Breast Center in Berlin: Vivantes Hospital Am Urban
Treatment Focus
- Treatment for breast cancer for women and men
- Breast-conserving breast cancer surgery and the minimally invasive sentinel lymph node method
- Drug tumour therapy for breast cancer (chemo- or endocrine therapy)
- Oncoplastic, cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery (implants, autologous tissue)
- Psycho-oncology
- Complementary and naturopathic procedures as an adjunctive therapy
Medical Range
Range of Diagnostic Services
- High-speed biopsy to confirm findings
- Genetic counselling and testing for familial breast cancer
Range of Therapeutic Services
- Inpatient breast surgery at the highest level (over 1000 breast operations per year, of which approximately 800 breast operations annually for breast cancer)
- Chemotherapy adjuvant/neoadjuvant (day clinic)
- Use of cooling caps to preserve hair when undergoing chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy, anti-hormonal therapy, pain therapy
- The option of treatment as part of clinical trials
- Psycho-oncological care and support during therapy in the case of tumour diseases (in addition to tumour therapy, familial and social situations are considered as well as additional life circumstances)
About the Vivantes Breast Center in Berlin
The certified breast center in the Vivantes Hospital ‘Am Urban’ building, directed by Dr Claudia Gerber-Schäfer and Dr Marion Paul, provides high-quality care for breast cancer patients based on current guidelines.
The interdisciplinary team consists of exceptionally qualified specialists from a wide range of disciplines, as well as nursing staff who are specially trained in diseases of the breast. Thanks to the many years of combined experience of the various specialist departments, patients are guaranteed fast, reliable diagnosis and timely, appropriate therapy.
Certified Breast Center in Berlin with Many Years of Experience
The Vivantes Breast Center has been certified since 2008 by OnkoZert - on behalf of the German Society for Senology (DGS) and the German Cancer Society (DKG). The Breast Center Am Urban is the largest breast center in Berlin and one of the 5 largest institutions of its kind in Germany. It has been highly recommended by Focus and Tagesspiegel (renowned German publisher) magazines.
The breast cancer specialists always support their patients based on current scientific knowledge and in line with the applicable guidelines.
The team of Dr Claudia Gerber-Schäfer und Dr Marion Paul has many years of experience in the surgical treatment of breast cancer. More than 1,000 breast operations are thus performed each year at the Breast Center of the Hospital Am Urban. Around 800 of those are patients with malignant breast tumours (breast cancer). 76% of medical interventions are breast conserving. In addition, about 300 patients are treated with adjunctive drug therapy each year.
Interdisciplinary Tumour Conferences for Individual Therapy Planning
At the Breast Cancer Center Am Urban in Berlin, the experts take time for you and your relatives, even at short notice, in order to discuss existing findings and, if necessary, to timely plan therapies. Through close interdisciplinary collaboration with numerous other specialists of various disciplines, patients receive interdisciplinary and comprehensive care. This nursing style is coordinated by the Vivantes Am Urban Breast Center.
During the interdisciplinary tumor conference, an individual therapy plan is developed for each patient on basis of current guidelines. This plan is then discussed with the patient individually and, if necessary, with her or his relatives. In addition to participating breast cancer specialists, supporting experts include:
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Pathology
- Radiotherapy
- Internal Medicine/Oncology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Plastic Surgery
- Psycho-Oncology
- Human Genetics
Specialists in Breast Cancer Surgery and Reconstruction
At the Hospital Am Urban, 76% of surgical procedures for breast cancer are carried out as breast-conserving treatment (BCT). Thanks to the biopsy of the sentinel node to check the axilla for any possible tumour spread, late or long-term effects become significantly reduced for patients following tumour operations (e.g. lymphoedema of the arm).
If the entire breast needs to be removed, the Vivantes Breast Center offers various options for breast reconstruction such as simultaneous or staggered implantation of breast implants or autologous tissue (using swivel- or free-flap plastic surgery).
State-of-the-Art Diagnostics and Therapeutic Procedures for Breast Cancer in Berlin
The postoperative aftercare, plus implementation and start of any required chemo or radiation therapy before or after an operation, is all coordinated at the Breast Cancer Center as well. The center Am Urban also offers a scalp cooling procedure for hair preservation during chemotherapy. ‘Happy Med Video Glasses’ for anxiety reduction are available prior to surgery. Thanks to additional naturopathic consultation and escort, patients with breast tumours at the Vivantes Hospital Am Urban receive holistic support from a single source.
