The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg brings together cancer research and patient care under one roof. As a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital, the Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University, and Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, the NCT Heidelberg pursues the goal of rapidly transferring new research findings into clinical practice – from diagnosis through innovative therapies to follow-up care.

At the heart of this work is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach: patients gain access to the latest diagnostic methods and individualized treatment strategies. Research and care are closely linked. This allows laboratory findings to be applied clinically at an early stage – and, conversely, experiences from patient care flow directly back into research.

Founded in 2004, NCT Heidelberg is part of the National Center for Tumor Diseases, a long-term cooperation between the German Cancer Research Center, outstanding partners in university medicine, and leading research institutions at several sites in Germany. Additional sites include Berlin, Dresden, SouthWest (Tübingen–Stuttgart/Ulm), WERA (Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg, Augsburg), and West (Essen/Cologne).

Breast Cancer Care at NCT Heidelberg

The Department of Gynecologic Oncology at NCT Heidelberg provides specialized care for patients with breast cancer at all stages of the disease. In addition to proven standard therapies, innovative diagnostic and treatment approaches are available through clinical studies.

A special focus of the department is individualized, risk-adapted tumor treatment, tailored to each patient’s situation. With modern diagnostic tools, physicians can better assess which patients benefit most from standard therapies and which require new therapeutic strategies.

Therapies are mostly provided on an outpatient basis at the day clinic; if inpatient admission is required, places are available at various clinics in Heidelberg and cooperating hospitals in the region.

Wherever advisable, patients are encouraged to participate in clinical studies. Study participants gain access to advanced diagnostic methods and newly developed therapies and are closely supported by an experienced team.

The broad study portfolio of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at NCT Heidelberg opens up new options for targeted breast cancer treatment:

The COGNITION and COGNITION-GUIDE studies are aimed at patients with early-stage breast cancer. Genetic analysis of tumor tissue is used to identify molecular changes that enable an additional level of personalization, allowing treatment tailored to the tumor profile – particularly in cases with an increased risk of recurrence despite standard therapy.

The CATCH study targets patients with advanced, metastatic breast cancer. Here too, analysis of individual tumor biology seeks to identify genetic changes that may serve as targets for therapy.

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg
www.nct-heidelberg.de