Here you will find further information on the homepage of the CCCU at Ulm University Hospital. Below we have summarised the diagnostics and the tumours treated in the Department of General and Visceral Surgery as well as the surgical and multimodal treatment.

Precise diagnosis is the basis for successful treatment. An early and interdisciplinary assessment before starting treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery and a good quality of life.

Sarcomas are rare tumours, which is why it is important to plan treatment carefully. The following steps should be taken before any treatment:

1. Imaging (e.g. MRI or CT)
2. Tissue sampling (biopsy)
3. Discussion in the interdisciplinary tumour board

Studies show that this structured approach improves the treatment outcome and the chances of survival. As sarcomas are rarely an emergency, there is usually enough time to adhere to this sequence.

A frequent concern of patients is that a biopsy could promote tumour growth. This risk has been proven to be very low in the case of sarcomas. On the contrary: if a biopsy is omitted, there is an increased risk of incorrect treatment decisions. A professionally performed biopsy is safe and important for treatment planning.

GISTs are rare tumours of the gastrointestinal tract and the most common mesenchymal tumours in this area.

In many cases, GISTs can be operated on using minimally invasive techniques. This gentle method often leads to a faster recovery and less strain on the body.

Treatment options:

• Surgery: The aim is to completely remove the tumour with a safe distance to healthy tissue.
• Drug therapy (tyrosine kinase inhibitors): These targeted drugs are used to stop tumour growth or reduce the risk of recurrence. In some cases, this therapy is carried out before surgery in order to shrink the tumour.
• Individual therapy planning: The exact treatment depends on the histological examination and genetic changes (mutations) in the tumour.

In the case of advanced disease with metastases, drug treatment usually takes centre stage. Here too, a precise analysis of the tumour is decisive for the success of the therapy.

Desmoid tumours are rare, benign connective tissue tumours that do not spread (do not form metastases) but can grow very aggressively locally. They often occur in the following areas:

• Arms or legs (extremities)
• Trunk (trunk of the body)
• Abdominal cavity

At the Department of General and Visceral Surgery, we only treat desmoid tumours of the abdomen and trunk.

It is not possible to reliably predict whether a desmoid tumour will grow, stand still or even regress. Today, a wait-and-see approach is often initially chosen ("active surveillance"). This involves checking the tumour regularly without intervening immediately. The reason for this is that the majority of desmoid tumours show no further growth or even spontaneous regression over time. In these cases, stressful therapies can be dispensed with.

If the tumour causes symptoms or grows significantly, various treatment options are available. However, surgical interventions are carefully considered today, as they can be associated with restrictions in quality of life.

Desmoid tumours can develop spontaneously or occur in connection with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).