The
The Westdeutsches Protonentherapiezentrum Essen (WPE) is one of the world's leading and largest university centers for proton therapy in Germany. As a clinical facility of the University Medicine Essen, it has been offering state-of-the-art radiotherapy with few side effects for patients with tumors, especially in the head, spine and pelvic area, including primary brain tumors, sarcomas, prostate carcinomas and nasopharyngeal carcinomas, since 2013. A special focus is on the treatment of children and young adults, as proton therapy optimally protects the sensitive, still immature tissue and can also be used in very young children (< 5 years)[3][4][5].
The mission of the WPE is to significantly improve the quality of life of its patients through precise and gentle radiotherapy and to advance innovative cancer treatments. This takes place embedded in the West German Tumor Center Essen (WTZ), which ensures that the WPE has interdisciplinary expertise and comprehensive oncological care. The center stands for technological excellence, scientific research and patient-oriented care, which is supplemented by a comprehensive psychosocial offering and individual consultations[4][6].
Sustainability and quality are equally important to the WPE: The center undergoes regular audits and meets demanding certification standards to guarantee the highest treatment safety and quality. The almost complete recording of patients in studies and the development of psychosocial support services were particularly praised by independent auditors[6].
The WPE is also an internationally recognized partner, for example for the National Health Service (NHS) England, where it successfully treats British children and young adults with special tumor diseases. This cooperation underlines the center's network of experts and its leading position in proton therapy throughout Europe[1].
With four state-of-the-art treatment rooms equipped with advanced Pencil Beam Scanning technology, the WPE is designed for a capacity of up to 800 treatments per year. The complete takeover by the University Hospital Essen secures the long-term further development of the center and guarantees planning security for the expansion of treatment options for the benefit of patients[2][3].
Overall, the Westdeutsches Protonentherapiezentrum Essen stands for innovative medical technology excellence, humane and individual patient care and sustainable progress in oncological precision medicine.
Important keywords: Proton therapy, tumor therapy, pediatric oncology treatment, university medical center, quality assurance, interdisciplinary care, technological innovation, psychosocial care, international cooperation, sustainable development.
