High-intensity induction chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with complications in Hospital Neuperlach Munich

About the department

The Department of Hematology and Oncology at the Hospital Neuperlach Munich offers the full range of medical services for the diagnostics and treatment of solid malignant tumors and malignant blood diseases. The department is part of a large Cancer Center in southern Germany – Cancer Center Munich Süd. The department also offers services of the Colon Cancer Center certified by the German Cancer Society. The patients with this pathology receive effective treatment in the center. The department's doctors have in their arsenal many therapeutic methods, which help them to achieve a complete cure for cancer or long-term remission of the disease. The specialists of the medical facility prefer an interdisciplinary and individual approach to each patient, and also necessarily take into account the psychological aspect, since cancer has a huge impact on the patient's emotional state and often causes the development of depressive conditions. The department employs a highly competent medical team consisting of 15 specialized doctors and 30 nursing staff who work for the benefit of their patients. The department annually treats more than 4,000 patients both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Meinolf Karthaus.

The treatment of oncological diseases is a rather complex clinical task and requires an interdisciplinary approach. Therefore, the department holds weekly tumor boards with the participation of oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, chemotherapists, radiologists, as well as highly specialized experts (gastroenterologists, coloproctologists, gynecologists, etc.). The specialists jointly study the patient's anamnesis, his diagnostic data, assess his overall health status, and then decide on the advisability of surgical resection of a solid tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other types of treatment. The patients also have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials of innovative drugs and therapeutic procedures. It goes without saying that the participation in clinical trials is voluntary. In addition, the department offers patients with incurable cancers palliative care aimed at relieving pain and improving their quality of life.

The treatment of leukemia is of particular interest to the department's medical team. The most common blood cancers include acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. To confirm the diagnosis and determine the exact type of leukemia, the patient needs to undergo a complex of diagnostic tests, including blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, ultrasound, CT and MRI scanning. If the diagnostic results confirm the oncological process, the doctors will develop an optimal treatment regimen, taking into account specific clinical indications. The patients with leukemia are treated in strict accordance with the requirements of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the German Society of Hematology and Oncology. The basis of the treatment regimen is chemotherapy, which in most cases is administered by infusion. Some patients, especially those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, additionally undergo radiation therapy. In case of chronic leukemias, the first-line treatment is targeted therapy, for example, therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. If the pathology continues to progress, the patient will also undergo chemotherapy. The last-line treatment for both acute and chronic leukemias is bone marrow transplantation. Autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplants are performed in collaboration with colleagues from the Hospital Schwabing Munich and, if required, form the university hospitals in Munich.

One of the most common types of cancer in women is breast cancer. The department has excellent diagnostic capabilities for a comprehensive assessment of the condition of the breast. During the initial examination, the mammologist conducts breast palpation followed by mammography. Mammography can be supplemented with high-resolution ultrasound scanning. If doctors detect pathological neoplasms in the breast, they will appoint a biopsy for a woman. At an interdisciplinary tumor board with the participation of mammologists, gynecologists, oncologists and radiologists, the specialists study the obtained diagnostic data and elaborate the most effective treatment regimen based on the current clinical protocols and requirements of the German Cancer Society. In most cases, a woman with breast cancer requires surgical resection of the tumor and sometimes a total mastectomy (total removal of the breast). The total mastectomy is followed by reconstructive plastic surgery aimed at restoring the aesthetic appearance of the breast. Typically, surgery is complemented by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. In addition, the department successfully uses such innovative treatments as hormone therapy and antibody therapy. Throughout the therapeutic process, experienced psychologists work with the patients to help them cope with emotional distress and difficulties on their way to recovery.

The treatment of uterine, cervical, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar cancers is also within the competence of the department's doctors. The first-line therapy for these cancers in women is surgical resection of the malignancy, which is performed using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. A woman also often has to undergo chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy to completely destroy cancer cells. In some cases, antihormone therapy can be used.

An equally important focus of ​​work of the department's oncologists is the treatment of colon cancer. The department is proud of its outstanding achievements in this area and the certificate of the German Cancer Society. Today, colon cancer is one of the most common and dangerous types of oncology. The pathology is difficult to detect in the early stages, which leads to a poor prognosis of treatment. However, the specialists of the medical facility have a wealth of experience in the treatment of colon cancer and manage to achieve a successful treatment outcome in the fight against it. During the treatment, not only oncologists work with the patient, but also surgeons, gastroenterologists, coloproctologists, radiologists and other doctors who jointly decide on a particular type of therapy.

The department specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of the following diseases:

• Lymphomas
• Leukemias
  • Acute myeloid leukemia
  • Acute lymphocytic leukemia
  • Chronic myeloid leukemia
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
• Breast cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Vulvar cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Colon cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Gastrointestinal cancers
• Lung and pleural cancers
• Other diseases

The therapeutic options of the department include:

• Surgical resection of solid malignant tumors (in cooperation with specialists from the Department of Surgery)
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Antibody therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Palliative care
• Psychological support
• Other therapies