The Department of Thoracic Surgery at Evang. Kliniken Essen-Mitte covers the entire spectrum of open and minimally invasive thoracic surgery. This includes the thoracic region – specifically, the pleura, lungs, trachea and bronchi, mediastinum, and chest wall.
Whether congenital, tumor-related, or caused by accidents or (chronic) illnesses: we offer our patients thorough diagnostics and individualized treatment. State-of-the-art surgical procedures help to preserve healthy tissue as much as possible and shorten the healing process.
A key focus of the department is the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the lung, pleura, and mediastinum. Other focal points include metastatic surgery, also tissue-sparingly using lasers, septic thoracic surgery, plastic surgery of the chest wall, and the treatment of rare diseases such as hyperhidrosis or myasthenia.
Extensive surgical expertise and experience exist in the earliest possible, usually minimally invasive, surgical treatment of pleural inflammations in their various stages. This can prevent associated scarring and shrinkage of the chest and the significant, permanent limitations in lung function that result.
Lung Cancer Center
Under the umbrella of the DKG-certified Lung Cancer Center, Evang. Kliniken Essen-Mitte brings together the high expertise of the participating specialist departments within the hospital. Our patients benefit from close collaboration within the fields of thoracic surgery, pulmonology, anesthesiology, palliative medicine, radiology, pathology, oncology, and radiation therapy. Thorough and timely diagnostics lead to individualized, patient-oriented, and guideline-compliant treatment.
Lung cancer
Lung carcinoma, or lung cancer, is the most common cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide and in Germany. In women, lung cancer ranks third among the most common malignant diseases, after breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Lung carcinoma is the endpoint of a sequence of cell damages caused by carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) over years to decades. For example, the cell type of the bronchial mucosa cells can change (metaplasia), or existing cells can show microscopic changes (dysplasias) due to continuous damage. These dysplasias can increase in number and severity and ultimately lead to a transition into a carcinoma initially confined to the bronchial mucosa (so-called carcinoma in situ), from which a tumor later develops that grows beyond the mucosal boundary and into the lung.
Lung Metastases
Lung metastases are secondary tumors from malignant tumors of other organs (e.g., breast, colon, kidneys, uterus, prostate). They can occur simultaneously with the diagnosis of the primary tumor (synchronous) or later in the course after initial treatment of the primary tumor (metachronous), sometimes even decades later.
Mediastinal Tumor
A mediastinal tumor refers to all growths and neoplasms originating from tissues located in the mediastinum (the space behind the breastbone). These can be tumors originating from the thymus (thymomas), lymph nodes (lymphomas), connective tissue, thyroid gland, or nerve strands. Many very rare tumors are also possible, such as germ cell tumors. It is not uncommon for benign cysts (fluid-filled cavities) to also occur in the mediastinum. Overall, mediastinal tumors are rare. Most mediastinal tumors in adults occur between the ages of 30 and 50.
Incidental Pulmonary Nodule
Incidental pulmonary nodules (IPN) are shadows in the lung discovered by chance that require careful monitoring to detect malignant changes early. Depending on the findings, treatment options range from regular check-ups to bronchoscopic biopsy and surgical removal. In our pulmonary nodule clinic, we provide individualized, guideline-compliant advice.
Tracheal Stenosis
Tracheal stenoses, or narrowing of the trachea, occur due to various causes and in different degrees of severity. In industrialized nations, the most common causes of tracheal narrowing in adults are medical interventions such as tracheotomies, intubations, and ventilation, or injuries sustained during these procedures. These account for up to 50 percent of new cases. In up to one-third of cases, no exact cause can be found for conditions referred to as idiopathic subglottic tracheal stenoses (ISGS). Other rarer causes include autoimmune diseases such as Wegener’s granulomatosis, inhalation trauma, infections, radiation, and tumors. For selecting the correct therapy, in addition to the cause, the location of the stenosis relative to the vocal cords and the length of the affected area are particularly important.
Excessive Sweating
Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, is a condition characterized by excessive sweating that affects about one to two percent of the population. Some people sweat excessively all over their body (generalized hyperhidrosis). However, it can also occur in isolation in the hands (palmar hyperhidrosis), armpits (axillary hyperhidrosis), or feet (plantar hyperhidrosis).
Diaphragmatic Paralysis
The diaphragm is a muscle-tendon plate that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. In addition to this function, the diaphragm is the most important respiratory muscle. The diaphragm’s contribution to breathing at rest is 30 to 50 percent and increases to up to 80 percent during physical exertion. During inhalation, the diaphragm descends into the abdominal cavity, increasing the volume of the lungs, allowing them to fill with air.
