German knowledge for Ukrainian colleagues

A group of doctors from the Lviv oblast have completed their weekly internship at the University Hospital in Heidelberg (Germany). As part of the training component of the "Preventive oncology and the implementation of effective anti-tumor technologies in Lviv oblast" Subproject, 11 medical experts from Lviv, Drohobych, Sambir, Stryi, and Chervonohrad took part in the study visit, specifically surgical oncologists, radiologists, and radiation therapists.

 

The hospital under the Heidelberg university is one of the largest and most renowned medical centers in Germany and Europe.

 

The centre for diagnostics and treatment of tumors on the breast at the Gynecological clinic under the Heidelberg university is one of the largest centers in this area in Germany. 600 women undergo breast cancer treatment there per year, with an average treatment duration of 4-5 days.

 

Despite the well-known concepts of treatment (surgical intervention followed by radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine, and anti-hormonal therapy, as well as antibody therapy), patients may participate in clinical trials at the clinic.

    

 

The participants attanded a range of lectures associated with the "International short course on the breast" training program, specifically on basic anatomy, pathology, and biologic oncology; mammographic screening and the methods of examination associated with the use of ultrasound and MRI; the strategy of medical aid during hereditary breast cancer and systemic therapy for primary and metastatic cancers.

 

During the internship, the doctors attended the presurgical and postoperative consultations, as well the surgical intervention procedures: radical mastectomy, lumpectomy, and reconstructive surgery for removal of an implant and reconstruction of the breast skin using skin and muscle flap with microvascular anastomosis.

 

A special delight was caused by attendance of the Diagnostic imaging department, where a multi-modal breast examination takes place, specifically using ultrasound, elastography, mammography, tomosynthesis, and MRI.

 

In the diagnostic imaging department, the participants attended the treatment procedure with the use of the sophisticated linear proton accelerator with carbon (the only prototype available in the world).

 

The Heidelberg university hospital is the newest progressive research center where sophisticated devices and technologies undergo trials, and to which the doctors from the Lviv oblast were introduced.