About the Department of Adult and Pediatric Proton Therapy at University Hospital Essen
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Proton Therapy at the University Hospital Essen offers the full range of proton treatment and it is one of the leading and most progressive medical facilities of this kind not only in Germany, but throughout the world. The proton therapy is mostly used for the treatment of tumors of the eye, brain, spine and pelvic organs. Also, the proton therapy is an excellent treatment of tumors in children, since it has a minimal negative effect on the immature, sensitive tissues of the child’s body. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Beate Timmermann.
The proton therapy is a modern and accurate type of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer, which is considered particularly sparing and effective due to its physical properties. The standard indications for proton therapy include chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base and axial skeleton, tumors of the ocular fundus and solid tumors in children.
The department is equipped with four therapeutic rooms with different proton modalities and the possibility of image guidance using X-ray, CT and MRI. The most important attention is paid to proton therapy in children (even under the age of 5 years). Also, since January 2015, the department offers a comprehensive irradiation of the central nervous system (craniospinal proton therapy). The advantages of proton therapy include its highest possible accuracy, scientifically proven efficacy and good tolerability (usually patients can immediately return to everyday life and do not experience serious side effects).
The department specializes in proton therapy in the following oncological diseases:
- Oncopathology in adult patients
- Stage I or II gliomas
- Glioblastomas
- Meningiomas
- Craniopharyngiomas
- Ependymomas, medulloblastomas, germinomas (also, the treatment of craniospinal neoplasms)
- Chordomas/chondrosarcomas of the skull base, spine and pelvic organs
- Glomus tumors
- Bone and soft tissue sarcomas of the skull base, spine and pelvic organs
- Nasopharyngeal cancer
- Cancer of the paranasal sinuses
- Progressive tumors of the pelvic organs, accompanied by lymph efflux disorders
- Salivary gland cancer
- Adenoid cystic carcinomas
- Prostate cancer (intermediate and high-risk stages)
- Complicated recurrent cancer cases
- Oncopathology in children (including children under 5 years old)
- Tumors of the central nervous system
- Parameningeal/craniofacial tumors
- Spinal tumors
- Pelvic tumors
- Other oncological diseases in adults and children
Curriculum vitae
Professional Activities
- 1993 Doctoral Degree, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hamburg, Germany.
- 2000 PhD thesis defense, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuebingen (Supervisor: Prof. M. Bamberg).
- 2002 Medical Specialist in Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology.
- 2002 - 2005 Head of the Center for Pediatric Proton Radiation Therapy Program (ZPT), Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland.
- 2005 - 2009 Deputy Medical Director of the Center for Pediatric Proton Radiation Therapy Program (ZPT), Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland.
- 2007 Habilitation in Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Muenster (Supervisor: Prof. Dr. N. Willich).
- 2009 - 2011 Deputy Medical Director of the West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE).
- 2011 - 2013 Medical Director of the West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE).
- 2012 Invitation to the Department of Radiation Therapy (focus on proton therapy) at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
- 2013 Appointment as the Medical Director of the West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE).
- 2014 Appointment to the position of the Head of the Department of Proton Therapy at the University Hospital Essen.
Clinical Focuses
- Sarcomas in childhood and adulthood.
- Chordomas and chondrosarcomas in childhood and adulthood.
- Brain tumors in childhood and adulthood.
- Theoretical and practical application of proton therapy.
- Clinical quality provision in radiation therapy.
- Craniospinal axis radiation therapy.
- Development of guidelines for the treatment of tumors in childhood and adolescence.
- Interdisciplinary researches.
Research Focuses
- Examination of brain tumors and sarcomas.
- Multimodal therapy in children with oncopathology.
- Detection of late effects and quality of life after radiation and proton therapy.
- Intensity-modulated proton therapy.
Memberships in Professional Societies
- German Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (DEGRO).
- German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH).
- Working Group on Pediatric Radiation Oncology (APRO).
- European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO).
- Scientific Association of Swiss Radiation Oncology (SASRO).
- Proton Therapy Cooperative Group (PTCOG).
- German Cancer Society (DKG).
- International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP).
- Cancer Society of North Rhine-Westphalia.
- Certification Commission of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology.
- Primo Medico Network expert postal.
- Leading Medicine Guide expert portal.
Photo of the doctor: (c) Universitätsklinikum Essen