MedAustron clinic

Although the rooms differ in the mobility of the transmitter, they all have one thing in common: each of the three rooms is equipped with an innovative robotic positioning system.

The clinic carries out a large number of scientific research, including in the field of radiation oncology. The doctors at MedAustron work closely with the Medical University of Vienna, the Vienna University of Technology, the Institute for High Energy Physics of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt and the Graz Medical University.

The clinic is built according to the strictest safety standards of Forster Sandwich Construction. Thanks to them, visitors to the clinic are 100% protected from the radiation of the equipment.

The appearance of the clinic is arranged with care for the welfare of patients. Interior is decorated with natural materials. Several green atriums deliver daylight to every room of the building. At the entrance to the clinic, there is a Japanese Garden, where patients can enjoy some peace and quiet. The pediatric ward is decorated in cheerful tones to make treatment not a scary experience, but an exciting one.

MedAustron Clinic cooperates with transport companies and car rental services, providing patients with reduced prices. The clinic representatives can also help with planning transfers by public transport.

The MedAustron Clinic also cooperates with agencies that can help with the organization of accommodation. Patients can choose from private rooms, hotels, apartments and guesthouses located near the clinic.

Due to the physical properties of protons and carbon ions, radiation that passes through the patient’s body practically does not damage healthy tissues and concentrates on the destruction of the tumour. Proton/ ion beam therapy is, therefore, best suited for treating oncology of radiation-sensitive organs – the brain, spinal cord, eyes, liver and lungs.

The biological efficiency of carbon ions is about three times higher than that of protons. Ion beam therapy is particularly suitable for the treatment of bone and soft tissue cancers, slow-growing tumours, tumours adjacent to radiation-sensitive organs, oxygen-poor malignancies or local relapses after conventional radiation therapy.

The decisive factor in proton therapy is the exact location of the patient. For this purpose, MedAustron uses the world’s first robotic ceiling positioning system specially developed for the medical field. This system allows patients to be positioned with an accuracy of up to half a millimetre and ensures that the patient remains in this position throughout the treatment. The robot can move in seven independent directions. Also, the treatment table can be rotated and tilted. The patient’s position is checked 500 times per second. In this way, the procedure’s accuracy is assured.

Pediatric Oncology at MedAustron Medical Center

A large percentage of patients treated at MedAustron are children. The medical centre accepts patients of all ages. For this group of patients, proton and carbon ion therapy has special advantages. As the child’s body is actively growing and developing, it is more vulnerable to the negative effects of radiation. There is a risk of hormonal disorders or second cancer in adulthood. Proton and ion beam therapy can reduce this risk.

Small children may find it difficult to lie still for a long time, so the procedure is performed under anaesthesia. This helps to make sure that the process will go correctly and safely. The procedure is performed by an experienced paediatrician anesthesiologist.

The MedAustron Medical Center treats these types of pediatric cancer: