Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Allergology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Treatment of Coagulation Disorders and Immunodeficiency Disorders - Hospital Kassel

About the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Allergology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Treatment of Coagulation Disorders and Immunodeficiency Disorders at Hospital Kassel

The Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Allergology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Treatment of Coagulation Disorders and Immunodeficiency Disorders at the Hospital Kassel offers the full range of high-precision diagnostics and effective treatment of diseases in these medical fields. The focus of doctors is on young patients with benign and malignant diseases of the hematopoietic system, malignant solid tumors of various localizations, immunodeficiency disorders and diabetes mellitus. The department is certified by the German Cancer Society as the Pediatric Cancer Center and is also recognized as the Training Center by the German Diabetes Society. The high treatment success rates in children with life-threatening pathologies are awarded by the most prestigious certificate for children's hospitals in Germany – "Ausgezeichnet. Für Kinder!" The best doctors in Germany take care of the health of young patients. They have at their disposal the most advanced medical technologies and treatment methods. The department also employs highly qualified psychologists who support both children, their parents and relatives, since, in some cases, a detected diagnosis can cause a severe emotional shock. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Michaela Nathrath.

The main task of the department's specialists is the accurate and timely diagnostics of diseases, the elaboration of an individual treatment regimen using the most modern treatment methods for severe, and sometimes even life-threatening diseases. At the diagnostic stage, the department's specialists carry out various imaging and laboratory tests, which allow them to determine an accurate diagnosis, obtain comprehensive information about the stage of the disease and the causes of its development, which in turn makes it possible to optimally combine various therapeutic techniques for the achievement of a complete cure of the patient or long-term remission of the pathology. In the case of oncological diseases, the treatment tactics are developed during the interdisciplinary tumor boards with the participation of doctors from all the necessary medical fields. The specialists always take into account the peculiarities of the growing child's body, as well as the general state of health of the young patient, in order not only to cure the disease, but also to guarantee him the absence of developmental disorders in the future.

The department's medical team most often admits young patients with benign and malignant blood diseases, as well as with solid tumors. The main treatment method for blood malignancies in the department is chemotherapy, which in most cases is carried out on an inpatient basis. Such an approach allows the doctors to monitor the child's state. Chemotherapy drugs are most often administered as infusions, but pills are also possible. In addition to chemotherapy, the patients with solid malignant tumors require a surgical resection of the tumor, which is performed in the Department of Pediatric Surgery. The most common solid tumors in children are brain neoplasms, so pediatric neurologists are also involved in the therapeutic process. An integral part of the therapeutic process is the professional care of psychologists for both children and their parents, since oncological diseases are among the most complex pathologies and when parents hear the diagnosis, they mostly experience a huge emotional shock, while the child will have to undergo a long and complex treatment. In addition, art therapists and music therapists work with children. The department regularly hosts regular entertainment performances with clowns.

An important focus of the department's clinical practice is the provision of medical care to children with circulatory disorders and immunodeficiency disorders. The department is a certified Center for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. To detect this pathology, the doctors carry out special screenings, including in newborns. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the specialists provide maintenance treatment with immunoglobulins, antibiotics and antifungal drugs. The last line treatment is stem cell transplantation.

The patients are offered medical care from a competent team of pediatric endocrinologists who specialize in the diagnostics and treatment of diabetes mellitus in young patients. The department treats more than 300 children with this diagnosis every year. The department has the status of a certified Training Center of the German Diabetes Association (DDG). As of today, diabetes mellitus is an incurable chronic disease, so the therapy consists in controlling blood sugar levels and following a proper diet, which will prevent the progression of the disease. The department's specialists individually develop the proper diet for the child, and also teach the patient and his parents a new way of life with this pathology. In addition to diet therapy, the most important component of treatment is insulin therapy using a special pump.

The department's team of pediatric pulmonologists provides both diagnostics and treatment for children with lund and respiratory diseases. Of particular interest to the department's medical team is the treatment of cystic fibrosis, which affects not only lungs, but also the intestine, liver and other vital organs. The diagnostic examination involves various imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI scans), as well as pulmonary function testing. Depending on the severity of the pathology, the treatment can be either inpatient or outpatient. The treatment is based on drug therapy, inhalation and breathing exercises. Whenever required, pediatric gastroenterologists, diabetologists, radiologists and surgeons are involved in the therapeutic process.

The department's service range is complemented by the treatment of allergic reactions in children. The most common allergic diseases in the department's clinical practice are bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinitis, as well as drug allergies, insect venom allergies and food intolerance. It is very important to find the cause of the allergy in time and eliminate all the possible factors, which can affect the exacerbation of symptoms. For this purpose,the doctors use the individually adapted differentiated diagnostics, with the help of which they can accurately determine the type of allergic reaction and initiate timely treatment. In the case of food allergies, which are considered life-threatening, diet therapy is prescribed and an individual menu is developed. With appropriate clinical indications, the doctors can use allergen immunotherapy to suppress symptoms as quickly as possible.

The department's key clinical focuses include:

• Diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the hematopoietic system in children
  • Benign blood diseases
    • Anemia
    • Congenital and acquired diseases of platelets and leukocytes
    • Impaired haemopoiesis (for example, thalassemia, sickle cell disease)
  • Malignant blood diseases
    • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
    • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
    • Acute myeloid leukemia
    • Hodgkin's lymphoma
    • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Diagnostics and treatment of solid tumors of various localization in cooperation with specialists from the Departments of Pediatric Neurology and Pediatric Surgery
  • Brain tumors
  • Wilms' tumor
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Teratoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Lung tumors
  • Testicular tumors
• Diagnostics and treatment of circulatory disorders and immunodeficiency disorders, including severe combined immunodeficiency
• Diagnostics and treatment of diabetes mellitus in children
  • Insulin therapy
  • Diet therapy
  • Practical training on self-monitoring of blood glucose levels
• Diagnostics and treatment of lung and respiratory diseases (special focus on cystic fibrosis treatment)
• Diagnostics and treatment of allergic diseases in children
  • Bronchial asthma
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Drug allergy
  • Insect venom allergy
  • Food intolerance
• Other medical services