Oncological Surgery, Stuttgart (Baden-Wuerttemberg): Prof. Dr Riediger

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Prof. Dr Carina Riediger is a specialist in oncological surgery and head physician of the Clinic for General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery at Marienhospital Stuttgart.

Combining state-of-the-art technical equipment with the latest surgical techniques, the clinic - led by Prof. Riediger and her experienced team - guarantees first-class care across a broad spectrum of oncological surgeries for tumors of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, as well as the liver, pancreas, and thyroid. As a proven and renowned specialist in complex oncological procedures, Prof. Riediger places a particular focus on the surgical treatment of primary liver carcinomas and liver metastases. In doing so, she always places special emphasis on providing personalized and compassionate care.

The Highest Level of Surgical Treatment for Gastric and Esophageal Cancer

The surgical treatment of esophageal and gastric tumors at Marienhospital Stuttgart is based on individually tailored therapy concepts that take into account the tumor stage, location, and the patient’s overall condition. The primary goal is complete tumor-free status, as achieved through R0 resection.

Esophageal cancer treatment involves highly complex resection procedures in which the diseased sections of the esophagus are removed, and the digestive tract is restored through gastric pull-up or alternative reconstructive procedures. These procedures require specialized expertise in thoracic and visceral surgery, along with a precisely coordinated surgical approach. Even in cases of functional disorders of the esophagus, such as achalasia, a careful surgical evaluation is crucial to providing long-term relief from patients’ symptoms.

In cases of gastric cancer, depending on the findings and the extent of the tumor, partial or total gastrectomies are carried out, including systematic lymph node dissection. In addition, Prof. Riediger has great experience with complex gastric surgeries, such as those involving extensive tumor involvement or challenging reconstructions of the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Prof. Dr Carina Riediger uses minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, provided they are oncological equivalent. In cases of advanced disease, open surgical procedures are used as needed. Treatment is carried out in close coordination with other medical specialties to ensure that all steps of the therapy are optimally coordinated.

Specialist in Gastroenteropancreatic Tumors (GEP-NET, MEN1)

Gastroenteropancreatic tumors are rare neoplastic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the pancreas. These include, in particular, GEP-NET tumors, and tumors associated with MEN1, a rare hereditary disorder in which multiple hormone-producing organs may be affected.

Prof. Dr Carina Riediger has extensive experience in the surgical treatment of these complex conditions. Precise diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, and a surgical approach based precisely on the tumor’s location, extent, and biological behavior are crucial. The goal is always to provide effective treatment while preserving as much of the healthy organ structure as possible.

Close coordination among various medical fields is particularly important when it comes to rare tumors such as GEP-NET and MEN1. Therefore, the treatment at Marienhospital Stuttgart is carried out as part of a carefully coordinated comprehensive approach that combines medical expertise with personalized care.

Long-Standing Experience in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer

The surgical treatment of colorectal cancer is one of the main areas of focus for Prof. Dr Carina Riediger at Marienhospital Stuttgart. The surgical strategy is determined by the exact location of the tumor in the colon or rectum, along with the individual stage of the disease.

In cases of colon cancer, the affected section of the colon is removed along with the related vascular and lymphatic structures, which is crucial for successful tumor treatment and reduces the risk of recurrence. In the rectal region, the constricted anatomical conditions in the pelvis require a particularly precise surgical approach. Specialized techniques are used here to ensure a balance between oncological safety and the preservation of continence.

In advanced cases of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, bowel surgery or a colectomy may be necessary if symptoms cannot be adequately controlled otherwise. Prof. Riediger also treats other intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis or suspicious intestinal polyps, when surgical treatment is medically indicated.

If the patient's specific condition allows it, minimally invasive surgical procedures are used, while complex open surgeries are also routinely carried out in cases of advanced disease.

State-of-the-Art Surgical Procedures for Pancreatic Cancer

Prof. Riediger has special expertise in the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer, which is particularly challenging due to its complex location and the fact that it is often diagnosed at a late stage.

Depending on the tumor’s location in the head, body, or tail of the pancreas, different resection procedures are used. For pancreatic head cancer, a partial duodenopancreatectomy is typically used, in which, in addition to parts of the pancreas, neighboring structures such as the duodenum or gallbladder are also removed. Tumors in the body or tail of the pancreas are treated with a distal pancreatectomy, during which the spleen may also be removed, depending on the individual findings.

A key component of the surgery is the systematic removal of regional lymph nodes. The procedures are based on established oncological standards and are part of a coordinated treatment plan designed to ensure optimal care. Modern, minimally invasive techniques - including the minimally invasive Whipple procedure - are used whenever medically appropriate.

The range of surgical procedures also includes treatments for pancreatic cysts, pancreatic pseudocysts, and chronic pancreatitis, if these conditions cause symptoms or the condition progresses.

Specialist in Liver Cancer and Liver Metastases in Stuttgart

A particular focus of Prof. Dr Carina Riediger’s surgical practice is the treatment of liver tumors, especially primary liver carcinomas and liver metastases. Due to the liver’s complex vascular and organ structure, surgical treatment requires particularly precise planning and performance.

The focus is on removing the tumor tissue while preserving as much functional liver tissue as possible. Depending on the tumor’s location and extent, segmental resections or more extensive liver resections are used. A precise understanding of the patient’s individual anatomy and liver function is crucial in this context. This also applies to other complex liver conditions, such as cholangiocellular carcinomas or isolated benign lesions - such as a liver hemangioma or a liver cyst - when treatment is necessary.

Even in cases of multiple liver metastases, individual surgical strategies can be implemented that are adapted to the specific situation. Depending on the findings, local ablative procedures such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or microwave ablation may also be used to provide the most personalized and effective treatment possible.

The Highest Level of Expertise in the Treatment of Thyroid Cancer

Surgical treatment of thyroid cancer requires a particularly precise approach, as the thyroid gland is located in close proximity to sensitive anatomical structures such as the vocal cord nerves and the parathyroid glands. Prof. Dr Carina Riediger has extensive experience with these challenging procedures.

Depending on the type and extent of the tumor, a partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland is necessary, with the focus always on both oncological safety and preserving thyroid function. Special attention is paid to preserving the vocal cord nerves to maintain speech function, along with preserving the parathyroid glands, which are crucial for calcium metabolism. In addition, systematic removal of the surrounding lymph nodes may be necessary.

In addition to malignant conditions, Prof Riediger also treats other conditions related to endocrine surgery, including thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, and disorders of the parathyroid glands, such as hyperparathyroidism.

Surgical procedures are consistently carried out in accordance with established medical standards. Particularly in surgeries involving the thyroid and parathyroid glands, surgical experience and meticulous technique are crucial for preserving vital functions in the long term.

Precise and Minimally Invasive Tumor Surgery for Kidney Cancer

Surgical treatment of kidney cancer is also part of the specialized services offered by Prof. Dr Carina Riediger at Marienhospital Stuttgart. The focus is on completely removing the tumor while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible in order to maintain organ function in the long term.

The choice of surgical procedure depends on the size, location, and extent of the tumor. For smaller, locally confined tumors, an organ-preserving partial nephrectomy is the preferred option. Larger tumors or those in complex locations require radical removal of the affected kidney, with particular emphasis placed on a minimally invasive surgical technique.

Minimally invasive methods, such as laparoscopic or robot-assisted procedures, are used when medically appropriate and often allow for a faster recovery with less strain on the patient.

Please visit the website of the Clinic for General, Visceral, and Thoracic Surgery at Marienhospital Stuttgart for more information.