Lung Cancer Centre

The suspicion of lung cancer is a shock for everyone and is associated with fears and uncertainty around survival. In this exceptional situation, we strive to offer you comprehensive support with expert information, treatment at the highest medical level as well as time and space to find your own way through the crisis. Through the combination of conventional medicine and integrative approaches, we give you additional ways to activate your self-healing powers and to strengthen your trust in your body and in yourself. You can play an active role in managing your illness - even beyond your inpatient stay.

Core area of expertise: integrative lung cancer therapy

The Havelhöhe Lung Cancer Centre is part of the Oncology Centre, where we offer our patients comprehensive care from a single source - from initial diagnosis to therapy and aftercare.

In recent years, there have been enormous advances in the diagnosis of lung cancer and new therapeutic approaches. Our experienced and committed doctors combine these latest medical-scientific and technical standards with naturopathic-anthroposophic therapeutic approaches, working together with therapists and nurses in an interdisciplinary way.

It is equally important for us to talk to our patients in detail, to provide them with accurate information and to build a trusting relationship.

Together we would like to explore how we can best support you in your individual life situation and find a solution that suits you. We see ourselves as your partner and advisor and involve you in all decisions.

Accurate diagnostics with gentle procedures

The uncertainty and waiting for findings is particularly stressful for many people affected. If you are suspected of having lung cancer, you will receive an appointment within 24 hours to our clinic, an opportunity which you can also use as a second opinion consultation. To differentiate the suspected diagnosis, we work with state-of-the-art procedures such as CT/MRI and endoscopy examinations, if necessary together with our colleagues from thoracic surgery. We are particularly specialised in fine needle aspiration procedures, with which we can check suspicious-looking tissue regions.

Interdisciplinary therapy planning

After the diagnosis is confirmed, we plan the treatment concept together with you. We follow the guidelines of the German and international professional societies as well as the individual needs of each patient. All the doctors involved - lung specialists, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists and pathologists - discuss the possible treatment approaches in the tumour meeting. If possible, the cancer is completely removed by surgery. Other important therapies include individually tailored radiotherapy and chemotherapy. We also use innovative antibody or immune preparations when indicated. Mistletoe extract treatments and, if necessary, overheating therapy (hyperthermia) can support these measures and improve their effect.

Actively involving patients in treatment

Very important goals of our integrative therapy offers are the strengthening of the immune system and the activation of patients' self-healing powers. That is why anthroposophic treatments are part of our therapy planning right from the very beginning. In addition to naturopathic medicines such as mistletoe, respiratory therapy stabilises the lungs and bronchial tubes and strengthens patients overall. Body and movement therapies support regeneration and mobilise strength, as do anthroposophic care applications, for example oil rubs and wraps. Art and music therapies promote mindfulness, open up new perceptions and can awaken hidden powers. In addition, psycho-oncological counselling offers the opportunity to develop new perspectives.

Our Havelhöhe lung cancer support service provides you with support to strengthen your health in weekly courses. This support ranges from dietary changes to relaxation programmes and lung sports to tobacco cessation and can also be continued on an outpatient basis.

Alleviating symptoms – improving quality of life

Some patients develop symptoms during the course of the disease that severely restrict their quality of life. In addition to modern diagnostics and acute therapy, we place special emphasis on the supportive treatment of these symptoms. Together with our colleagues from the supportive cancer and palliative care unit, we try to alleviate pain, shortness of breath, exhaustion or nausea as well as possible anxiety, depression or difficulties in the social environment.

What happens after the hospital inpatient stay?

Even during your stay, we closely involve our colleagues in private practice in the therapy so that you can continue to be treated smoothly afterwards. If necessary, we organise follow-up treatment or care at home and support you and your relatives in case of problems.

Our cooperation partners

• Thoracic Surgery at the Emil von Behring Hospital
• Radiotherapy Department at the DRK Westend Hospital

Systemic oncological therapy (e.g. chemotherapy) can be carried out on an inpatient or outpatient basis in our Centre for Outpatient Tumour Therapy. We also work closely with many specialists close to your home.