How Does Individual Treatment Planning Work at the Hallwang Clinic?

From the Initial Review of Medical Records to a Tailored Treatment Concept

A cancer diagnosis raises many questions for patients and their families. Patients not only want to understand which therapies are generally available, but above all: Which treatment options are medically appropriate for my individual situation?

At the Hallwang Clinic, treatment therefore does not begin with a rigid, standardized solution. The first step is always a structured, interdisciplinary medical assessment of the individual disease.

Even before treatment may begin, the available medical findings are reviewed and, where medically appropriate, supplemented by further diagnostic investigations. All results are then evaluated in the context of the available scientific evidence.

Five Steps to an Individual Treatment Plan

Step 1: Review of the Available Medical Records

Every treatment plan begins with a comprehensive evaluation of the existing medical findings. These may include:

• histopathology reports and tissue analyses
  
• medical letters and reports on previous treatments
  
• imaging findings, including CT, MRI, or PET/CT
  
• current laboratory results
  
• previously completed molecular investigations and biomarker analyses

The review considers not only the diagnosis itself, but also the course of the disease to date, the response to previous treatments, and any relevant coexisting medical conditions.

The objective is to determine which information is already available and which additional findings may still be required to support a well-founded treatment decision.

Step 2: Additional Diagnostics Where Medically Appropriate

Modern precision oncology relies on detailed biological information about the tumor. Depending on the type of cancer, stage of disease, and specific clinical question, targeted additional investigations may therefore be recommended.

• Molecular tumor profiling and next-generation sequencing (NGS):
  Analysis of genetic driver mutations and other potentially relevant molecular alterations
  
• Liquid biopsy:
  Analysis of circulating tumor DNA in the blood
  
• Biomarker analyses:
  Identification of specific proteins or potential targets for targeted therapies

International professional organizations such as ESMO, ASCO, and NCCN recommend advanced molecular diagnostics when the results may have direct therapeutic implications.

Step 3: Scientific Evaluation of All Findings

Once the diagnostic process has been completed, all available information is brought together. The medical team evaluates the overall clinical picture according to several key criteria:

• Tumor biology:
  Molecular characteristics, mutation type, and biological aggressiveness
• Available evidence:
  Comparison with international clinical guidelines and current study data
• Patient-specific factors:
  Overall health, pre-existing conditions, previous treatments, and individual treatment goals

Molecular alterations are not assessed in isolation. They are interpreted using established evaluation frameworks, such as the ESCAT classification, and in relation to the available scientific evidence.

At this stage, the clinic combines established standards of care with the findings of modern precision medicine.

You can learn more about when treatments are considered scientifically supported in our article, Evidence in Cancer Medicine.

Step 4: Development of an Individual Treatment Concept

Based on this comprehensive evaluation, the interdisciplinary medical team develops a transparent and individualized treatment concept.

This may consist of several clearly differentiated components:

1. Antitumor treatment:
   Systemic therapies such as immunotherapies, targeted therapies, antibody-drug conjugates, chemotherapy, or local ablative procedures. In selected individual cases, the medical team may also assess whether an evidence-based off-label treatment could be appropriate.
   
2. Supportive medicine:
   Targeted management of side effects, pain control, and measures intended to preserve physical resilience
   
3. Integrative medicine:
   Evidence-based complementary measures designed to support quality of life and alleviate selected treatment-related symptoms

Each proposed measure is assigned a clearly defined purpose within the overall treatment concept.

Step 5: Transparent Consultation Before Treatment Begins

Before treatment is initiated, the medical team discusses the proposed concept with the patient in detail and on an equal basis.

This consultation includes:

• Medical rationale:
  Why is each measure being recommended?
  
• Potential benefits and risks:
  A realistic assessment of the intended effects and possible side effects
  
• Treatment process and logistics:
  The expected timeframe and relevant organizational details
  
• Costs and transparency:
  A complete overview of the anticipated costs before treatment begins

The patient and the treating medical team decide on the next steps together, based on comprehensive medical information and an individualized assessment.

Precision Oncology Means Individual Decisions

Two patients with the same cancer diagnosis do not necessarily receive the same treatment strategy.

Differences in the molecular characteristics of the tumor, previous therapies, coexisting conditions, or overall health may require distinctly different approaches.

You can learn more about how these distinctions are made in our article, How Are Treatment Decisions Made in Precision Oncology?

Would You Like Your Medical Findings to Be Reviewed?

Every cancer is different. For this reason, each treatment plan begins with an individualized assessment of the patient’s medical records.

Relevant documents may include:

• current medical letters
• histology and pathology reports
• CT, MRI, or PET/CT reports
• laboratory results
• information about previous treatments
• existing molecular analyses, where available

During an initial consultation, the medical team explains which additional diagnostic steps may be appropriate and which treatment options could be considered in light of the available scientific evidence.