Cyberknife Center Hamburg (36)
Cancer Clinic, Germany

I have just returned from my second course of treatment. I found the experience very good. Professor Seegenshmiedt and his staff are all
friendly with Prof Seegenshmiedt himself being very informative of the process in a reassuring manner. I would not hesitate in
recommending the services of this clinic to any person considering treatment. Being from the UK was not a problem, as Professor
Seegenschmiedt and a number of his staff spoke excellent English. My hotel was in Central Hamburg, but I found public transport to
the clinic very easy and efficient, which allowed me to also enjoy the City between treatments.
 

Reviewer: Username: Peter Age: 45-54 Location: Liverpool, UK Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radio Therapy

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

The clinic performed two rounds of radiotherapy with the objective of halting growth of nodules and cords in my right hand, or shrinking
them. I had two rounds of radiotherapy, each on five consecutive days with 3 months between the two rounds. Two or three small
nodules disappeared after the first round, and the main nodule and cord on which one NA/PNF procedure had already been performed in
France shrunk in size after each round. I therefore consider the treatment effective and worthwhile - for now. I continue to wear a
splint every night, though, to prevent the most affected finger from bending again. Reception and treatment by Dr. Seegenschmiedt and
his team was professional and very friendly at all times. It helped create trust in a treatment which is painless but not entirely
without risk. Although getting to Hamburg was easy and the time there well spent, I hope the treatment will soon be available in my
country of residence so I can avoid the travel and treatment costs which at the moment I have to bear myself. I highly recommend
consulting Dr. Seegenschmiedt, even by email, for his evaluation if radiotherapy is a promising treatment option for your Dupuytren's
nodules and cords.
 

Reviewer: Username: Stef Age: 45-54 Location: Paris, France Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiotherapy of one hand

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

I just returned from another trip to Hamburg to receive the second round of radiation for Dupuytrens. I noticed some improvement
following the first round, but it is too early at this point to know what level of improvement I will ultimately achieve since my hands
are still recovering from the treatment. Regardless of my personal outcome, I found Prof. Seegenschmiedt to be a very kind and caring
doctor. In my case, he helped me greatly with some anxiety and depression which accompanied my basic health problems. He advised me
to wait and see what amount of progression I may have with the Ledderhose, before I have any treatment of my feet. But if I ever do
need this treatment I will definately go back! Thank you Prof. S. and all your staff for your professional and compassionate care.
 

Reviewer: Username: John D. Age: 55 yrs and above Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiation of both hands

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

I have had four visits to see professor Seegenschmiedt over the past 4 years for Dupuytrens in my left hand then later in my right. My
wife has also had 4 visits, first for Dupuytrens in her right hand then for Ledderhose in both feet. Every time, we have felt welcome,
well cared for, and have felt certain of the high quality of the equipment and our treatment plans. And we have achieved complete cures
every time.
 

Reviewer: Username: Roger Age: 55 yrs and above Location: Canada Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiotherapy

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

I had a really good experience recieving treatment for Ledderhose disease here. A very nice and professional personel took great care of
me all the time. My impression is that they have good routines for treating patients from abroad and english was widely spoken. Highly
reccomendable!
 

Reviewer: Username: JN Age: 25-34 Location: Norway Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiation treatment

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

My first treatment was fantastic eveyone from the Professor to the radiographers were fantastic. All spoke excellent English and the
facilities were relaxed and very easy. Apart from my initial consultation and follow up on thursday you can turn up whenever you like
during opening times. The clinic is easy to get too and I would highly recommend it. Back for second treatment next week.
 

Reviewer: Username: Lazar Age: 45-54 Location: Sheffield UK Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiotherapy

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

Really friendly and kind personal, very professional at the same time. The clinic is very comfortable.
 

Reviewer: Username: miro Age: 25-34 Location: London Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radio therapy

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

I had two sessions of radiation treatment for Dupuytren's in my hand. It was the best decision that I could have made. The experience
could not have been any better. Professor Seegenschmeidt and his team of professionals were extremely efficient and accommodating.
Communication was thorough and prompt throughout the 12 week treatment process. The clinic is run very efficiently - appointments are
kept promptly without waiting time. And most importantly, the treatment has been successful! I am thrilled with the results. I am no
longer experiencing symptoms of active disease and had no side effects from the treatments. I very highly recommend Professor
Seegenschmeidt and his clinic.
 

Reviewer: Username: Pam in the US Age: 45-54 Location: Tennessee, United States Gender: female Operation or treatment: radiation to the hand

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

I am very impressed with the treatment I received at the Strahlenzentrum Hamburg Germany. Everything was handled in a friendly
efficient manner right through from the consultations with Dr Seegenschmiedt , the Radiation technicians ,to the administration
staff. Both my hands are greatly improved since the treatment, and I would certainly recommend this clinic to anyone with this
condition.
 

