Medicine

In 2013, German Cancer Aid once again bestowed the title of Comprehensive Cancer Centre on the West German Cancer Centre (WTZ) at University Hospital Essen following an extensive evaluation by an international team of experts. The distinction brings with it total additional funding of three million euros over the next three years for University Hospital Essen, where Oncology is a core area of clinical work, research and teaching. The West German Cancer Centre is already Germany’s largest institution of its kind. It first became a Comprehensive Cancer Centre in 2009. The criteria leading to award of this distinction included creating a central point of contact for patients with all types of cancer, treatment of patients in innovative clinical ­studies, hosting interdisciplinary conferences, development and implementation of treatment pathways, a close connection between research and clinical work, structured collaboration with registered doctors and clinics in the surrounding area, and cooperation with patient representatives and self-help groups.