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Heidelberg University Hospital

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Heidelberg University Hospital

Medical International Office Heidelberg University Hospital is a leading medical center offering world-class care for patients from around the globe.

Specializing in oncology, cardiology, transplantation, neurology, and rare diseases, the hospital provides cutting-edge treatments and innovative research. With a dedicated team of experts, Heidelberg ensures the highest standards of care and patient support. Discover the latest in medical advancements and experience exceptional care in one of Europe's top healthcare institutions.

14/08/2026

What happens after you submit a treatment inquiry to Heidelberg University Hospital?

First, a case manager checks whether all the necessary information has been received. The medical documents are then forwarded to the relevant department, where specialists review the patient’s medical history, previous treatment and current examination results.

If treatment in Heidelberg can be offered, the patient receives a treatment proposal and a preliminary cost estimate.

The slides explain each stage of the process — from submitting the inquiry to receiving the hospital’s response.

The review takes usually 10 working days after all required documents have been received.

12/08/2026

When imaging reveals a suspicious change in the lung, a tissue sample is often needed to establish a diagnosis. However, very small lesions located far from the larger airways can be difficult to reach using conventional bronchoscopy.

For such cases, the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg now uses robot-assisted bronchoscopy. The system analyzes computed tomography images and uses artificial intelligence to calculate an individualized route through the lung’s complex network of airways.

The physician controls an ultra-thin catheter while the robotic system supports precise navigation to the target. The catheter’s position is then confirmed with CT imaging before a tissue sample is collected.

This method makes it possible to biopsy small and difficult-to-reach lung nodules through the airways. In selected cases, it may help patients avoid a more invasive needle biopsy through the chest wall, which carries a higher risk of complications.

Robot-assisted bronchoscopy is particularly relevant for the early diagnosis of lung cancer: the sooner a suspicious lesion can be assessed, the sooner the appropriate treatment strategy can be determined.

Technologies like this expand the possibilities of minimally invasive diagnostics and help physicians obtain reliable answers even when a suspicious lesion is located deep in a difficult-to-access area of the lung.

11/08/2026

Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease of the bone marrow. Although treatment outcomes have improved significantly, many patients still experience a relapse over time.

Researchers from Heidelberg and Würzburg University Hospitals investigated a new approach by adding the bispecific antibody teclistamab to standard first-line therapy. Teclistamab binds simultaneously to myeloma cells and immune T cells, bringing them into close contact and enabling the immune system to attack the tumor more precisely.

The Phase II trial included 49 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were eligible for stem cell transplantation. All participants responded to treatment. After six months, no tumor cells could be detected in any of the analyzed bone marrow samples, even using methods capable of identifying one myeloma cell among one million bone marrow cells.

This result is known as minimal residual disease negativity. It is considered an important indicator of a deep remission and is generally associated with longer periods without disease progression. More than 90% of the study participants achieved this response within the first months of treatment.

The findings raise the possibility that modern immunotherapy could not only reduce the tumor burden quickly, but also provide longer-term control of the disease.

The results must now be confirmed in a randomized Phase III trial planned at 60 centers across Germany. Researchers will also investigate whether treatment could be shortened or simplified for patients who achieve such a rapid and deep response.

10/08/2026

When facing a complex diagnosis, having access to the right medical expertise can make the next steps clearer.

Through an online medical consultation, specialists at Heidelberg University Hospital can review a patient’s medical records, assess the current diagnosis and discuss possible treatment options based on current medical knowledge and extensive clinical experience.

This service gives international patients the opportunity to receive a specialist assessment before arranging a trip to Germany. It may help patients better understand their diagnosis, explore available treatment approaches and determine whether treatment in Heidelberg could be appropriate for their individual case.

An online medical consultation may include:
– review of medical records by experienced specialists
– assessment of complex or rare conditions
– evaluation of current diagnostic and treatment options
– individual recommendations based on the submitted documentation
– guidance on possible next steps

Up-to-date medical records must be submitted in advance. After reviewing the documentation, the specialists will determine whether the case is suitable for an online consultation and whether any additional information or examinations are required.

Contact us to learn more about online medical consultations: https://www.heidelberg-university-hospital.com/treatment-inquiry-appointment/.

07/08/2026

Immune checkpoint inhibitors help the immune system attack cancer cells more effectively and are used to treat several types of cancer. However, this activation of the immune response may also affect the cardiovascular system.

According to researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital, patients receiving this form of immunotherapy may have an approximately threefold higher risk of heart disease, including coronary artery disease. One possible explanation is the acceleration of inflammatory processes in the coronary arteries.

To investigate these mechanisms, a team led by Professor Lorenz Lehmann has launched the interdisciplinary ATHERIC-CARE project. Researchers will analyze immune cells and genetic data, study inflammatory pathways and use machine learning to evaluate patients’ CT scans. The three-year project is supported with €1.3 million in funding.

The aim is to identify patients at increased risk earlier and develop strategies that preserve the effectiveness of immunotherapy while reducing its impact on the heart.

