Department of Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Urogynecology, Mammology and Obstetrics - Hospital Harlaching Munich

About the Department of Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Urogynecology, Mammology and Obstetrics at Hospital Harlaching Munich

The Department of Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology, Urogynecology, Mammology and Obstetrics at the Hospital Harlaching Munich offers the full range of high-quality medical services in the areas of its specialization. The focus of the department's gynecologists is on the patients with suspected cancer of the female genital organs and breast cancer. In these medical areas, the department is certified by the German Cancer Society, and therefore it has modern therapeutic methods and highly qualified personnel to provide effective care for women with cancers. The department also deals with the treatment of such benign gynecologic diseases as uterine fibroids and endometriosis. In addition, the specialists of the medical facility provide conservative and surgical treatment of urogynecologic diseases – urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. The department annually treats more than 5,500 patients with diseases of varying severity. The medical facility has the status of the Level I Perinatal Center. It provides comprehensive obstetric services for pregnancy monitoring, childbirth and postpartum care. More than 2,300 babies are born in the department's birthing rooms every year. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Scholz.

The department's medical team specializes in the treatment of cervical cancer and regularly demonstrates high treatment success rates for this pathology. After studying the patient's medical history and clinical examination, the doctor appoints the required diagnostic examinations to confirm or exclude the diagnosis. As a rule, the diagnostics includes laboratory tests, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound scanning and biopsy. In some cases, positron emission tomography (PET) or combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) may be required. After receiving the results of the examination, the clinical case of each patient is considered at a weekly interdisciplinary tumor board with the participation of gynecologists, oncologists, chemotherapists, radiation therapists, etc. The main therapeutic options for cervical cancer are radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. The decision to carry out certain therapeutic procedures is made cooperatively by the doctors of the tumor board. If cervical cancer is detected in women of childbearing age, the department's specialists select the optimal course of therapy, after which a woman can have children in the future (for example, doctors avoid the removal of the uterus). Some women undergo a total mesometrial resection, the essence of which is to remove tissues related to the cervix and with a single morphogenetic structure. The procedure eliminates trauma to the bladder, vagina and intestines. Total mesometrial resection gives a very good chance for a complete cure. The department also offers such additional treatment methods as art therapy, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, massage, lymphatic drainage and naturopathy methods. Psychological care is an integral part of the therapeutic process, since most women with cancer cannot cope with emotional distress on their own.

Special attention in the department's clinical practice is given to the treatment of breast cancer. The department's specialists always use an interdisciplinary approach, so the therapy is provided cooperatively by gynecologists, mammologists, oncologists, radiologists, radiation therapists and chemotherapists. It goes without saying that the doctors consider each clinical case individually and develop an optimal treatment regimen for each woman, taking into account her clinical indications, age and other factors. The first-line treatment for patients with breast cancer is surgical resection of the tumor. It should be noted that in 80% of cases, the department's surgeons manage to perform effective resection of a malignant tumor, while preserving the breast. However, in advanced stages of cancer, the doctors still have to resort to total mastectomy (total removal of the breast). The department cooperates with highly qualified plastic surgeons who successfully perform breast reconstructive surgery using implants and the patient's own tissues. The surgical treatment is complemented by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, anti-hormone therapy and antibody therapy.

The department's urogynecologists deal with the treatment of various types of urinary incontinence. Ultrasound, cystoscopy and urodynamic examinations are common examinations for making an accurate diagnosis. The first-line therapy is a course of physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, as well as drug treatment. If conservative techniques do not allow the doctors to achieve the desired result, they resort to interventional procedures and surgical interventions. The doctors specialize in botulinum toxin injection therapy, TVT procedures, colposuspension and neuromodulation. The department also provides treatment for pelvic organ prolapse. This pathology mostly requires surgical correction, but in some cases conservative treatment with the use of pessaries can be sufficient.

As the Level I Perinatal Center, the department offers comprehensive management of pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care for the mother and baby. The department's obstetricians have successful experience in high risk pregnancies and multiple pregnancies. The department's birthing rooms are equipped according to the modern standards of German medicine. The birthing rooms also include baths for childbirth in water. If desired, the woman will be offered pain management during childbirth: epidural anesthesia, acupuncture, aromatherapy, homeopathy, relaxation baths. The obstetricians annually deliver more than 2,300 babies, which guarantees maximum safety for both mother and baby.

The department's key clinical focuses include:

• Diagnostics and treatment of cervical cancer
  • Diagnostics
    • Laboratory tests
    • Ultrasound scanning
    • Computed tomography (CT)
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    • Biopsy
    • Positron emission tomography (PET)
    • Combined method of positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT)
  • Therapy
    • Surgical resection of tumors
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation therapy
    • Physiotherapy
    • Therapeutic exercises
    • Massage
    • Lymphatic drainage
    • Naturopathy
    • Psychological care
    • Art therapy
• Diagnostics and treatment of ovarian cancer
  • Diagnostics
    • Laboratory tests
    • Ultrasound scanning 
    • Computed tomography (CT)
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    • Biopsy
  • Therapy
    • Surgical resection of tumors
    • Chemotherapy
    • Radiation therapy
    • Antibody therapy
    • Physiotherapy
    • Therapeutic exercises
    • Massage
    • Lymphatic drainage
    • Naturopathy
    • Psychological care
    • Art therapy
• Diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer
  • Diagnostics
    • Ultrasound scanning
    • Computed tomography (CT)
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    • Biopsy
    • Mammography
    • Bone scintigraphy
  • Therapy
    • Surgical resection of tumor, total mastectomy and reconstructive plastic surgery
    • Chemotherapy
    • Antibody therapy
    • Anti-hormone therapy
    • Psychological care
• Diagnostics and treatment of benign diseases of the female genitalia
  • Removal of uterine fibroids
  • Conservative and surgical treatment of endometriosis
  • Laser removal of genital warts
  • Removal of Bartholin's cysts
  • Tubal ligation
  • Removal of benign breast tumors
  • Hysteroscopy
• Diagnostics and treatment of urogynecologic diseases
  • Urinary incontinence
    • Physiotherapy to strengthen the pelvic muscles and drug therapy
    • Botulinum toxin injection therapy
    • TVT procedures
    • Colposuspension
    • Neuromodulation
  • Pelvic organ prolapse
    • Physiotherapy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
    • Pessary treatment
    • Surgical treatment
• Obstetric services
  • Integrated management of pregnancy
  • Childbirth (natural childbirth, C-section, water childbirth)
  • Postnatal care for both mother and baby
• Other medical services