Leading a New Era in Private Radiotherapy

At Amethyst Radiotherapy Austria, we believe every patient deserves not just precise and effective cancer treatment — but one that is delivered without delay, with compassion, and with respect for individual needs.

This commitment was recently highlighted in TREND Magazine, where Dr David Kuczer, Radiation Oncologist at our Vienna clinic, spoke about the power of private radiotherapy to transform lives.

“Every Day Matters” – Speed Can Save Lives

In the article, Dr Kuczer shared a compelling example of an elderly woman diagnosed with advanced brain metastases who contacted the clinic on Thursday. By Friday, her scans had been reviewed and a personalised treatment plan was ready. She began hippocampus-sparing radiotherapy the following Monday — a technique that helps preserve memory while treating the brain.

Dr Kuczer emphasised the urgency of the case, explaining that the metastases were dangerously close to blocking fluid flow in the brain: “A delay could have been fatal,” he said, underscoring his philosophy that “every day matters.”

What Sets Amethyst Austria Apart?

In the article, Dr Kuczer highlighted the following unique characteristics that set Amethyst Austria apart:

• Fast and personalised treatment: Dr Kuczer shares a case of a patient who received a full treatment plan and began hippocampus-sparing radiotherapy within four days of diagnosis.
• Access to cutting-edge technology: The centre is equipped with the Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator, enabling highly targeted therapy supported by advanced imaging.
• Multidisciplinary tumour board: All cases are discussed by a panel of specialists to ensure optimal, collaborative decision-making.
• Equity in private care: While Austria’s statutory insurance does not currently cover private radiotherapy, Dr Kuczer notes that affordability is a priority, with flexible options offered in hardship cases and referrals to public hospitals where appropriate.
• Challenges in public healthcare: Reflecting on his previous hospital roles, Dr Kuczer outlines the systemic strains facing the public sector — including staffing shortages and administrative barriers — which ultimately influenced his move to fully private practice.

Why Dr Kuczer Chose Private Practice

Having trained at Charité Berlin and worked in Austria’s public healthcare system, Dr Kuczer witnessed the increasing pressure: understaffing, treatment delays, and growing patient frustration. He transitioned into private care to offer something different.

“I wanted to build a place where people are treated not just for their disease — but as whole human beings. With urgency, dignity, and care.”

This vision is now embedded in the day-to-day practice at Amethyst Austria — where clinical precision is matched by speed, empathy, and a deeply personal approach to every case. Patients are no longer left waiting in fear; instead, they are met with timely action and a team that sees them as more than just a diagnosis.

📖 Read the full article in the May 2025 issue of TREND Magazine HERE.

At Amethyst Austria, we combine speed, precision, and compassion to deliver the highest standard of cancer care — without the wait. Contact us today to learn more or book a consultation.

Amethyst Austria radiation oncology specialist Dr David Kuczer has given an interview to Zena, one of the leading news platforms in Serbia, discussing the role that radiotherapy has to play in the treatment of breast cancer.

He explained to the news source that individual treatment concepts are designed to suit each patient, based on the most up-to-date and innovative knowledge to ensure that optimal results are delivered, both in terms of medical and aesthetic outcomes.

Within Amethyst Austria’s Department of Tumours, the interdisciplinary team works together to devise individual approaches to patient care, with Dr Kuczer noting that from his perspective, it’s particularly important to spend time with patients as well as exchanging opinions with colleagues and discussing the various treatment options available case by case.

Approximately 50 per cent of all cancer patients will undergo radiotherapy, which involves directing high doses of radiation to tumours so that diseased cell DNA is damaged sufficiently to prevent multiplication. The tumour cells then die and are broken down by the body.

This kind of therapy means that tissue affected by the tumour can be removed, which protects the entire breast and prevents complete removal. Furthermore, the treatment works to eliminate microscopic tumour remnants to prevent recurrence.

Dr Kuczer continued, saying: “Thanks to modern technology, the therapy has been reduced from about 30 treatments during six weeks to five to 20 treatments over the course of one to four weeks, depending on the individual case. The sessions last ten minutes and are performed on an outpatient basis.”

Given that cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, causing almost ten million fatalities each year, it’s evident that more effective treatment methods are necessary.

At Amethyst Austria, we pioneer innovative ways of working to kill and eliminate malignant tumour cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. If you’d like to find out more, get in touch with the team today.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prominent gender-specific cancers, but, in common with other forms of cancer, early diagnosis can make a major difference to the prognosis for patients.

Not only does it make the chances of survival greater, especially because early intervention can stop secondary cancer arising, but it also means the course of treatment is likely to be shorter and less gruelling than with a later diagnosis.

Prostate cancer can come in different categories, such as localised, locally advanced, metastatic castration-sensitive, recurrent and castration-resistant. However, what these categories have in common is that radiotherapy can be used to treat each of them, whereas other treatments may be used for some categories and not others.

Our radiotherapy centre can treat each of these, enabling you to get the right kind of medical care in each situation.

