PD Dr. med. Peter Reichardt

A cancer diagnosis often comes as a shock to patients and their families. Tumours frequently develop slowly and go unnoticed without showing any symptoms, and in many cases are detected by chance. Because cancer can often be treated well in its early stages, regular check-ups are particularly important.

According to the WHO, lung, breast and bowel cancer are the most common types of cancer worldwide. Treatment methods depend on the type and stage of the cancer. Every kind of tumour is different, and the course it takes can differ from person to person, meaning that each patient requires individualized treatment.

Cancer is treated by surgically removing cancerous tissue and/or with radiation and chemotherapy. Hormone therapy is used to block the body’s own hormones and thereby prevent a tumour from spreading. Blood stem cell transplants may also be necessary, for example for leukaemia patients who need healthy bone marrow following chemotherapy or radiation.