Department of Hematology and Oncology - HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal

About the Department of Hematology and Oncology at HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal

The Department of Hematology and Oncology at the HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal offers the full range of modern services for the treatment of malignant blood diseases and solid tumors of various localization. In the field of hematology, special attention is paid to the treatment of leukemias, lymphomas and myelodysplastic syndromes. The department's oncologists specialize in the treatment of breast, colon, pancreatic, lung cancers, as well as skin cancer, oncological diseases of the female and male reproductive system. Cancer is treated in accordance with modern medical standards, which is confirmed by the quality certificates of the German Cancer Society (DKG). The department's patients receive not only highly effective personalized treatment, but also attention to their personal needs and concerns. Whenever required, psycho-oncologists work with them to help overcome stress and gather strength to fight cancer. An interdisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons, radiation therapists, chemotherapists, radiologists and other physicians takes care of the patients' health. The specialists meet on a weekly basis for a tumor board to individually consider each clinical case and plan the optimal treatment regimen. The Head Physician of the department is Dr. med. Oliver Schmalz.

Hematology is represented by a specialized team of doctors who carry out the diagnostics and treatment of various blood diseases – from anemias, thrombocytopenia, vitamin B12 deficiency to leukemias, lymphomas and myelodysplastic syndromes. To make a diagnosis, the department's doctors study the patient's medical history and listen to his complaints, since hematological diseases often cause general weakness, fever, suffocation, loss of appetite, skin pallor and other symptoms. This is followed by complete blood count, biochemical blood test and other laboratory tests. With appropriate clinical indications, the patient additionally undergoes myelography, tests for assessing blood clotting, molecular tests, immunological examination of bone marrow and peripheral blood cells, etc. After completing a comprehensive examination and making an accurate diagnosis, the department's doctors begin treatment, which is mostly based on the intake of an individually selected set of medicines. The department's specialists use effective chemotherapy regimens, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and other treatments for malignant blood diseases. After completing the course of treatment, the patient is recommended to undergo follow-up examinations in order to prevent the development of a recurrence or to detect it at the early stage.

The treatment of solid malignant tumors is carried out in highly specialized centers: Breast Cancer Center, Colon Cancer Center, Pancreatic Cancer Center, Gastric Cancer Center, Esophageal Cancer Center, Skin Cancer Center, Lung Cancer Center, Prostate Cancer Center and the Gynecologic Cancer Center. Each of the centers has a quality certificate from the German Cancer Society (DKG), which attests to adherence to current medical standards, as well as to the safety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The department's doctors have the necessary qualifications and clinical experience to provide patients with high quality cancer treatment, including at the advanced stages. Depending on the particular type of cancer, specialists develop the most effective treatment regimen for the patient, while striving to use sparing therapeutic techniques. In most cases, patients with solid malignancies require surgery. Whenever possible, minimally invasive surgical techniques are preferred, and for some cancers (such as prostate cancer) doctors carry out robot-assisted interventions using state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical System. The doctors quite often use chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibody therapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and other treatments that can ensure a complete cure for cancer or a long-term remission. The team of the department's doctors provides high-quality palliative care to patients with incurable forms of cancer. The goal of palliative care is to relieve symptoms and improve the patient's well-being.

The department enjoys a reputation as one of the best German medical facilities specializing in cancer treatment. It has accumulated vast clinical experience in the fight against cancer, and the progressive technical base allows providing effective treatment using state-of-the-art medical advances. The department's doctors understand that many patients perceive the diagnosis of cancer as a death sentence, and therefore they devote enough time to personal conversations with patients and their loved ones, in every possible way supporting them on the way to recovery.

The priority areas of the department's work include the diagnostics and treatment of the following diseases:

• Hematology
  • Benign diseases
    • Anemias
    • Thrombocytopenia
    • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Malignant diseases
    • Leukemias
    • Lymphomas
    • Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Oncology
  • Colon cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Gastric cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Skin cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Female genital cancers: cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, vulvar cancer
  • Prostate cancer
• Other pathologies

The department's therapeutic options include:

• Surgical treatment of solid malignant tumors of various localization in cooperation with other departments
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • Robot-assisted surgery (for some types of cancer)
  • Open surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Antibody therapy
• Hormone therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Palliative care for advanced cancers
• Professional psycho-oncological care
• Other treatment methods