New Test May Improve Prostate Cancer Detection

A major concern in the medical profession has been the general reluctance of men to seek medical attention and help when they perceive they may have a health problem, ignoring symptoms that may be used to make an early diagnosis.

However, a new development in prostate cancer diagnostics may go some way to resolving this issue for this particular disease.

A new test, developed in the UK, is a simple saliva-based method of detecting signs of prostate cancer. Rather than men having to visit a doctor and get a blood test – something trypanophobic patients will be reluctant to do – the test can be completed at home. The user just has to spit in a tube and post it off to a laboratory to be tested.

Making a test that patients are more willing to use and can access without a visit to clinical premises can have the benefit of increasing the number of men taking it.

However, even this may be less advantageous than the finding of one study that the spit test is more effective than a blood test in detecting more aggressive cancers while at the same time recording fewer false positives.

Further studies are required to ensure it is effective across different racial groups, which is important because prostate cancer rates are highest among black men and higher among South Asian men than white Europeans. This makes it particularly important that the test works effectively among ethnic groups at higher risk.

European Variations In Outcomes

Nonetheless, if it is successful, it will be likely that this test is used across Europe and beyond, helping improve diagnosis and patient outcomes, with lower mortality as a result.

Here in Austria, the population is mostly white, but while the ethnic composition may differ in some other countries across Europe, this alone does not account for the wide diversity of outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

A Europe-wide study covering the period from 1980 to 2017 across 26 European countries, of which 19 were (or are) in the EU, highlighted some notable disparities, especially in detection rates.

While most countries saw a clear increase in the numbers detected over the period, others saw a rise and then a decrease (France and Italy) or fluctuations between rising and falling rates, Austria being an instance of the latter trend.

However, these variations may have a high correlation with detection rates, with the number of men getting tested varying, along with public health promotion of testing. Only one country, Lithuania, has had a national screening programme.

Survival rates varied, with trends being broadly flat, although some worsened over time. However, overall, the situation did improve, demonstrating the effectiveness of improved diagnosis and treatment, including radiotherapy. Austria is one country with a significantly improved survival rate.

Other comparative data includes EU statistics from 2022 indicating a wide disparity of outcomes, with a mortality rate of 38.6 per 100,000 overall across the EU, varying widely between 80.4 in Estonia and 25.7 in Italy.

Latvia had the second highest mortality rate at 76.1, which may indicate a particular problem in the Baltic region and justify the decision to institute a national screening programme in Lithuania.

Our Focus On Individual Patients

Comparative data across different countries can be informative about national trends, but for individuals who have had a prostate cancer diagnosis and are seeking private treatment for it, their situation is the most important area of consideration.

Not only does this mean that the diagnosis may uncover a different severity or type of prostate cancer or detect it at a different stage of development, but, as with any cancer patient, factors such as age, overall health and genetics can play a role in determining the best course of treatment.

Therefore, while early detection remains a crucial factor in improving the prospects for patients, no two patients are the same. That is why our radiotherapy oncologists will work with you in creating the best treatment plan for you.

Anyone suffering from brain tumours, be they benign or malignant, will seek the best medical care possible to provide relief from symptoms or even a solution that fully resolves the issue. However, the care that is needed depends on a range of different factors.

The most important factor is whether a tumour is benign or malignant, the first type being non-cancerous and the second cancerous. A second issue is the location of the tumour, which can determine what impact it has and also what treatment options are available. A third issue is the type of tumour, some being more aggressive and fast-growing than others.

However, one of the most significant differences is between primary and secondary tumours. Understanding the difference between these is important for patients to stay informed about their treatment options at our radiotherapy centre, as there is a clear distinction between the two categories.

The Key Difference

With brain tumours, a primary tumour is one that starts in the brain, whereas a secondary tumour is one that has started elsewhere in the body, but has then spread to the brain.

In the first case, a primary tumour will usually originate in an area called the cerebrum, but it can occur in any part of the brain or spinal cord, with the pituitary glands and the meninges (the outer tissues that protect the brain) also being where tumours frequently arise.

Tumours that start in the meninges, called meningiomas, are the most likely to be benign, but there are many other kinds of benign brain tumours. Some of the most aggressive malignant tumours come from the spinal cord or nearby areas of the brain, such as glioblastomas, which arise in star-shaped cells called astrocytes.

Secondary brain cancer is made up of the same cells as the kind of cancer that it starts as. This can include common cancers such as skin (melanoma), lung, breast, kidney or colorectal cancer. This means that, unlike some primary brain tumours, these are never benign.

These distinctions make a major difference to the kinds of treatment you may receive and the options open to you and your oncologists.

Treating Primary Tumours

In the first instance, because some primary tumours are benign, there may be means of treating them that enable the tumour to be managed without full excision or extensive radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In some cases, patients are asymptomatic. For example, many schwannomas do not produce symptoms, although others can cause hearing loss.

