Concentrated competence under one roof - 10 years Stuttgart Cancer Center - Tumor Center Eva Mayr-Stihl
The Stuttgart Cancer Center (SCC) - Tumor Center Eva Mayr-Stihl celebrates its 10th anniversary. The entire competence of the experts in cancer medicine at the Klinikum Stuttgart is bundled in the center. It benefits more than 11,000 newly diagnosed cancer patients every year, who are treated according to individual therapy concepts. Cross-departmental and cross-professional cooperation is always in the foreground. In weekly tumor conferences, experts from the 18 certified centers of the SCC exchange ideas and discuss individual therapy concepts for cancer patients. Patient care is based on the latest scientific knowledge. Numerous national and international scientific projects and studies are coordinated at Klinikum Stuttgart. In the new building of the Stuttgart Cancer Center - Tumor Center Eva Mayr-Stihl (SCC), from the beginning of 2024, the Stuttgart Clinic will also bundle the structural expertise for the treatment of cancer patients on 14,000 square meters.
"Instead of having to try drugs and their effects first, thanks to the comprehensive analyzes we can tailor therapies very specifically, achieve better treatment results and avoid side effects. We are now breaking down large classic tumor groups down to a molecular level. In this way, common cancers become precisely characterized, individual tumor entities,” explains Prof. Gerald Illerhaus, Medical Director and head of the SCC. Molecular pathology plays an important role in the Stuttgart Clinic. Thanks to the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, one of the most powerful devices in the field of molecular genetic analysis could be purchased. The sequencer enables a complete analysis of numerous tumor genomes in parallel within hours and thus makes a significant contribution to making patient treatment even more individual with the help of personalized medicine.
The Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation has financially supported the founding and expansion of the SCC from the very beginning. “My wife and I knew that cancer was a central, important issue. As a foundation, we want to support what goes beyond the normal level of medical care,” says the founder and CEO of the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, Robert Mayr. Patients and their relatives receive support from oncological patient guides throughout the course of treatment. Art, movement and music therapy contribute to improving the quality of life and coping with the disease. The interdisciplinary care of patients at the Stuttgart Clinic is massively strengthened by annual funding of over 4 million euros from the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation. Founder Robert Mayr also associates the anniversary with memories: "My wife, who unfortunately passed away about a year ago, was always very proud that this SCC bears her name. It has developed into a real success story. Congratulations to the team at the Stuttgart Cancer Center – Tumor Center Eva Mayr-Stihl on their 10th anniversary. I wish you many years to come that are just as successful!”
At the festive event in the Liederhalle, moderated by the doctor and medical journalist Dr. Julia Fischer, well-known representatives of healthcare and oncology were guests and brought their congratulations. In his presentation, Gerd Nettekoven, board member of the German Cancer Aid, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary oncological care, which is provided at the highest level in strong, certified centers. His wish for the future: "These centers must network more closely with each other and initiate joint programs." Michael Hallek, Director of the Clinic for Internal Medicine and the Center for Integrated Oncology at the University Hospital in Cologne. He was impressed by the dynamic and high performance of cancer medicine in the Stuttgart Clinic and in his presentation referred to the ongoing National Decade Against Cancer. In a European comparison, Germany is already at a high level of cancer care. He emphasized: "The goal must be top-quality care for all patients." Further regional networks are important for this, but also a strengthening of translational research with the implementation of basic scientific findings in concrete therapies.
Karin Maag, impartial member of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) from Stuttgart, knows the importance of the Stuttgart Cancer Center - Tumor Center Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation: "The SCC is a very important institution in Stuttgart, which is run by the city and the Eva Mayr- Stihl Foundation.” The G-BA also aims to provide patient care at the highest possible level. Studies in many areas, especially oncology, have shown that there is a connection between the amount of work and the quality. “The risk of dying as a cancer patient is up to 26% lower in large certified centers. That is why we are introducing minimum quantities in the interests of patient safety.” Only hospitals that achieve a minimum number for particularly complex procedures are allowed to perform them.
During the discussion that followed, it became clear that the Stuttgart Cancer Center in the Stuttgart Clinic, as the largest center providing maximum care in Baden-Württemberg, provides medicine at university level. The planned hospital reform is an opportunity to further increase the quality and success of therapy for those affected by setting up centers. Whatever the hospital reform brings, the SCC is well prepared for the future.
Clinic in Stuttgart
The Klinikum Stuttgart includes the Katharinenhospital, the Bad Cannstatt Hospital and Germany's largest children's hospital, the Olgahospital. 8,000 employees, including 2,800 nurses and 1,000 doctors, treat around 90,000 inpatients and almost 600,000 outpatients every year, including 100,000 emergencies. More than 3,000 births and more than 53,000 operations are attended to at the Stuttgart Clinic every year.
