Tumor diseases
How we diagnose and treat tumors.
Most changes are not malignant – however, some important examinations are necessary to determine whether cancer or other tumor diseases are present. Often, several different examinations must be combined to arrive at the correct diagnosis and then therapy.
From clarification and diagnosis of your tumor disease to the best possible therapy.
Read here about the process you will go through with us until we have found the best possible form of therapy
for your tumor disease.
Depending on the organ system affected, various examinations are necessary to clarify tumor diseases. For example, in the case of lung cancer, a bronchoscopy, in the case of colon cancer, a colonoscopy, and in the case of bladder cancer, a cystoscopy are performed to determine the extent of a tumor disease and to take tissue samples. These examinations are carried out by specialists with whom we work closely in our network.
The tissue samples are examined in pathology using histological and molecular methods, and if a tumor is found, it is characterized as precisely as possible. This has an increasing influence on the therapy, as targeted treatments (so-called "targeted therapy") are now available for many genetic changes in tumors. In recent years, immunotherapy with therapeutic antibodies has also gained a firm place in the treatment of many tumor diseases due to the good therapy results and generally good tolerability.
Imaging methods such as computed tomography, PET-CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging are used to precisely clarify the extent of a tumor disease.
After the exact type of tumor and its precise extent (the so-called "stage") are known, the best possible therapy is discussed, if necessary, in interdisciplinary tumor boards, in which specialists from various disciplines (oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and organ specialists) participate. In addition to the tumor characteristics, the patient's individual resources and any limitations also play a role. The resulting therapy recommendation is explained in detail in a personal consultation with the patient and family members.
The main pillars of tumor therapy, if possible and appropriate, consist of surgical removal of the tumor, as well as pre- or post-radiation of the tumor bed (by radiation oncology) and, depending on the situation, drug therapy, which reaches the tumor cells throughout the body.
The selection and sequence of the various therapy modalities is often quite complex and requires close cooperation of all specialists. In our network, there are many well-established cooperations that guarantee the best possible therapy result.
From clarification and diagnosis of your tumor disease to the best possible therapy.
Read here about the process you will go through with us until we have found the best possible form of therapy
for your tumor disease.
Depending on the organ system affected, various examinations are necessary to clarify tumor diseases. For example, in the case of lung cancer, a bronchoscopy, in the case of colon cancer, a colonoscopy, and in the case of bladder cancer, a cystoscopy are performed to determine the extent of a tumor disease and to take tissue samples. These examinations are carried out by specialists with whom we work closely in our network.
The tissue samples are examined in pathology using histological and molecular methods, and if a tumor is found, it is characterized as precisely as possible. This has an increasing influence on the therapy, as targeted treatments (so-called "targeted therapy") are now available for many genetic changes in tumors. In recent years, immunotherapy with therapeutic antibodies has also gained a firm place in the treatment of many tumor diseases due to the good therapy results and generally good tolerability.
Imaging methods such as computed tomography, PET-CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging are used to precisely clarify the extent of a tumor disease.
After the exact type of tumor and its precise extent (the so-called "stage") are known, the best possible therapy is discussed, if necessary, in interdisciplinary tumor boards, in which specialists from various disciplines (oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and organ specialists) participate. In addition to the tumor characteristics, the patient's individual resources and any limitations also play a role. The resulting therapy recommendation is explained in detail in a personal consultation with the patient and family members.
The main pillars of tumor therapy, if possible and appropriate, consist of surgical removal of the tumor, as well as pre- or post-radiation of the tumor bed (by radiation oncology) and, depending on the situation, drug therapy, which reaches the tumor cells throughout the body.
The selection and sequence of the various therapy modalities is often quite complex and requires close cooperation of all specialists. In our network, there are many well-established cooperations that guarantee the best possible therapy result.
Whether chemo-, immune-, radio- or hormone therapy –we find the best possible form of therapy for our patients with tumor diseases.
With tablets and infusions, cancer cells can be slowed down in growth and killed. The use of these drugs depends on the situation:
1. Before surgery (neoadjuvant): to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove.
2. After surgery (adjuvant): to eliminate any remaining cancer cells that may still be in the body.
3. To reduce the size of secondary tumors and control the disease when metastases have formed.
A precise histological examination of the tumor enables the therapy to be tailored to the specific tumor disease. Depending on the tumor's characteristics, one or more groups of medications (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy) can be used to achieve the best possible disease control.
