Ten years National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg
High-class research and individualized cancer care under one roof
January 2014
Interdisciplinary collaboration sets standards / Nationally and internationally respected facility / Over 12,000 patients per year
On July 1, 2014, the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg celebrated its 10th anniversary. In 2004, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital, together with German Cancer Aid, founded the NCT. This facility, a completely new concept to Germany, has since then performed as a bridge between cancer research and clinical care. It is the goal of the NCT to optimize current clinical therapies, and to rapidly transfer research results to application at the bedside. Using this unifying approach, the NCT has set the first German Cancer Center standards in the model of an American Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), has distinguished itself as an Oncology Center of Excellence of German Cancer Aid, and enjoys an esteemed national and international reputation. The next goal of the NCT is to provide each patient with individually customized therapy. Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe paid tribute to the work of the NCT with a visit on July 10, 2014.
The NCT has developed remarkably in a short period of time. One milestone in its development came in 2010 with the completion of the new building, “Im Neuenheimer Feld 460.” On its move into the new building, after the groundwork and the infrastructure development of the initial years, the NCT became visible and tangible. Since that time, cancer patients have had a central facility in Heidelberg, and the number of patients continuously increases: In 2012 alone, approximately 8,200 newly-diagnosed cancer patients visited the NCT, and more than 12,200 patients were treated in the outpatient therapy sector of the facility. The catchment area extends far beyond the Rhine-Neckar region, and even internationally. Prior to the end of 2013, patients from 45 nations have visited the NCT – and demand continues to increase.
Data & Facts
Patient Care
- Central facility for all cancer patients of Heidelberg University Hospital
- More than 30 interdisciplinary tumor-boards
- More than 50,000 patient visits per year during office hours
- Over 18,000 systemic therapy courses per year
- Over 8,200 new diagnoses per year
- 60 outpatient therapy chairs/beds
- Specialized oncologic consulting and information services, and self-help
- Approximately 20% of newly-diagnosed NCT patients are included in clinical investigations
Research
- Center-wide program for precision oncology with the goal of individualized cancer treatment, including the fields of genetics, proteomics, imaging, radiotherapy, immunology, and preventive medicine.
- Clinical and translational research emphases in the areas of clinical development, molecular diagnosis, immunotherapy, integrative radiotherapy, preventive medicine, early detection, and cancer control.
- Currently more than 300 oncologic clinical studies and investigator initiated trials (IITs)
Further information:
NCT