Through integration and support within the framework of current studies, latest, state-of-the-art diagnostic methods and therapeutic strategies are always available to patients.
In addition to medical care, those affected also receive comprehensive support from the psycho-oncologists at the Am Urban clinic, who accompany the entire therapy.
Further information is available on the website of the Hospital Am Urban.
Curriculum Vitae
Dr Claudia Gerber-Schäfer
since 2018 | Chief Physician, Vivantes Breast Center, Vivantes Hospital Am Urban, Berlin |
2014 | Head of the Breast Center, St Gertrauden Hospital, Berlin |
since 2012 | Investigator for clinical studies |
2012 | Senior Physician, Vivantes Breast Center, Vivantes Hospital Am Urban, Berlin |
2012 | Senior Mammary Surgeon (German Cancer Society (DKG), German Society for Senology (DGS)) |
2010 | Mammary Surgeon |
2001 | Qualification as a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics |
1996 | Full licence to practise medicine |
1989–1995 | Medical studies at the University of Freiburg |
Dr Marion Paul
since 2018 |
Chief Physician, Vivantes Breast Center, Vivantes Hospital Am Urban, Berlin |
2017 | Advanced training in nutritional medicine |
2017 | Additional qualification in naturopathic procedures at the Berlin Medical Association |
2016 | Qualification for discipline-specific genetic counselling |
2015 | Training certificate: KOKON Consultation on Complementary Medicine in Oncology |
since 2015 | Auditor at Onkozert for Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft e. V. (DKG – German Hospital Federation) |
2012–2014 | Master's programme, Healthcare Management – Hospital Management, Degree: Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Healthcare |
2012 | Additional qualification: Psycho-oncology at the Wannsee Academy Continuing and Further Education Center for Health Professionals (accredited by the DKG) |
since July 2011 | Head Senior Physician and Quality Management Officer, Vivantes Breast Center, Vivantes Hospital Am Urban, Berlin |
since 2011 | "Senior Mammary Surgeon" in accordance with the Certification Commission of the DKG and DGS |
since 2011 | Lecturer at the Wannsee Academy Continuing and Further Education Center for Health Professionals |
2011 | Medical quality management, training as an assessor based on the EFQM model at the Berlin Medical Association |
2010–2011 | Acting Director, Center for Breast Diseases, Vivantes Hospital Am Urban, Berlin |
since 2007 | Investigator for clinical studies |
2006 | Qualification as a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics |
2003–2010 | Head Senior Physician, Center for Breast Diseases, Vivantes Hospital Am Urban, Berlin |
2003 | Mammary Surgeon |
2000–2003 | Assistant Physician, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinic for Anthroposophic Medicine, Havelhöhe Community Hospital, Berlin |
2000 | Full licence to practise medicine |
1998–2000 | Junior Doctor, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Clinic for Anthroposophic Medicine, Havelhöhe Community Hospital, Berlin |
1999 | Diploma in foundational acupuncture training from the German Medical Society for Acupuncture (DÄGfA) |
1991–1998 | Research at the Department of Clinical Immunology and the Asthma Policlinic of the Free University of Berlin with dissertation and doctorate |
1987–1997 | Study of human medicine at the Free University of Berlin |
Medical Team
- Dr Claudia Gerber-Schäfer
Chief Physician - Dr Marion Paul
Chief Physician - Dr Julia Caroline de Grahl
Head Senior Physician - Sirrka Kluge
Specialist Physician - Dr Ruth von Rottkay
Senior Physician - Dr Isabel Hornsby Tourneur
Specialist Physician
Extras
- Supplementation of therapy based on naturopathic procedures
- Fasting study (offer of special diets when undergoing cancer treatment)
- Relaxation methods
- Art therapy
- Cosmetic courses for patients undergoing chemotherapy
Location
Berlin Central Railway Station | 7 km |
Berlin Airport | 22 km |
Information About Berlin

The German state capital of the federal state with the same name is located in the east of the Federal Republic of Germany. Berlin is the largest city in the country and the seat of government since 1999. The rivers Spree, Havel and smaller rivers and streams flow through the city. Furthermore, the cityscape is characterised by lakes, forests and parks, making Berlin one of the greenest capitals. The Berlin Mitte district is located in the centre of the 12 districts into which the city is divided.
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Contact
Vivantes Breast Center
Dr Claudia Gerber-Schäfer and Dr Marion Paul
Vivantes Hospital Am Urban
Breast Center
Dieffenbachstr. 1, D-10967 Berlin-Kreuzberg
Monday to Friday 8am – 3pm
By appointment

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