©UKF / Frederike Tröndle

The Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg (CCCF) at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg has once again been recognized as a “Top Oncological Center” by the German Cancer Aid. This is the fourth time in a row that the Freiburg Center is one of the few certified institutions of this kind in Germany. An international committee of experts certifies the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg above all a very high quality in the interdisciplinary care of cancer patients as well as great innovative strength in the development of new therapies. The German Cancer Aid supports top oncological centers in order to enable cancer patients to receive even better, individually tailored treatment based on the latest research. The Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg will receive three million Euros in funding over a period of four years.

“We were able to further expand the high level of patient care and research at our tumor center. This means that Freiburg continues to be one of the centers with the highest level of competence in cancer medicine nationwide,” Professor Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Officer of the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, is pleased.

“The Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg combines interdisciplinary care according to current medical guidelines with innovative cancer research. At the same time, it provides the transfer of innovations to other care facilities in the region,” says Prof. Dr. Stefan Fichtner-Feigl, spokesperson for the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg.

More than 30 facilities at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg work closely together at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg. The Interdisciplinary Tumor Center has been the central point of contact for tumor patients at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg since 2018. Oncological wards, state-of-the-art outpatient and laboratory rooms, a day clinic, advisory services as well as a central appointment scheduling system for tumor patients are all found here under one roof. This allows for quick processes and short distances for both doctors and patients. A digital registration and patient guidance system reduces waiting times to a minimum.

In 24 regularly held conferences, the so-called tumor boards, doctors and scientists confer with each other on the diagnostics and treatment of cancer patients. At the same time, the tumor boards represent a central point of contact for referring physicians. “Due to the close interlinking of treatment and research, we are often able to offer those affected a suitable therapy in the context of clinical studies early on,” says Prof. Dr. Justus Duyster, Medical Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg.

Research programs that include groups from the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Biology, and the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, are designed to shorten the path of new knowledge from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. In a so-called Early Clinical Trials Unit, early clinical studies are carried out to further improve tumor therapy. In the Molecular Tumor Board, Tailor-made personalized therapy plans are advised and developed based on in-depth molecular diagnostics.

The Scientific Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Freiburg, Prof. Dr. Christoph Peters, points out that, “Thanks to the top-class research at the Freiburg location, we are always able to find new starting points for effective therapies. Patients far beyond the region benefit from this innovative strength.”

“With our CCC initiative we gave an important impetus 14 years ago to bring cancer medicine to a very high level nationwide. We are very pleased that the program and its development are now also enjoying the highest international recognition,” says Gerd Nettekoven, the CEO of German Cancer Aid.