Reviewer: Username: Michael Age: 55 yrs and above Location: Hamburg Germany Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiation Tratment

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less

The short version: if you want the best, look no further. Brief background: Having discovered that I had Dupuytren's disease I began
to research the disease by looking at the medical literature, and quickly discovered that a certain Professor Seegenschmiedt had carried
out a long-term clinical study of the use of radiation to treat the disease. Equally quickly I decided to find out everything I could
about radiotherapy for Dupuytren's and Ledderhose diseases, and help others to access the information in that literature. I co-founded a
Facebook group for people who want to know more about radiation therapy for Dupuytren's disease, and for doctors who treat the diseases
with radiation. The longer version: I live a long way from Hamburg, so I sent some photos of my hands to Prof Seegenschmiedt to help
him assess whether my Dupuytren’s disease was likely to be at a stage where radiotherapy would help. He told me that the photos were
very useful and sent me a questionnaire to fill in and we agreed that I would visit his clinic in Hamburg. It was not easy to get
confirmation of the date of my treatment from his secretariat, and in the end I booked both travel and accommodation without being sure
that the date I had proposed for my visit to Hamburg would be accepted. This relaxed attitude probably stems from the very flexible
scheduling at the clinic, but it was a little unnerving, and remains the only flaw in an operation that otherwise goes a very long way
to build the patient’s confidence in the therapy. My appointment with Prof Seegenschmiedt was for 14:30 on a Monday afternoon, but
he was running late and I was glad of having brought something to read. I found Prof Seegenschmiedt relaxed, welcoming, warm,
communicative, sharp as a tack, an active listener, with a good sense of humour, affable, reassuring, likeable, and capable of working
quickly, surely and without fuss. I felt an immediate contact with him, and had we met in other circumstances - say, a hiking trip - we
would doubtless have become friends. He has remarkably sensitive hands. It's as if he sees and hears with his fingertips. After a
brief discussion about his clinical trial he asked to see my feet, saying that many people with Dupuytren's disease also have Ledderhose
disease; and so it turned out. Then he took one hand, turned it palm up and gently stretched each finger in turn away from the palm
(i.e. towards the floor). Holding the finger like that, he started with the first phalange and felt carefully around the edges of the
phalange. As he palpated, he drew roughly round the perimeter of the nodules with a pen. Still holding the finger extended, he then
moved to the area of the palm closest to the finger, and explored it with his finger tips, paying special attention to the areas in line
with the gaps between the fingers. He worked towards the lines in my palms, outlining all the nodules he found. He then repeated this
with the next finger, and so on. Finally he moved his attention to the palms of my hands, working first along the space between the
"head" and "heart" lines, and then in the heel of my hand and the pad of my thumb. I couldn't tell you how long he took, but it was
reassuring just to see how thorough and careful he was, and how he seemed to listen to his fingertips. Now I know they are there, I
can feel most of the nodules he detected. Where I thought I had three nodules in my left hand, Dr Seegenschmiedt found 10 and a couple
of cords I didn't know about, and where I knew about 4, possibly 5 nodules in my right hand, he discovered 15, and 5 cords I hadn't
detected. We may think we know our own hands, but when it comes to Dupuytren's, it's a job for the professionals. Having mapped my
hands, he went back over each nodule, and assessed how hard it was. He told me that if it resists as if it were bone (or as hard as a
coconut) he gives that 4 points. If it's hard, but you can detect the slightest give in the nodule, he describes that as the hardness of
a tennis ball, and gives it 3. If it's resilient but still allows some slight give and take, like an orange, he scores it 2. If it is
soft to the touch, like a tomato, he scores it 1. Cords also get 1. He adds them up and if it comes to 5 or 6, he would recommend that
you consider radiotherapy. He told me that palpation shows him exactly where the disease is manifesting. He then takes a margin of
about 2 cm above and below the most extreme areas, and about 1 cm to left and right, to ensure that all the diseased tissue is in the
target area. This may well mean that the target area will cover the entire hand. If there is evidence of the disease in the phalanges,
he will extend the area to include the next phalange as well. Thus for him, there is no point in constructing a careful and precise
shield for each patient – the areas affected are too diffuse for that – and so a series of pre-milled shields are perfectly
adequate. He asked me to sign two forms, one saying that he has explained the risks involved and that I understood them, and the
other saying that I didn't want a 24hr cooling off period to think about it. I signed both, and was treated for the first time that week
a few minutes after leaving his office. My second series of radiation was about 14 weeks after the first. It went just as smoothly.
My hope is that the radiation will stop the disease from progressing, and I believe that even if it doesn’t, I could not have
hoped for a more professional, attentive and understanding doctor, or a kinder and more helpful staff.
 

Reviewer: Username: Kalense Age: 55 yrs and above Location: Stockholm, Sweden Gender: male Operation or treatment: Radiation therapy

Ratings: Outcome of treatment: Quality of care: Value for money: Patient Communication: Hospital/clinic environment:

 
Read less