Department of Pulmonary Oncology - Specialized Pulmonary Clinic Asklepios Munich-Gauting

About the Department of Pulmonary Oncology at Specialized Pulmonary Clinic Asklepios Munich-Gauting

The Department of Pulmonary Oncology at the Specialized Pulmonary Clinic Asklepios Munich-Gauting is one of the leading highly specialized German medical facilities for the diagnostics and treatment of lung cancer and malignant tumors of other chest organs. Of particular interest to the department’s team of doctors is the provision of medical care to patients with non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The department also admits patients with pleural mesothelioma, pleural carcinomatosis, and neuroendocrine lung tumors. The specialists at the medical facility prefer the multimodal concept of treating patients with cancer. Each clinical case is therefore considered during an interdisciplinary tumor board, after which doctors from related specialties cooperatively develop an individual treatment regimen. Patients with advanced cancers can receive palliative care in the department, which is aimed at improving the quality of life. It is worth noting that all the department’s doctors are top-class experts in their field of competence. They do their best to provide the patient with optimal treatment and psychological support. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Niels Reinmuth.

The department's doctors are focused on patients with non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for up to 85% of all cases of malignant tumors. Should this type of cancer be suspected, X-ray and CT scans, as well as bronchoscopy (with a biopsy for a follow-up histological examination, if necessary), are mandatory. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the stage of the oncological process and the patient's general health condition. The key treatment methods for lung cancer include tumor removal surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The department's specialists also have effective methods of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in their arsenal. The first-line therapy is usually surgery. Whenever possible, the operation is performed using minimally invasive techniques. If the tumor has reached a large size at the time of diagnosis, neoadjuvant chemotherapy will be conducted. Such an approach allows doctors to shrink the size of the tumor, thereby increasing the chances of successful surgical treatment. Following surgery, the patient may be prescribed chemotherapy or radiation therapy. If lung cancer has reached an advanced stage and there is no possibility of performing an operation, radiation therapy and chemotherapy become the main treatment methods.

The department's specialists have deep knowledge and successful practical experience in the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma. This type of cancer is quite rare. If mesothelioma is suspected, the patient is prescribed a complex of diagnostic tests, including general and biochemical blood tests, a chest X-ray, a CT or MRI scan, and a biopsy with a histological examination. As for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, the most effective method is surgical resection of the neoplasm. However, surgery is only advisable for localized cancer. In addition, surgery is quite complicated and risky. If surgery is contraindicated for the patient, chemotherapy becomes the key treatment method. Irradiation is most often performed to relieve pain.

The department also specializes in the diagnostics and treatment of neuroendocrine lung tumors. Such tumors are extremely rare, so not every medical center has the necessary professional skills and resources to treat patients with this type of cancer. Each clinical case is unique, and therefore it is considered within the interdisciplinary tumor board. During the tumor board, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and other doctors cooperatively develop the optimal treatment regimen for the patient. In most cases, neuroendocrine tumors are removed surgically. Whenever required, the operation may be supplemented with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or radioisotope therapy.

The department's main clinical activities include:

• Diagnostics and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer
  • Surgical intervention
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Immunotherapy
• Diagnostics and treatment of small cell lung cancer
  • Surgical intervention (in rare cases)
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
• Diagnostics and treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma
  • Surgical intervention
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
• Diagnostics and treatment of neuroendocrine lung tumors
  • Surgical intervention
  • Chemotherapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Radioisotope treatment
• Diagnostics and treatment of pleural carcinomatosis and malignant pleurisy
  • Drug therapy
  • Minimally invasive thoracoscopy
  • Pleural X-catheter placement
• Diagnostics and treatment of lung metastases
  • Surgical intervention
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy
• Other medical services