Tumours treatable at WPE
Indications and prerequisites
Find out which tumours we treat with proton therapy at WPE
Indications for proton therapy
Proton therapy is a form of radiotherapy which, due to its extremely precise – and thus highly selective – proton beam, is used wherever such precision can be of benefit in combating tumours.
This is the case, for example, where a tumour:
- is in close proximity to sensitive tissue structures. (For example, near the spine, the brain or other important organs).
- requires a high dose of radiation.
- is difficult to access and its position means all – or part – of it cannot be operated on. (For example, tumours located close to the brain stem or the base of the skull).
Another indication favouring proton therapy is the young age of patients, such as children and adolescents. This is because the healthy tissue surrounding the tumour is still growing. In such cases it is especially important to protect healthy tissue in order to maximise the long-term quality of life.
Proton therapy: further prerequisites
In addition to the indications mentioned here, there are various prerequisites that must be met for proton therapy to be undertaken. These differ depending on the type of tumour, so we cannot provide a complete list here. Please contact us if you wish to establish whether proton therapy at WPE is an option for you or your child. You can also find out more on the individual pages detailing the respective medical conditions.
Contact us
The case management of WPE will assist you with questions you may have.
Phone: 0201 723 6600
Are you interested in proton therapy at the WPE?
Give us a call!
If you, your partner or child has a tumour that can be treated in the WPE and you are looking for the optimal therapy, we are here to support you.
Case Management: +49 (0)201 723 6600
Proton therapy: what types of cancer does WPE treat?
WPE is one of the largest proton therapy centres in Germany. Equipped with four treatment rooms and with the option of pencil beam scanning, we offer an extensive portfolio of applications allowing us to exploit the full benefits of proton therapy. This enables us to boost quality of life compared to conventional radiotherapy – for children and adolescents as well as adults.
Treatable tumours at WPE:
- Tumours of the central nervous system / Brain tumours (Ependymoma, Medulloblastoma, Meningeoma, Craniopharyngeoma, Glioma, Glioblastoma,
- Sarcoma (Rhabdomyosarcoma, Chordoma, Chondrosarcoma, Ewing Sarcoma)
- Neuroblastomas
- Head and neck tumours (Nasopharynxcarzinoma)
- Eye tumours (Retinoblastoma, Uveamalanoma)
- Lymphoma (Hodgkin Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma)
Treatment of childhood tumours at WPE
In the case of individual tumours, proton therapy can protect the immature tissue surrounding the tumour in children better than other radiotherapy methods. As a result, the use of radiotherapy on paediatric tumours is a particular centre of emphasis of our work at WPE.
In recent years, we have treated over 1,500 children at the West German Proton Therapy Centre and have entered into collaboration agreements with countries unable to offer their own proton therapy to young patients. As a result, we also treat children and adolescents from abroad.
We also offer proton-based treatment for very young children (below 5 years of age). To ensure safe and successful treatment, we have an experienced team on site consisting of experts in radiation oncology, psycho-oncology and anaesthesia. This enables us to provide your child with the best possible treatment – with as few side effects as possible and offering significantly more in quality of life.
WPE treats 2,000th child – 300 each year
Find out more about the proton treatment of childhood tumours at the WPE.
WPE and our 4,000th patient
Get an up-close insight into proton therapy at WPE from the article on our 4,000th patient.
Newly designed anesthesia rooms thanks to a donation
The colorful motifs will bring joy to the children and distract them from their fears.
Contact us
If you would like to find out more about the tumours that can be treated at WPE or have specific questions about the treatability of your tumour, please contact us. All initial contact is handled by our experienced, dedicated Case Management unit – the interface between you and our team.
If you come to us for treatment, one of our Case Management staff will also be happy to help you compile your documents, arrange cost coverage and make travel or accommodation arrangements, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Case Management can also put your previous treatment team in touch with our radiotherapists.
Case management
The case management of WPE will assist you with questions you may have
Phone: 0201 723 6600