PROFILE

The University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is one of the largest hospitals in northern Germany. It has a long tradition of treating international patients, with patients seeking treatment in Germany from UKE's renowned professors and doctors.

Martini-Klinik is a specialist prostate cancer clinic within the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). UKE is one of the largest hospitals in northern Germany and has a long tradition of treating international patients, seeking treatment in Germany from UKEs renowned professors and doctors.

Prostate cancer clinic in Germany

The Martini-Klinik is a state-of-the-art clinic for prostate cancer treatment, which is run under the direction of Professor Dr. Hartwig Huland, Professor Dr. Markus Graefen and Professor Dr. Hans Heinzer. The clinic is one of the leading prostate cancer centres worldwide and in 2010 alone, the doctors at the clinic performed nearly 1,800 prostate removals. Patients will receive excellent medical care, at university level with the healing process being supported by an atmosphere of trust in a comfortable environment that fulfils every requirement.

The focus of all efforts is always the patient, who at the Martini-Klinik undergoes customized treatment according to his illness. Together with the specially trained urology nursing team, the internationally renowned experts attend to each patient individually during the treatment of prostate cancer. The active involvement of the patient and his family in this process is of utmost importance.

All treatments are based on the latest scientific findings and research and before they are applied they are carefully checked by the Martini-Klinik surgeons. Several extensive databases and tissue banks allow prostate cancer research that is unparalleled. Pseudonymized disease-related information and blood and tissue samples of more than 25,000 patients are available to the Martini-Klinik for scientific research.

Prostate cancer treatment in Germany

Radical retropubic prostatectomy

The Martini-Klinik offers the traditional surgical removal of the prostate, called radical retropubic prostatectomy, wherein the prostate is removed manually by the surgeon. The complete surgical removal of the prostate is particularly appropriate as a treatment option if the cancer is limited to the prostate, when this procedure offers the greatest chance of recovery. Read more about radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Prostate cancer surgery with the daVinci® system

Prostate removal with the surgical system daVinci® is a modern, minimally invasive surgical technique. The surgeon controls the operation via the daVinci® system and has full command of the system at all times. The daVinci® system is a precise micro-surgical instruments that are as flexible as human hands. Cameras provide the surgeon with three-dimensional, 10x magnified images of the surgical field.

The advantages of daVinci® prostatectomy:

• small incisions and small scars
• significantly less blood loss
• a blood transfusion rate of less than one percent
• millimetre precision and stable movement
• excellent view of the surgical field

Read more about prostate cancer surgery with the daVinci® system.

Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is a thoroughly proven form of internal radiotherapy. There are two different forms: LDR brachytherapy (seed implantation) and HDR brachytherapy (afterloading). Read more about brachytherapy.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy can be an alternative to surgery as the primary treatment of prostate cancer, locally advanced tumour stages after a prostatectomy and recurrences of prostate cancer. Read more about radiotherapy.

Tomotherapy

Tomotherapy is a procedure using a state-of-the-art radiation device consisting of a linear accelerator and a CT scanner. The radiation device moves around the patient and is controlled by an integrated computer tomograph which allows exact determination of the location of cancerous tumours. Read more about tomotherapy.

Drug therapy

Hormone deprivation therapy can stop and control tumour growth over an extended period but cannot cure the tumour. The male sex hormone testosterone has a significant influence on the development of prostate cancer. The effect of this hormone can be blocked by administering tablets of antiandrogens. Read more about drug therapy.

Results of prostate cancer treatment abroad

98 percent of UKE patients whose prostates were removed and whose tumours were detected at an organ-confined stage (pT2 tumours) are still alive ten years after the surgery. Even patients with advanced tumours (pT3 and pT4) exhibit survival rates of 72 to 95 percent. Read more about the results of prostate cancer treatment abroad.

Medical tourism services for prostate cancer treatment abroad

The UKE International Office was founded to optimally support international guests who come with different goals and expectations during the planning and implementation of their stays at the UKE.

From the first inquiry to the departure to the home country, the dedicated employees of the International Office will guide patients in all administrative and organizational matters, paying special attention to personal, cultural, and religion-related needs. All incoming requests are handled in this department. English, Russian, Arabic and Bulgarian speaking case managers assure a smooth process for all guests.

University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf: Obesity surgery in Germany

The University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) is one of the largest hospitals in northern Germany. It has a long tradition of treating international patients, with patients seeking treatment in Germany from UKEs renowned professors and doctors.

Am I eligible for obesity surgery in Germany?

If conservative (non-surgical) treatment options fail such as drug therapy, then surgical procedures for treating obesity may be a last resort for certain patients. You are eligible for obesity surgery if have:

• Body mass index > 40kg/m2
• Body mass index > 35kg/m2 with serious co morbidities
• Obesity present for more than 5 years
• Exclusion of metabolic disorders
• No unstable psychiatric illnesses, alcohol abuse, or drug use
• Ability of the patient to co-operate
• Acceptable surgical risk

Extreme obesity treatment abroad in Germany

UKE can treat even extreme forms of obesity (BMI > 60kg/m2). In these cases bypass procedures are generally an option. Your consultant will determine which procedure is suitable for you during a personal consultation. Find out if you are suitable for obesity surgery abroad.

Weight loss surgery in Germany

All weight loss surgery procedures are minimally invasive, using the keyhole technique (laparoscopy). In suitable patients the single-port technique (SILS, only one trocar) or passage through natural body openings (NOS, NOTES) can be considered. These innovative methods reduce postoperative pain and offer better cosmetic results since they are mostly invisible.

Gastric Band

The gastric band is an aid that can facilitate weight loss by reducing food intake. During the gastric band surgery an adjustable band is placed around the stomach, dividing it into a small new stomach close to the esophagus and a residual stomach. If all goes as planned, the patient loses approximately 50% of his excess weight over time. Read more about gastric band surgery in Germany.

Sleeve Gastrectomy

Sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure during which a large portion of the stomach is removed. The stomach thus loses much of its capacity, ensuring that only small portions can be ingested. This surgery is usually performed only as part of a combined restrictive/malabsorptive procedure. Read more about sleeve gastrectomy surgery in Germany.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypasses are among the most commonly used surgical procedures. Sections of the small intestine are bypassed to reduce the surface area for absorption and less food can be digested. After the operation the patient must take certain vitamin, iron, mineral, and trace element supplements for the rest of his life. Read more about gastric bypass surgery in Germany.

Duodenal Switch

A duodenal switch procedure is usually considered in cases of extreme obesity. It consists of a stomach reduction by means of a sleeve procedure and a malabsorptive aspect with a relatively short common small intestinal channel, and to reduce the risk of surgery can be performed in two stages. Read more about duodenal switch surgery in Germany.

Biliopancreatic Diversion

Similar to a duodenal switch procedure, a biliopancreatic diversion can be performed in cases of extreme obesity. The procedure is again consists of a stomach reduction and a malabsorptive aspect with a significantly shorter common small intestinal channel. Read more about biliopancreatic diversion surgery in Germany.

Remedial Operations

In cases in where the gastric band has not led to sufficient weight loss surgery or the desired result, then the patient can have further surgery to convert it to a gastric bypass. Read more about remedial obesity operations in Germany.

CONTACT US