D cameras at submillimetre accuracy. The result is greater effectiveness, safety and comfort for you as a patient.
We’re delighted to be able to offer you this innovative technology as of immediate effect.
THE FIRST CONSULTATION
The first consultation with our experts will allow you to discuss all details of your up-and-coming radiotherapy, or radiosurgical Cyberknife treatment in Hamburg. Please feel free to put any questions or voice any concerns. A consultation in English is also no problem. At the same time, we’d like to gain as detailed a picture as possible of you and the progression of your disease. We’d also like to hear about any diagnostic and therapeutic measures already carried out. Your radiotherapist will explain the procedure and treatment goal, as well as possible side effects, in a clear and detailed manner. We will also discuss alternatives to radiotherapy if these are appropriate for you.
We take the time to guide you through this new, unfamiliar situation so that you can make a fully informed decision. If you wish, please take some notes and bring your partner, a family member, or a person you trust to the consultation. It’s ideal if we can review your medical records a few days before this consultation. These are easy to upload HERE. The records and diagnostic images (CT, MRI or PET) allow our team to assess your medical history and consult other doctors treating you or your surgeon if required.
PLANNING RADIOTHERAPY
Our radiotherapists and physicists plan your radiotherapy at Strahlenzentrum Hamburg in detail. In this case, we’re aiming for maximum efficiency but a minimum risk to surrounding healthy tissue. We use imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to establish the exact location of the tissue requiring treatment. We then define the optimum volume and configuration for the region requiring radiation. We also calculate the best radiation dose and distribution for you.
A consistent procedure demands you adopt exactly the same position for each treatment. We make customised positioning supports for you to ensure this is the case.
Your torso is virtually scanned and monitored during treatment with a pure and harmless light source. Some 20,000 fine light points digitally analyse the surface of your body before and during radiotherapy with 3D cameras at submillimetre accuracy. During the treatment, you lie down and relax in the therapy room. An intercom and video system keep you in constant contact with our team. Should you experience any problems or discomfort, we can stop the radiotherapy at any time if necessary. Depending on the concept, each session lasts between five and 15 minutes.
We’d be happy to answer your questions about special skin care or personal care, diet and any other routines.
A detailed final consultation with your radiotherapist will be carried out after you last session. We want to engage with you personally and as healthcare specialists. During the consultation, we’ll be interested in finding out whether acute symptoms of irritation have subsided promptly. We’ll discuss post-treatment care options and examinations. And above all, we’ll want to know how you’re feeling.
There’s nothing more important than your health. And we’ll treat you with the utmost respect and give you top priority.