Today, there are many supportive medications available that make chemotherapy well tolerated, so that everyday life is affected as little as possible. Your attending physician, together with your nursing team, will carefully plan the therapy and discuss it with you in detail. During therapy, you will receive comprehensive support so that possible side effects can be quickly identified and treated. Chemotherapy is usually administered through a vein, allowing it to reach all tumor cells in the body. Because tumor cells are more sensitive to chemotherapy than normal body cells, chemotherapy can destroy tumor cells while allowing normal cells to recover.
Chemotherapy is administered once a week to once every 3 weeks and is repeated several times.
The pathological examination determines whether a tumor has hormone receptors for female hormones (estrogen and progesterone). This is the case in the majority of breast cancer tumors. In so-called 'hormone-sensitive' tumors, anti-hormonal therapy can be extremely effective and is usually very well tolerated. Various preparations are available. Most hormone therapies are taken daily as a tablet (Letrozole, Anastrozole, Exemestane). Certain ones are injected monthly under the skin or into the gluteal muscle (Fulvestrant, Zoladex).
Immunotherapy involves antibodies that are administered intravenously. These antibodies recognize tumor cells by detecting HER2 receptor-specific sensors on their surface (so-called «HER2-positive» tumor cells) and selectively block them. These sensors are present in approximately 15% of breast cancer cases. Normal body cells are hardly affected by antibody therapy, which is why these therapies are generally well tolerated. In some cases, they can be used successfully for many years with very few side effects. Immunotherapy is administered every 3 weeks and can also be combined with chemotherapy. There are various immunotherapies that block the HER2 receptor at different points (Trastuzumab, Pertuzumab). A particularly sophisticated drug consists of an antibody to which a chemotherapy molecule is also attached (T-DM1). After docking onto the tumor cell, the chemotherapy is delivered into the tumor cell, selectively destroying only the tumor cell while sparing healthy cells.
Certain tumors evade the body's defenses by suppressing the immune system. Immune checkpoint inhibitors disrupt this suppression and "awaken" the immune system, enabling defense cells to become active against the tumor. This novel mechanism of action has been used with great success in recent years for many tumors. Frequently, an immune checkpoint inhibitor is used in combination with chemotherapy. This therapy is administered intravenously every 2-3 weeks.
Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) is frequently used as a component in the treatment of cancer. High-energy X-rays are used to prevent tumor cells from growing. The duration and extent (volume/dose) of the treatment are individually tailored to the tumor situation. Radiation therapy can last from a few days (palliative situation) to several weeks (adjuvant situation). The outpatient therapy sessions take place daily (Mon-Fri). The personal consultation, planning, and radiation take place in the same building, in the radiotherapy department of the Klinik Stephanshorn.
The process with us at the Tumor and Breast Center
Registration at the TBZ is usually done by your family doctor or gynecologist. If you have any complaints or questions, you can also make an appointment with us directly. We treat patients of all insurance classes.
We assign appointments according to urgency. If there are suspicious changes, you will be offered an appointment for clarification within a maximum of 2 (working) days.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please inform us as soon as possible.
We can quickly clarify changes or conspicuous findings. As part of the initial consultation, in addition to a detailed discussion, we perform a palpation and ultrasound examination, for example. In the case of conspicuous findings, an immediate tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken with a thin needle. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts around 15 minutes.
In most cases, various examinations are necessary for a comprehensive assessment. These are carried out, among other places, at the Klinik Stephanshorn. We plan these on the same day directly before or after your appointment in our consultation. A shuttle service is organized by us and ensures a quick way to the clinic and back to us.
We can organize additional examinations (e.g. MRI) for you if required through our colleagues in radiology.
We will inform you of the results of the examinations as soon as possible and discuss with you the further procedure in your individual situation. Very often it concerns harmless changes that do not require further therapy.
However, if you are diagnosed with cancer, your findings will be discussed in our team and at our interdisciplinary tumor conference. At the TBZ, we will then explain the therapy recommendation to you and advise you on this in detail. We then plan the further steps together with you.
If an operation is planned, we will discuss the procedure with you in detail. We attach great importance to the fact that, whenever possible, you are operated on by the same doctor who carried out the examinations and therefore knows you and all the necessary findings best.
We perform your surgery at the Klinik Stephanshorn.
