Bronchial carcinoma (also known as bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchus carcinoma or lung cancer) is a malignant neoplasm of degenerated cells in the bronchi or bronchioles. Bronchial carcinoma is one of the most common and most dangerous types of cancer. The number of cases of lung cancer has increased significantly over the last 50 years: along with breast, prostate and bowel cancer, lung cancer is one of the most common tumour diseases in western industrialised nations. In Germany, around 50,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year, making it the third most common type of cancer in both sexes. One of the main causes of this cancer is smoking, but non-smokers can also be affected. Although it can be cured if detected early, the spread to surrounding organs is dangerous. This process is the formation of metastases, which can make treatment more difficult.
Diagnostics for histological confirmation and determination of the tumour stage (staging) can be carried out on an outpatient or inpatient basis. All examinations, including PET/CT, can be carried out in-house by the radiology and nuclear medicine departments. Our high-performance bronchoscopy (lung endoscopy) with cryo and mini probe offers excellent possibilities for confirming the diagnosis. It is possible to clarify abnormal lymph nodes using endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). In addition to the clinical routine, we test our patients' tissue samples individually for genetic changes (e.g. EGFR or ALK mutation). Using the "Next Generation Sequencing" available at the centre, further molecular markers can be determined within a short period of time. This more precise characterisation of the tumour tissue offers the possibility of individualised and targeted therapy or immunotherapy. As a member of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm (CCCU), we organise a joint interdisciplinary tumour conference every week. Here, issues are discussed with colleagues from thoracic surgery, pathology, radiology and nuclear medicine as well as radiotherapy and oncology and therapy concepts are discussed with all those involved.
Our staff have many years of experience in the treatment of lung tumours and are characterised by their competent and personal care of patients. Drug therapy can be carried out in our Medical Oncology Day Clinic (MOT) or as an inpatient.
Our bronchoscopy (lung endoscopy) can be used to recanalise a bronchus or insert a stent into the airways. In addition, a puncture or drainage procedure (e.g. Denver drainage) can be arranged without complications in the event of an accumulation of water in the chest ("pleural effusion").
he Thoracic and Vascular Surgery section focuses on the surgical treatment of diseases of the lungs, the pleura and the mediastinum, i.e. the chest cavity between the two lungs (mediastinum), as well as diseases of the arterial and venous vascular tract. In terms of surgical procedures, we favour minimally invasive approaches (video-assisted and robotically assisted thoracic surgery) in order to minimise the stress for our patients.
As a university centre, we can offer our patients a wide range of interdisciplinary care with colleagues from psychosomatic medicine, nutritional counselling, the social counselling service and bridge nursing. If you have any questions about a living will, we will be happy to put you in touch with the Living Will Working Group. Thanks to our broad study portfolio, our patients can participate in medical progress at an early stage. As part of international studies, we offer numerous innovative therapy concepts with targeted and personalised therapy at the cutting edge of science.