Welcome to the official website of German Center for Thermal Ablation Association
Various methods of tissue ablation using thermal effects (heat) have been used in clinical practice since the 1970s. Thermal ablation of thyroid nodules, prostate tissue, lipomas and breast nodules does not compete with established procedures such as thyroid surgery, prostate surgery, breast surgery, radiation, drug therapy and radioiodine therapy. Rather, thermal ablation should be seen as a useful complement to existing therapeutic options.
History of thermal ablation:
Here you will find information on the alternative treatment of benign thyroid nodules and malignant thyroid carcinomas as well as benign breast nodules (fibroadenomas, phylloid tumours) and malignant breast cancer (mammary carcinomas). These therapies are carried out using microwave ablation, laser ablation, echotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. The umbrella term for these therapy methods is thermal ablation.
Basics of thermal ablation
The aim of thermal ablation is the permanent destruction of the diseased tissue with subsequent volume reduction. During thermal ablation, the pathological tissue is brought to a temperature of at least 60°C in the ablation zone, also known as the therapy volume. The surrounding healthy tissue is spared.
Through the targeted application of heat, unwanted cells are specifically heated and killed. This stimulates the body to break down the killed cells. The nodule is removed by the activated immune system and therefore loses volume. Currently, thermal ablation is considered a novel and alternative treatment method for various diseases, such as the treatment of thyroid nodules, parathyroid adenomas, prostatic hyperplasia, fibroadenomas and lipomas. The advantages of thermal ablation are very clear. Often, complete recovery can be achieved through thermal ablation, and conventional therapy with organ loss can be bypassed.
Alternative Treatment of Thyroid Cancer
Different thermal ablation procedures
Prof. Dr. Dr. Hüdayi Korkusuz, scientific advisor of the DZTA, is considered a worldwide pioneer in the alternative treatment of thyroid nodules. Since the introduction of the various thermal ablation methods in 2012, he has been developing and researching them continuously in search of better treatments. He trains other doctors and has developed a special certification programme for their training.
Thermal ablation is an umbrella term for the following procedures
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Radiofrequency ablation: Prof. Dr. Dr. Korkusuz was the first to use of bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation against thyroid nodules by inserting a small probe into the thyroid nodule. Three weeks after the successfull therapy there were no visible signs of the treatment.
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Laser ablation: The tissue is destroyed with a red laser. Prof. Dr. Dr. Korkusuz was the first to use of red laser against thyroid nodules
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Microwave ablation: During Microwave Ablation, a probe is inserted into the skin under local anaesthesia. Microwave Ablation has been used for the treatment of simultaneously existing hot and cold thyroid nodules. The therapy is very safe and has few side effects.
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Echotherapy (HIFU, HIFU (High-intensity focused ultrasound): The first ultrasound treatment of thyroid tissue in Germany has been performed by Prof. Korkusuz at Frankfurt University Hospital. Ultrasound waves eliminate the diseased tissue underneath the skin without damaging the skin itself.
Prof. Korkusuz is the only person in the world who has worked with all systems and can therefore offer and carry out individual therapy for each patient. Prof. Korkusuz has published more than 50 scientific articles on the above-mentioned procedures.
Advantages of thermal ablation at a glance
Minimally invasive: Radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and laser ablation are performed in a minimally invasive way. A small skin incision with a width of only 1 mm is sufficient.
Non-invasive: Echotherapy, including HIFU, is performed without a skin incision. Echotherapy can be used to treat thyroid nodules and breast lumps without an incision.
Local anaesthetic:: Only a small local anaesthetic is needed, like at the dentist’s. General anaesthetic is not necessary
Outpatient surgery: The therapy is performed on an outpatient basis. After the procedure, the patient can go home.
No scarring: No signs of a surgery having been performed will be visible after the procedure. There is no risk of scarring.
Very good results: The nodules become smaller by almost 50% within 3 months. Sometimes the nodules are no longer even detectable. The cosmetic results are unbeatable!
No need to take medication: After surgery or radioiodine therapy, patients have to take hormones for life because they no longer have a functioning thyroid. This is not necessary after thermal ablation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a limit? No, there is no size limit. Nodules, i.e. tumours (benign and cancer) from 1 ml to 300 ml can be treated.
How do I prepare? Send your findings (ultrasound images, biopsy results and laboratory findings) to info@dzta.de. Once we have reviewed them, you will receive an individual response on how to proceed.
Are the side effect rate low or high? The complication rates are very low at 0.1 to 0.2%. Therefore, children are also treated with the procedure.
Who is Prof. Dr Dr H. Korkusuz?
Prof. Dr Dr Hüdayi Korkusuz is a member of the scientific advisory board of the DZTA and is considered a worldwide pioneer in alternative non-surgical treatment.
Since the introduction of the various thermal ablation methods in 2012, he has been developing and researching them continuously in search of better treatments. He trains other doctors and has developed a special certification programme for their training.
Prizes and awards for Prof. Dr Dr H. Korkusuz
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29/11/2012 DAAD Prize 2002 of Justus Liebig University Giessen for outstanding academic achievements
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12/12/2017 Certificate of Honour of the City of Frankfurt in gratitude and recognition for his outstanding contribution to the welfare of the citizens of the City of Frankfurt, Germany
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05/06/2018 Certificate of Honour from the Minister of Social Affairs and Integration of the State of Hesse, Germany for outstanding achievements for the benefit of the State of Hesse, Germany.
Doctorate
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10/2006 Doctorate in medicine, awarded by the Department of Medicine of Justus Liebig University Giessen. Doctoral thesis: ‘Influence of myocardial hypertrophy and neurohumoral factors on the contraction behaviour of isolated ventricular myocardial cells’
Habilitation
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10/2013 Habilitation in medicine awarded by the Department of Medicine of Goethe University Frankfurt. Habilitation thesis: ‘Pathophysiology of late gadolinium enhancement – experimental autoimmune myocarditis’
Adjunct professorship
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23/02/2017 Award of the academic title ‘Adjunct Professor’
Professor Dr. Dr. Huedayi Korkusuz
Scientific advisory board and founding member of the German Center for Thermal Ablation
Professor Korkusuz with his students at the first international thermal ablation congress in Frankfurt in 2017
Prof. Korkusuz teaches other doctors in Europe and around the world. Here you see him with colleagues in France
Professor Dr. Dr. Korkusuz says:
A personal conversation and a detailed examination are important to offer each patient an individual therapy.
Until now, more than 1.000 patients have been treated with thermal ablation in our center; the experiences are consistently positive!
The treatment methods are effective, safe for the patient and also show excellent cosmetic results.
For thermal ablation general anesthesia is not necessary, because it is performed in local anesthesia.
The TV team accompanies Professor Korkusuz during the non-invasive treatment (HIFU).
Prof. Korkusuz speaks about alternative treatment methods at the World Congress CIRSE 2019.
