Department of Gynecology and Mammology - University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf

About the Department of Gynecology and Mammology at University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf

According to the reputable Focus magazine, the Department of Gynecology and Mammology at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf is one of the best medical facilities in Germany for breast cancer treatment! 

The department offers a full range of medical services for diseases of the reproductive system and breast pathologies, with a special emphasis on breast cancer. Of particular interest to the department's team is the treatment of uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancers, breast cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. The department enjoys the status of one of the largest and most advanced gynecological centers in Germany with excellent experience in gynecologic oncology. All diagnostic and therapeutic measures comply with modern international standards. The department offers excellent services in gynecologic surgery: almost all procedures are performed using minimally traumatic endoscopic, laparoscopic, and robotic (da Vinci) techniques. The department performs about 1,300 inpatient operations and over 600 outpatient surgical procedures annually. Strict hygiene and safety standards are observed in the operating rooms. Patients of the department are guaranteed personalized medical care using modern methods with proven effectiveness. The Head Physician of the department is Prof. Dr. med. Barbara Schmalfeldt.

The main focus of the daily work of the department's team of gynecologists is the treatment of malignant diseases of the female reproductive system: uterine, cervical, ovarian, and vulvar cancers. Patients with the above-mentioned oncological diseases are admitted to a specialized center certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG). The therapeutic process begins with a personal consultation, followed by a gynecological examination, ultrasound, and colposcopy. If clinically indicated, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) may be required. The obtained data are reviewed by an interdisciplinary tumor board that includes gynecologists, oncologists, radiation therapists, radiologists, and other specialists. An individual treatment plan is developed for each patient, taking into account the specifics of her clinical case. In most cases, the first-line treatment is a surgical procedure to resect the malignancy. It is important to the department's surgeons to provide treatment that is not only effective but also as sparing as possible, so minimally invasive and robotic techniques are used whenever possible. Chemotherapy is often given after surgery; in some cases, chemotherapy may be administered before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Patients with gynecological cancers are also offered treatment with targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

The department's gynecologists are deservedly proud of their extensive experience in the treatment of benign gynecological diseases. The most common patients in the medical facility are those with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and uterine fibroids. Endometriosis is a pathological proliferation of endometrial cells outside the uterus. The pathology is benign, but without timely treatment, it may potentially lead to the development of cancer. Women with early stages of endometriosis are prescribed drug treatment with hormonal drugs, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. If the gynecologists of the department detect multiple deep foci of endometriosis, surgical treatment is required. The department's specialists perform minimally invasive surgery for endometriosis. Ovarian cysts are benign neoplasms located inside or on the surface of the ovary. Both conservative and surgical methods can be used in the treatment of ovarian cysts, and the choice of treatment tactics depends on the type of cyst, its size, duration of the disease, clinical manifestations, age, and general health of the patient. Conservative treatment is based on the use of hormonal drugs. If surgery is indicated, ovarian cystectomy, the surgical removal of the cystic neoplasm while preserving healthy ovarian tissue, is preferred whenever possible. In complex clinical situations, the department's doctors perform ovarian wedge resection. For the treatment of uterine fibroids (benign tumors that occur in the muscle layer), specialists offer drug therapy and all available surgical procedures in this area such as laparoscopic myomectomy, hysteroscopic myomectomy, hysterectomy, or uterine artery embolization.

An integral part of the clinical practice of the department's doctors is the diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases. In this context, the treatment of breast cancer is of particular interest. Patients with benign and malignant pathologies of the mammary gland receive medical care in a specialized Breast Center, which is certified by ISO 9001:2000, the German Cancer Society (DKG), and the German Society for Senology (DGS). More than 500 women with breast cancer are treated at the center each year. Specialists offer all the possibilities of modern surgical treatment for breast cancer, ranging from organ preservation breast surgery to reconstructive plastic surgery with silicone implants and lipofilling techniques. Surgery is complemented by effective conservative therapies, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, antibody therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.

The main areas of clinical activity of the department are as follows:

• Gynecology
  • Diagnostics and treatment of malignant diseases of the female reproductive system
    • Diagnostics and treatment of uterine cancer
    • Diagnostics and treatment of cervical cancer
    • Diagnostics and treatment of ovarian cancer
    • Diagnostics and treatment of vulvar cancer
  • Diagnostics and treatment of benign diseases of the female reproductive system
    • Diagnostics and treatment of endometriosis
    • Diagnostics and treatment of ovarian cysts
    • Diagnostics and treatment of uterine fibroids
    • Diagnostics and treatment of pelvic organ prolapse
    • Diagnostics and treatment of urinary incontinence
    • Diagnostics and treatment of functional disorders of the pelvic organs
  • Diagnostics and treatment of hormone imbalances caused by gynecological diseases
    • Diagnostics and treatment of irregular periods
    • Diagnostics and treatment of menopause
    • Diagnostics and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome
    • Diagnostics and treatment of infertility caused by gynecological problems
• Mammology
  • Diagnostics and treatment of breast cancer
  • Diagnostics and treatment of benign breast diseases
• Diagnostics and treatment of other diseases

The range of therapeutic services provided by the department includes the following:

• Conservative treatment
  • Drug therapy for benign gynecological diseases
    • Hormone therapy
    • Symptomatic therapy
  • Drug therapy for malignant gynecological diseases
    • Chemotherapy
    • Targeted therapy
    • Antibody therapy
    • Hormone therapy
• Surgical treatment
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Minimally invasive surgery
  • da Vinci robotic surgery for cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis
• Other medical services