However, in most cases, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy – or a combination of different treatments – may be required. In some cases this can remove a tumour that may turn cancerous later on, while it can also help tackle benign tumours that can cause other problems by placing pressure on the brain.

If the tumour is cancerous, early diagnosis is very important, as is beginning treatment as soon as possible. Whether it can be removed or reduced with surgery can depend on its location in the brain, while stereotactic surgery, which focuses an intense beam of radiation, can be the best option for some tumours that are otherwise hard to reach.

Diagnosing Secondary Tumours

In the case of secondary cancers, the great likelihood is that the cancer will have been diagnosed and be undergoing treatment before the point at which any secondary tumour arises in the brain, although there are some instances where the secondary cancer in the brain is detected first.

In the case of any cancer, one of the main factors that determine the outlook for patients is whether metastasis (the cancer spreading) takes place.

Examples of this would include instances of breast cancer where a mastectomy has been carried out. In some instances, this removes all cancer as metastasis has not occurred, but in other cases, it will have spread to other parts of the body, which could include the brain.

In some cases, signs of secondary cancer may arise from common symptoms associated with brain tumours, such as nausea, weakness on one side of the body, speech problems or impaired eyesight. In other cases, they may be asymptomatic.

Treating Secondary Tumours

Should a secondary brain tumour arise, the treatment methods will include the same range available for primary tumours, including surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The one difference is these may be provided in combination with ongoing treatment for the primary cancer.

Whether a brain tumour is primary or secondary, there are many treatment options. With the help of our skilled team of oncologists, we can help you establish the best means of treatment to provide you with symptomatic relief and seek the best possible outcomes.

Cancer treatment is a process with many steps before, during and after visiting the radiotherapy centre, and specialist cancer doctors and nurses will take a holistic, conscientious approach during the entire duration of the journey.

Every cancer diagnosis and treatment is different, which means that there will be aspects of one person’s cancer journey that will be different from someone else’s. This means different types of treatment and different challenges before, during and after.

As both physical and mental health can have an effect on treatment according to at least one study, a key part of treatment is remaining positive, active and motivated with help from yourcare team and support network.

Whilst every cancer journey is unique, here are some examples of small, simple steps you can take to help reduce mental and physical stress whilst undergoing cancer treatment.

Seek Help Through Your Support Network

You never have to face cancer alone, and there are so many people in your life, in your care team, or who are or have been in a similar position to you who will help you with anything you need.

A problem shared is also halved, and soon after a diagnosis, a helpful step is to identify who you want to be part of your social network and what you might need whilst going through treatment.

Friends, family, coworkers and loved ones will be there for you to go to your regular appointments, help with errands during days when cancer fatigue means you have less energythan you would otherwise and be a sympathetic ear.

Your care team will also be there for you to provide advice and information regarding aspects of the treatment and taking care of yourself throughout your cancer journey.

Finally, there are support groups that are often available in your local community which can bring you closer to people who are being treated for cancer as well, which can provide an opportunity to discuss aspects of treatment and make new friends in the process.

Similarly, a professional therapist or counsellor can also help by providing a safe, judgement-free place to process everything, as well as provide a toolkit of techniques to help you manage the more difficult parts of treatment.

Eat A Nutrient-Dense Diet

A balanced diet is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, but it is especially important during cancer treatment, where maintaining energy levels and boosting strength is exceptionally important.

As every cancer treatment is unique, so too are everyone’s dietary needs during treatment. You will be offered a nutritionist who can devise a personalised nutrition plan that suits your needs best based on the overall treatment plan, the expected effects of treatment and any personal dietary needs.

In general, any recommended diet for a healthy lifestyle that could reduce the risk of health complications is generally going to be beneficial when going through cancer treatment, and many doctors will use the basic principles of the Mediterranean diet as a template for advice.

Focusing on eating less processed meat, more lean protein, more fruits and vegetables as well as healthy fats such as nuts, seeds and olive oil can provide some benefits. Nutrient-rich smoothies and soups can be helpful as they are often easier to digest.

As with any dietary change, ask your cancer team if you have any questions or would like any further recommendations.

Stay Active

Exercising is not only possible during most types of cancer treatments but it can provide significant mental and physical benefits.

Any extra exercise you do will provide significant benefits according to research compiled by Cancer Research UK, including improving your mood, giving you more energy and helping you stay mobile.

Everyone has different fitness goals and needs, so focus on what you can do and listen to your body. There are different types of exercise to suit every person, and a physiotherapist will often be a part of your cancer team to help you find a routine that works for you and that you can maintain.

Give Yourself Time And Space

In a particularly hectic world, the time we take to stop, breathe and relax is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle for both psychological and physiological reasons.

Deep breathing, meditation and yoga help slow the heart rate, control breathing and help people to feel more at ease, something that can be essential during particularly stressful situations.

Mindfulness practices, such as breathing exercises, meditation and journaling can help people during cancer treatment by providing a way to reduce or relieve stress gradually over time.