You will receive all the necessary documents from the Klinik Stephanshorn. If you have any relevant pre-existing conditions, you may be invited separately for an anesthesia consultation. However, you will usually be admitted to the clinic directly on the day of surgery.
You will be operated on by your attending physician from the Tumor- und BrustZentrum Ostschweiz and subsequently cared for during your hospital stay.
You can also find detailed information about your hospital stay directly via the Klinik Stephanshorn link:
www.hirslanden.ch/de/klinik-stephanshorn/ihr-aufenthalt/ablauf-ihres-aufenthalts.html
In the week after the operation, or at any time if needed, we carry out a wound check at the TBZ.
In the case of cancer, a second discussion takes place at the tumor conference after the operation. As part of the wound check, we will explain the findings of the tumor operation and their significance for the further course of treatment in a personal consultation. Additional treatments are often recommended to prevent a recurrence, such as radiation or drug therapies.
At the TBZ, surgeons and oncologists work closely together and discuss all cases in an interdisciplinary manner. This means that a seamless transition to the oncology consultation is possible. Your oncologist will discuss in detail the treatment options and their benefits, procedure, and expected side effects with you. All therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy, take place on an outpatient basis at one of our locations. You will always be accompanied by your oncologist and the team of specially trained nurses.
The process with us at the Tumor and Breast Center
Registration at the TBZ is usually done by your family doctor or gynecologist. If you have any complaints or questions, you can also make an appointment with us directly. We treat patients of all insurance classes.
We assign appointments according to urgency. If there are suspicious changes, you will be offered an appointment for clarification within a maximum of 2 (working) days.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please inform us as soon as possible.
We can quickly clarify changes or conspicuous findings. As part of the initial consultation, in addition to a detailed discussion, we perform a palpation and ultrasound examination, for example. In the case of conspicuous findings, an immediate tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken with a thin needle. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and lasts around 15 minutes.
In most cases, various examinations are necessary for a comprehensive assessment. These are carried out, among other places, at the Klinik Stephanshorn. We plan these on the same day directly before or after your appointment in our consultation. A shuttle service is organized by us and ensures a quick way to the clinic and back to us.
We can organize additional examinations (e.g. MRI) for you if required through our colleagues in radiology.
We will inform you of the results of the examinations as soon as possible and discuss with you the further procedure in your individual situation. Very often it concerns harmless changes that do not require further therapy.
However, if you are diagnosed with cancer, your findings will be discussed in our team and at our interdisciplinary tumor conference. At the TBZ, we will then explain the therapy recommendation to you and advise you on this in detail. We then plan the further steps together with you.
If an operation is planned, we will discuss the procedure with you in detail. We attach great importance to the fact that, whenever possible, you are operated on by the same doctor who carried out the examinations and therefore knows you and all the necessary findings best.
We perform your surgery at the Klinik Stephanshorn.
You will receive all the necessary documents from the Klinik Stephanshorn. If you have any relevant pre-existing conditions, you may be invited separately for an anesthesia consultation. However, you will usually be admitted to the clinic directly on the day of surgery.
You will be operated on by your attending physician from the Tumor- und BrustZentrum Ostschweiz and subsequently cared for during your hospital stay.
You can also find detailed information about your hospital stay directly via the Klinik Stephanshorn link:
www.hirslanden.ch/de/klinik-stephanshorn/ihr-aufenthalt/ablauf-ihres-aufenthalts.html
In the week after the operation, or at any time if needed, we carry out a wound check at the TBZ.
In the case of cancer, a second discussion takes place at the tumor conference after the operation. As part of the wound check, we will explain the findings of the tumor operation and their significance for the further course of treatment in a personal consultation. Additional treatments are often recommended to prevent a recurrence, such as radiation or drug therapies.
At the TBZ, surgeons and oncologists work closely together and discuss all cases in an interdisciplinary manner. This means that a seamless transition to the oncology consultation is possible. Your oncologist will discuss in detail the treatment options and their benefits, procedure, and expected side effects with you. All therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and anti-hormone therapy, take place on an outpatient basis at one of our locations. You will always be accompanied by your oncologist and the team of specially trained nurses.
Our locations
We are there where you need us! We offer highly competent oncological and senological consultation and treatment close to your home at our easily accessible locations. Individual care in a familiar atmosphere by our experienced and well-coordinated practice teams is very important to us. This gives patients and their families the certainty of receiving empathetic and consistent support, even in difficult life situations.