Cardio-oncology brings oncologists and cardiologists together to monitor and protect cardiovascular health before, during and after cancer treatment.

06/08/2026

Receiving a diagnosis can leave patients with many questions. A second opinion may provide greater clarity, help them understand the available options and make the next medical decision with more confidence.

Swipe through the carousel to see when an additional specialist assessment may be helpful.

Through an online medical consultation, specialists at Heidelberg University Hospital can review a patient’s medical records, examination results and imaging studies. Patients must first submit a treatment inquiry and upload their current medical documentation. After reviewing the records, the physicians will determine whether an online consultation is available and medically appropriate for the individual case.

Contact us to learn more.

05/08/2026

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer was long considered inoperable in many cases. Today, the combination of systemic therapy and highly specialized surgery allows more patients to undergo potentially effective surgical treatment.

The European research project PALACROS brings together 21 organizations from 12 countries. Its aim is to develop common treatment standards for locally advanced pancreatic cancer and expand access to specialized pancreatic surgery.

The European Pancreas Center at Heidelberg University Hospital plays a key role in the project. The center performs approximately 700 pancreatic resections each year and has extensive experience in treating patients who have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery.

PALACROS will include three international clinical trials evaluating new treatment strategies. The Heidelberg team will also develop an international training and mentoring program to facilitate the exchange of expertise between leading centers and establish consistent quality standards across Europe.

The project emphasizes the importance of an integrated approach to pancreatic cancer treatment. Systemic therapy, specialized surgery, clinical trials and multidisciplinary expertise must be combined within one coordinated treatment strategy.

04/08/2026

Cancer cells can escape immune surveillance and suppress the body’s natural defenses. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize the tumor again and attack it.

Several approaches are available. Immune checkpoint inhibitors release the “brakes” on immune cells. Bispecific antibodies bring T cells into direct contact with cancer cells. In CAR T-cell therapy, a patient’s own immune cells are genetically modified so they can identify and destroy cancer more effectively.

Immunotherapy is used for selected cases of melanoma, lung and kidney cancer, other solid tumors, as well as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. However, it is not suitable for every patient. The decision depends on the tumor type, its molecular characteristics, the stage of the disease and previous treatment.

At the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, new immunotherapy strategies are developed and evaluated in clinical trials. The aim is not only to target the tumor directly, but to mobilize the patient’s own immune system against the disease.

03/08/2026

Some gliomas carry a specific mutation in the IDH1 gene. This mutation helps drive tumor growth, but it may also reveal a potential weakness: it creates a structure that the immune system can recognize and target.

Researchers from Heidelberg, Mannheim and partner institutions used this characteristic to develop a peptide vaccine. The vaccine is designed to train the immune system to identify and attack tumor cells carrying the IDH1 mutation.

The Phase I trial involved 33 patients with newly diagnosed high-grade astrocytomas. The vaccine was administered alongside standard treatment, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Eight years after treatment, 66% of the study participants were still alive, while 42% had experienced no disease progression. The most favorable outcomes were seen in patients who developed a strong and lasting immune response to the vaccine.

The researchers also detected vaccine-activated T cells inside the tumor tissue. This is an important finding because it indicates that the immune response was able to reach the tumor itself rather than remaining only in the bloodstream.

The long-term results provide encouraging evidence that the vaccine can trigger a durable and targeted immune response. Although the Phase I study was small and did not include a control group, the findings support further investigation in a larger randomized Phase II trial.

This approach shows how a genetic feature shared by many tumor cells can be transformed into a precise target for immunotherapy. In the future, such vaccines may expand treatment options for patients with brain tumors that remain particularly difficult to treat.

01/08/2026

In urology, surgery is not only about removing a tumor or repairing a damaged area. Whenever possible, treatment should also preserve organ function and the patient’s quality of life.

At Heidelberg University Hospital, robot-assisted techniques are used for procedures involving the prostate, kidneys, bladder and other parts of the urinary system. The surgeon controls the instruments from a console, works with an enlarged three-dimensional view and can perform highly precise movements in confined anatomical spaces.

This technology can be used both in cancer surgery and in complex reconstructive procedures — for example, to restore the urinary tract after tumor removal, injury or previous treatment.

The robot does not perform the operation independently. Every movement is controlled by the surgeon, and the choice of technique depends on the diagnosis, location of the disease, extent of surgery and the patient’s general condition.

Combining oncological and reconstructive expertise makes it possible to plan treatment not only to remove the disease, but also to preserve or restore important bodily functions.

Adresse

Im Neuenheimer Feld 400
Heidelberg
69120

Öffnungszeiten

Montag	09:00 - 15:30
Dienstag	09:00 - 15:30
Mittwoch	09:00 - 15:30
Donnerstag	09:00 - 15:30
Freitag	09:00 - 14:00

Telefon

+496221566243

Webseite

https://www.heidelberg-university-hospital.com/

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