Radiotherapy Homburg (Saarland): Univ Prof. Dr Markus Hecht

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Univ Prof Dr Markus Hecht is a specialist in radiation therapy and director of the Clinic for Radiation Therapy and Radio-Oncology at Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (UKS) in Homburg.

Prof Hecht's experienced team treats tumors and metastases in almost all areas of the body using special innovative technologies and state-of-the-art radiation therapy equipment, which are used individually to ensure optimal care depending on the disease. The Clinic for Radiation Therapy and Radio-Oncology works closely with the surgical departments and internal medicine within the University Medical Center for Tumor Diseases (UTS). In addition, benign diseases of inflammatory origin can also be treated with radiation therapy.

Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Precision Through State-of-the-Art Radiation Technology

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Thanks to medical and technological advances, men with locally isolated or locally advanced tumor stages can now be treated in a highly targeted and tissue-sparing manner. Compared to surgical procedures in particular, radiation therapy carries a significantly lower risk of incontinence while providing equivalent tumor control. Prof Dr Markus Hecht offers his patients this pioneering treatment option using the Varian Ethos system.

The state-of-the-art system enables adaptive radiation therapy, in which artificial intelligence is used to create a current radiation plan before each session. This form of prostate cancer treatment with adaptive radiation considers daily changes in the position and shape of the prostate and surrounding organs, such as the bladder and intestines.

This enables specialists to provide millimeter-precise and individualized therapy that preserves healthy tissue as much as possible.

Combined Radiation and Immunotherapy for Recurrent Head and Neck Tumors

Recurrent tumors in the head and neck region are considered particularly challenging because they have often already been treated multiple times, and surrounding structures are sensitive to further interventions. The Clinic for Radiation Therapy and Radio-Oncology, headed by Univ Prof Dr Markus Hecht, is one of the institutions in Germany that offers a specialized treatment concept for these complex cases.

The targeted combination of precise radiation therapy and so-called immunomodulatory drugs is an innovative approach. Prof Hecht's team not only uses the effect of radiation on the tumor itself, but also immunological effects to combat remaining tumor cells. This form of combined therapy opens up new prospects for patients whose tumors have been difficult to treat until now.

This means a noticeable improvement in the quality of life for many patients. While tumor burden and symptoms can be effectively reduced, the function of vital structures such as the larynx, swallowing muscles, and facial nerves is preserved as much as possible. Combined radioimmunotherapy is therefore a personalized, gentle, and effective treatment for a sensitive area of the body.

In this connection, participation in the Phase III REPAIR-HN study funded by German Cancer Aid is also being offered. In this project, the Uniklinik in Homburg is coordinating the treatment of patients with recurrent head and neck tumors in German-speaking countries.

High-Precision Radiation Therapy: State-of-the-Art Radiosurgery at Uniklinik Homburg

Small tumors and metastases in the brain, lungs, or spine can now be treated effectively and with minimal damage to surrounding tissue using high-precision radiosurgery. At the Clinic for Radiation Therapy and Radio-Oncology at UKS Homburg, Prof Dr Markus Hecht uses stereotactic procedures that allow precise irradiation of the diseased tissue without unnecessarily affecting surrounding healthy tissue.

Thanks to this precise radiation exposure, relatively high doses of radiation can be administered without serious side effects. In many cases, this enables effective treatment of tumors in just one or a few sessions. The necessary precision is achieved through exact image control, three-dimensional planning, and close cooperation with the radiology and medical physics departments. Unlike other clinics, the UKS offers high-precision radiation therapy not only for single brain metastases, but also for multiple brain metastases (Brainlab Elements Multiple Brain Mets SRS). This allows these patients to also benefit from the advantages of high-precision radiation therapy.

Advanced Radiation Therapy with SGRT and 3D Patient Surface Tracking

A key technological advance in modern radiation medicine is the use of surface-guided radiation therapy, also known as SGRT. This innovative procedure monitors the patient's body movements in real time – without contact and with maximum precision. High-resolution 3D camera systems continuously record thermal radiation and surface signals to determine the exact position of the body.

This technology enables millimeter-precise monitoring throughout the entire radiation treatment. Even the most minor positional changes caused by breathing, muscle tension, or involuntary movements are automatically detected and compensated for. This allows the radiation dose to be precisely focused on the target area while sparing healthy tissue. In breast cancer or lung tumors, the method ensures consistently high precision throughout the entire treatment period and reduces the radiation dose to organs at risk, such as the heart.

Years of Experience in Brachytherapy

Brachytherapy is an exact procedure in which radioactive sources are placed directly into the tumor tissue or in its immediate surroundings under imaging monitoring.

The clinic uses temporary brachytherapy, which means that no radioactive source remains in the body after treatment. Natural body cavities are used, or minimally invasive accesses are created. The direct placement allows intensive, targeted radiation dose with minimal impact on the surrounding tissue.

This procedure is primarily used for gynecological tumors, skin tumors, tumors in the head and neck area, and occasionally for gastrointestinal cancers. The experienced team led by Prof Dr Markus Hecht works with modern 3D planning systems and precise application techniques to ensure the optimal course of treatment for each patient.

Please visit the website of the Clinic for Radiation Therapy and Radio-Oncology at the UKS.