1. History
Prior to 1999 our university did not have a separate oncology clinic, but patients with malignant tumors still received outstanding care at various departments and clinics.
New developments in the field of medicine and legal regulations required a separate clinic for the treatment of cancer (both related to the treatment of patients, as well as financing). Taking all of these factors into account led to the establishment of the Oncology Department of Debrecen Medical School in September 1999.
2. Main areas of care and medical specialties
The two departments of the Oncology Clinic, the Department of Radiotherapy and the Department of Oncology, treat a wide spectrum of malignant tumors:
- Percutaneous radiotherapy of solid tumors with three-dimensional (3D) CT, MR, and PET/CT
- Radio-chemotherapy for cancers of the bladder, rectum, esophagus, cervix, head and neck, etc.
- Radiotherapy of cavities (brachytherapy) in case of cervical, uterine, esophageal, and pulmonary cancer
- Radiotherapy in-between tissues (brachytherapy) in case of breast cancer as a complementary radiation treatment of the spot where the tumor was located
- Radiation and medicinal treatment of tumors of the central nervous system
- Chemotherapy and targeted biological therapy
- Clinical drug studies
3. Types of medical care and services
The Oncology Department is responsible for the systemic treatment of solid tumors (especially cancers of the breast, rectum, colon, other gastro-intestinal organs, head and neck, soft tissues, urinary tract, the nervous system), as well as chemotherapy, endocrinal treatments, targeted biological therapy, and immune-therapy. Mixed infusions are ordered and combined in a quality-controlled system (CATO). Our patients have abundant opportunities to participate in clinical studies, increasing options for therapy and recovery.
Onco-teams make individualized decisions on therapy, involving related fields of medicine and diagnostic departments, making the most ideal plan for treatment. A psycho-oncology outpatient unit within the Oncology Clinic offers individual and group therapy to mitigate the emotional impacts of the disease.
4. Technology and development projects
Due to significant improvements in the past few years, the Department of Radiotherapy now offers a combination of cutting-edge technologies and therapeutic modalities.
- VMAT (Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy) is by far the leading method of treatment, which is based on providing an individualized, escalated dose without damaging healthy organs.
- Stereotactic radiation – as an alternative to surgery when the patient’s condition would not allow surgery
- 4D CT scan
- CATO (Computer Aided Therapy for Oncology) – a comprehensive, systemic software and hardware solution, supporting every step from the long-term planning of therapy, through monitoring therapy, to the preparation of cytostatic drugs