Ulm revolutionizes breast cancer treatment: fewer operations, better healing!

Ulm revolutionizes breast cancer treatment: fewer operations, better healing!

New standards in breast cancer treatment are currently being set at the Ulm University Hospital. The renowned clinic played a formative role in the INSEMA study, which provided promising insights into the treatment of breast cancer. This study aims to enable less invasive procedures without jeopardizing the chances of recovery. Good news for patients: Operations can now be carried out more gently and for a shorter period of time. This promises not only less pain, but also shorter hospital stays, as SWR reports that.

One of these patients is Julia, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024. She would like to remain anonymous, but her story illustrates how the new treatment methods are becoming tangible. She had surgery two days ago and so far she only feels slight pain. The INSEMA study has shown that removing lymph nodes in the armpit is not always necessary, which is a huge relief for many sufferers. Dr. Visnja Fink, head of the Breast Center, underlines the relevance of these findings for international guidelines on breast cancer treatment.

Focus on individual treatments

One of the main goals of the INSEMA study is to target postoperative therapy to the biological characteristics of the tumor rather than relying on the detection of lymph node metastases. The need for surgical interventions is optimized. Studies show that fewer axillary surgeries provide equivalent oncological results and help minimize the risks of surgical complications, according to the German Society for Senology.

The study uses a prospective randomized design in which participants with invasive breast cancer are randomized into two groups: one group does not receive axillary surgery, the other group undergoes a sentinel lymph node biopsy. Patients with a higher risk of metastases will undergo further surgery depending on the findings. In this way, doctors receive specific information that helps them make treatment decisions.

The Ulm Breast Center

Every year around 900 breast operations are carried out at the Ulm Breast Center, which also include chemotherapy. Before an operation, individual tissue analyzes are carried out in order to accurately assess the risk of recurrence and avoid unnecessary treatments. What is particularly noteworthy is that the patients are accompanied by specially trained nursing staff, the so-called breast care nurses. This ensures holistic care throughout the entire treatment process.

In addition, current studies such as the SURVIVE study are actively communicated to improve aftercare. A new concept makes it possible to detect the smallest tumor cells in the blood in order to draw conclusions about possible relapses. Julia, who recently had an operation, is also taking part in this study and is optimistic about the future, as the study platform reports.