International Patients

Radiation therapy is a procedure to eradicate tumor cells. Unlike healthy cells, tumor cells cannot repair the genetic damage caused by X-rays and consequently die. Owing to this difference between tumor and healthy tissues, areas which are only sporadically affected by tumor cells (e.g. lymphatic drainage pathways or the "invasion front" around tumors) can also be treated gently.

Important for the success of a radiation therapy is the overall dose delivered to the tumor. The higher the achievable dose, the higher the eradication rate. Modern therapy devices can achieve extremely high doses in tumors either by using them right at the "tumor bed" during surgery (intraoperative radiation therapy) or by tailoring the therapy field using image-guided and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT/IGRT), to ensure that surrounding healthy tissue is spared efficiently.

The most important effect of therapeutic X-rays is the efficacious elimination of tumor cells. It is therefore commonly given concomitantly with surgery and systemic therapy (e.g., chemotherapy) as an important (and in some cases indispensable) component of cancer therapies.
It is also used for some conditions unrelated to cancer: low doses of radiation can relieve pain caused by bone outgrowths (e.g., heel spurs) or chronic inflammatory conditions in joints or tendons (e.g., tennis elbow).

Should you be interested in information about the possibility of radiation treatment for your particular disease, or radiation therapy has already been recommended for you, we request the following documents for the evaluation and determination of a suitable therapy concept for you:

All documents and physician letters you previously received, images (X-ray, CT, MRI) on CD or DVD (not necessary if you underwent the examination at the UK Bonn), a current referral (not required for privately insured patients).

In case of any questions, please feel free to contact us prior to your appointment at +49 228 287-15935, and we are pleased to assist you.

Initial consultation: In case radiation therapy is an appropriate option for you, your doctor will inform you in the initial consultation about the radiation therapy suitable for you and the time schedule that matches your needs. Your personal plans and wishes may be considered.

At the initial consultation, you will also be given appointments for the radiation planning CT and the first radiation therapy.

Radiation planning CT: Before you start radiation therapy, a computed tomography (CT) scan, is performed for radiation planning ("radiation planning CT"). These cross-sectional images are primarily not obtained to estimate local tumor extent or to find tumor metastases, but to provide basic anatomical and physical data needed for an accurate, 3D radiation planning using state-of-the-art software. The radiation planning CT thus represents a key element in the treatment of patients requiring radiation therapy in our comprehensive cancer center.

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The planning CT takes approx. 20-30 minutes

Your first treatment takes approx. 15 minutes

During radiation therapy, you can and should usually continue with your usual daily activities (e.g., work, shopping, and social contacts). Depending on the irradiated region, however, you should comply with some rules which may reduce possible side effects or accelerate the healing process:

Skin protection: in general, for all irradiations, modern techniques allow the skin to be very well preserved, but you should still avoid any skin irritation (e.g., from sun, chlorinated water, sauna). Deodorants and creams in irradiated areas should only be used after consultation with your physician.

Eating habits: No specific rules need to be obeyed. However, in the case of irradiation in the pelvic area you should avoid flatulent vegetables (e.g. beans, legumes).

Drinking: No specific recommendations need to be followed. During pelvic irradiations you should drink more than usual and make sure you avoid acidic drinks such as juices or coke and lemonade.

Complementary medicine ("alternative medicine"): In principle, there are no particular dietary restrictions to follow. Certain substances can, however, intensify the side effects of radiation and/or chemotherapy or even reduce the anti cancer effects. We therefore always ask you to provide us with information about the drugs you are currently using.

Alcohol should be consumed in small amounts only or entirely omitted.

Smoking: For many cancers, radiation is less effective when patients smoke during radiation therapy. Every day of radiation is a good day to quit smoking.

Exercise and sports: Exercise and (moderate) physical activity are important and have proven to promote the healing process and the tolerability of almost all cancer therapies.

In case any further questions should arise during your therapy, we will be at your side to make your therapy as convenient as possible.

Inpatient treatment is offered in our ward (Station Boldt, ground floor, building 11).

In general, inpatient treatment is not mandatory for the vast majority of radiation therapy treatments.

Nevertheless, depending on your symptoms, you may be hospitalized at any time during the course of your treatment. Likewise, you can smoothly continue with outpatient therapy after hospitalization and improvemnet of your symptoms.

When you are referred to our ward, we kindly request you to bring the following documents with you:

Inpatient admission

A current medication plan

If available:

A current physician letter

Allergy records

Implant certificates (especially for pacemakers)

Living will

Arranging your Travel

To ensure that all international patients that require medical care have rapid access to treatment at our center, we offer specific travel/accomodation and visa assistance. Please contact our boarding team (service in German, English and Arabic) of the international medical service (IMS) office here.

Service for international patients

We offer treatment by USMLE-qualified physicians, ensuring patient guidance and interaction as well as adequate communication and interaction with foreign physicians at a high level of English proficiency. UKB offers many services, including screening, chemotherapy, and medical testing.

Scheduling a visit is easy. E-mail us at Enable JavaScript to view protected content. or call us at +49 228 287-11241 to get started.

We offer treatment by doctors that passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination®, a three-step examination for medical licensure in the U.S, assessing a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and principles, and to demonstrate fundamental patient-centered skills, that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe and effective patient care. Learn more at https://www.usmle.org/ (external site).