A malignant tumor in the area of the jaw and face is a life-threatening but not incurable illness; a large percentage of patients with tumors in the area of the jaw and face can be cured. If a cure is no longer possible, we have a range of treatment methods available today for maintaining our patients’ quality of life for as long as possible.

In the Heidelberg University Hospital Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we provide care for about 22,000 outpatients and 2,000 inpatients every year. Annually, more than 150 new cancer patients are evaluated and treated in our department. With four operating rooms, our department is one of the leading centers of its kind in southern Germany.

We offer the full spectrum of oral, jaw and facial surgery along with all of the available modern cancer treatments. Whether this involves the surgical removal of the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapeutic treatment, or a combination of these modalities, we develop individual treatment plans for every patient. Our areas of concentration are within the realm of tumor surgery, including minimally invasive surgery, laser surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery along with computer-assisted operations. Computer-assisted methods allow surgeons to operate safely, precisely, and therefore conservatively, thereby ensuring an optimal outcome.

Tumor removal from the face frequently leaves visible marks. Rest assured that with modern operative techniques and using grafted tissue, we can repair defects in both soft tissues and bones, either immediately or with a second operation. All of our surgical interventions are directed toward preserving facial appearance and the particular functions of various facial regions.

In the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, together with the German Cancer Research Center, we follow a modern approach called translational research: findings from basic research are quickly translated into clinical management strategies that benefit individual patients. Since squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity affects as many as 95 percent of our oncology patients, this condition is the focus of our research activities. Our aim is to decisively improve the medium and long-range prognosis for our patients. Within the framework of clinical studies, we are testing supportive therapeutic measures in which we pay particular attention to our patients’ quality of life.

Sincerely,

Prof. Dr. Dr. Christof Hofele, M. Sc.

Acting Medical Director of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital.