Top Nuclear Medicine Theranostics Teams in Germany

A cancer treatment track is often uneven and quite demanding today. It may lead to searching nuclear medicine units for either diagnostic purposes or a theranostic approach - targeted therapy options.^[1]

In nuclear medicine and theranostics, physicians use imaging to identify a specific molecular target and then treat it with a therapeutic radiopharmaceutical, a so-called radioligand therapy.^[2] This “see it, treat it” approach is changing theranostics for cancer, especially for prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, thyroid cancer, and beyond.^[3][4][5]

In this context, Germany has one of Europe’s most developed theranostic infrastructures. A nationwide survey estimated 154,400 PET scans in the country in 2021, of which 13% were already used theranostically.^[6] These details matter because outcomes in targeted radionuclide therapy depend on details: patient selection, tracer choice, radiopharmacy quality, dosimetry expertise, and coordinated care.^[1][7]

This ranking highlights cutting-edge nuclear medicine theranostics teams in Germany that combine strong diagnostics and therapy within a single, coordinated structure. Here we go beyond theranostics in cancer treatment, covering the positions not only in oncology but also for diagnostic purposes and other conditions where nuclear medicine is applied.

Leading Doctors & Hospitals

Here, we focus on structured data that identifies the best nuclear medicine theranostics teams in Germany. Explore what defines the leaders, positions, and key metrics.

What Makes the Mentioned Teams Leading

Below, we summarize the key factors to consider when selecting a nuclear medicine theranostics hospital in Germany. It's not just whether a center offers radioligand therapy, but how consistently and safely it delivers it at scale, including access routes, referral pathway design, and, where applicable, compassionate use options.

At this part, we use the analytic approach from the side of the whole centre rather than being limited to a single chief team leader. For each hospital, we present practical indicators to enable patients to compare teams side by side for diagnostic nuclear medicine or theranostic cancer treatment

University Hospital Heidelberg

University Hospital Heidelberg is a leading global center for theranostic innovation, notably serving as the birthplace of the modern PSMA and FAPI ligands, which have revolutionized theranostics for cancer.^[8] It operates one of the world's most sophisticated radiopharmaceutical facilities, enabling the rare clinical use of alpha-emitters, such as Actinium-225, for patients who have exhausted all conventional therapies.^[9] This includes select compassionate use access when clinically justified.

The clinic is defined by its deep integration with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), ensuring that patients receive the most advanced experimental protocols currently available in nuclear oncology.^[10][11]

It is worth mentioning that the facility is the world’s leading site for translational radiotheranostics, directly fueled by its historic role as the birthplace of PSMA-617 (the molecule that became the global standard for theranostics for prostate cancer in Germany).^[8]

• Case Volume. 750-900+ cycles per year.
• Therapy Portfolio. Lead center for alpha-therapy: Ac-225 PSMA, Lu-177 PSMA/DOTATOC, FAPI-therapy (pioneers), I-131 (thyroid).
• Active Clinical Trials. Global trial hub with a high focus on Phase I trials for novel FAP-inhibitors and TANDEM (Ac-225 + Lu-177) protocols.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) with integrated daily molecular tumor boards, direct linkage between radiochemistry and clinical application.
• Dosimetry Capability. Advanced 3D-Voxel uses automated Monte Carlo simulations to protect organs at risk (kidney, bone marrow), an essential feature for high-dose alpha-therapy.
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. On-site Cyclotron & radiopharmacy (GMP)-certified lab. It specializes in complex ligand synthesis (FAPI-series) and Ac-225 labeling.
• Safety Framework. High-level shielding for Alpha-emitters, real-time digital dose tracking for all medical personnel and patients.

University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich

University Hospital Rechts der Isar of the Technical University of Munich is internationally recognized for its leadership in personalized radioligand therapy and pioneering research into the CXCR4 receptor.^[12] The department excels in translational medicine, utilizing proprietary AI-driven patient-specific dosimetry to tailor radiation doses to the individual's unique biological response.^[13]

Its specialized "Theranostics Board" is a global benchmark for multidisciplinary decision-making, specifically designed to bridge the gap between complex imaging and targeted molecular therapy.^[12] In addition, the hospital is offering FAPI-targeted radioligand therapy to adults and children. Therefore, the doctors working here are highlighted among the best nuclear medicine theranostics teams in Germany.

• Case Volume. 450-500 therapy cases annually.
• Therapy Portfolio. Known for pioneering CXCR4-directed therapy. Lu-177 PSMA, Lu-177 DOTATATE, 177Lu PentixaTher (for myeloma/lymphoma), Ra-223, and FAPI therapy.
• Active Clinical Trials. Trials on CXCR4-targeted radioligands. Focus on personalized dosimetry and new PET tracers (e.g., 68Ga PentixaFor).
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. The theranostics board with specialized weekly sessions involving nuclear medicine, oncology, and medical physics.
• Dosimetry Capability. AI-Driven SPECT capacity with SPECT-based therapy planning. Pioneers of the "Munich Protocol" using AI-assisted segmentation for rapid, multi-time-point dosimetry.
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. Home to the production of PentixaFor and PentixaTher (CXCR4 ligands) under strict GMP quality control.
• Safety Framework. Medical physics integration complex. 24/7 on-site medical physics experts for therapy verification and incident prevention.

Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch

Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch operates as a high-performance clinical hub that bridges the gap between academic research and large-scale patient care, particularly for those seeking immediate access to standardized Lutetium-177 treatments without the lengthy university waiting lists, with a streamlined referral pathway.

The facility is renowned for its specialized focus on neuroendocrine tumors and for providing high-activity radionuclide therapies in a setting optimized for international patient logistics and comfort.^[14] Doctors of Helios Hospital in Berlin are renowned among international patients and are proudly listed among the top nuclear medicine theranostics teams in Germany.

• Case Volume. 500 – 600 cycles each year. One of Europe's largest non-university departments of nuclear medicine and theranostics.
• Therapy Portfolio. Lu-177 PSMA/DOTATOC, Re-188 for skin cancer theranostics, FAPI treatment, Xofigo, MIBG therapy.
• Active Clinical Trials. Participation in Phase III international trials (e.g., PSMAddition, Netter-2); focus on ADC combinations.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Direct coordination with the Helios Oncology Network. Has weekly interdisciplinary organ-specific boards.
• Dosimetry Capability. 3D-dosimetry based on HERMES or similar platforms, and focus on clinical throughput and safety.
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. Regional supplier of Ga-68 PSMA-11 and other 68Ga-tracers. Focuses on established therapeutic isotopes (Lu-177) with high purity.
• Safety Framework. Euratom-compliant facility. Strictly follows the EU Basic Safety Standards. Has large-scale waste management for high patient turnover.

University Hospital Essen

University Hospital Essen is defined by its role in the West German Cancer Center, where it leads the transition toward "Super-Lutetium" treatments using Terbium-161 to deliver more localized energy to micrometastases.^[15][16]

Its ranking is based on its advanced research into radiometabolic resistance, helping clinicians understand why certain tumors stop responding to radiation and how to re-sensitize them through combination protocols.^[17] The clinic’s contributions are shaping future directions in theranostics for cancer, translating insights into radiometabolic resistance into more effective combination protocols.^[18]

• Case Volume. 500-700 cycles each year.
• Therapy Portfolio. Focus on peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) and radio-ligand therapy (RLT). Lu-177 PSMA, Lu-177 DOTATATE, 177Lu FAPI-46. Significant thyroid cancer volume.
• Active Clinical Trials. Leading research in Terbium-161 and combinations of RLT with checkpoint inhibitors (immunotherapy).
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Strong role in the West German Cancer Center’s Molecular Tumor Board for rare tumors.
• Dosimetry Capability. Precision multi-isotope approach. Specialized in dosimetry for novel isotopes like Terbium-161, accounting for Auger-electron energy deposition.
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. Focus on combining radiopharmaceuticals with immunotherapy. Has local production of specialized ligands.
• Safety Framework. Integrated safety protocols within the West German Cancer Center. Apply rigorous staff extremity dose monitoring.

University Hospital Saarland Homburg

University Hospital Saarland Homburg has established a world-class reputation in molecular radiotherapy under globally recognized leadership, particularly in the treatment of advanced prostate and neuroendocrine cancers.^[19][20][21] Theranostics in nuclear medicine is a core strength of the program.

The clinic is highly regarded for its meticulous clinical documentation and contribution to national therapy registries, ensuring that every treatment is backed by robust data.^[22][23] It offers a comprehensive spectrum of nuclear medicine, balancing cutting-edge radioligand therapy with high-precision diagnostic imaging across the entire southwest region of Germany.^[19]

• Case Volume. 350 – 450 cycles annually.
• Therapy Portfolio. Heavy focus on Lu-177 PSMA and standard PRRT. Specialized in Radio-synoviorthesis (RSO) for joints.
• Active Clinical Trials. High recruitment for multicenter registries (e.g., REALITY registry) clinical trials in theranostics and national DKG-certified studies.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Integrated into the University Cancer Center (UCCS) with regular urology-endocrine boards.
• Dosimetry Capability. Patient-specific kidney dosimetry for PRRT and PSMA therapy using multi-cycle SPECT/CT.
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. Regional GMP radiopharmacy lab. Reliable production of Lu-177 and 68Ga ligands. Serves as a reference site for regional quality assurance.
• Safety Framework. Maintains all German Cancer Society (DKG) safety markers for certified organ-specific oncology centers.

University Hospital Ludwig-Maximilians Munich

University Hospital LMU Munich is one of the largest and most technically advanced theranostics nuclear medicine centers in Europe, offering the full spectrum of alpha, beta, and auger-electron therapies.^[24][25] The hospital is a leader in "Tandem Therapy," which uses multiple isotopes simultaneously to maximize tumor destruction while protecting healthy organs.^[26]

With its massive trial portfolio and dedicated theranostics coordinators, LMU Munich provides a level of scale and academic depth that allows it to manage the highest volume of complex radiopharmaceutical cases in the country.^[27]

• Case Volume. 800-1,000+ cycles each year.
• Therapy Portfolio. Comprehensive full-spectrum range. Largest I-131 unit, Lu-177 PSMA, Ac-225 alpha-emitters, 161Tb, Copper-64/67, and MIBG.
• Active Clinical Trials. Comprehensive trial portfolio from Phase I to III. Focus on neo-adjuvant RLT (before surgery) in prostate cancer theranostics and Copper-64/67 pairs.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Features a dedicated "Theranostics Coordinator" to bridge the gap between diagnosis and immediate therapy.
• Dosimetry Capability. Full-spectrum dosimetry. World-leading unit for TANDEM dosimetry (calculating combined doses from alpha + beta emitters).
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. Public-Private Partnership (AAA/Novartis) for large-scale GMP radiopharmacy production. On-site Cyclotron for short-lived isotopes.
• Safety Framework. High-capacity, shielded ward with automated radiation monitoring and specialized effluent-decay tanks.

DKD Helios Clinic Wiesbaden

DKD Helios Clinic Wiesbaden maintains a specialized status as a "Diagnostic Supreme Center" where nuclear medicine is used as a forensic tool to solve complex oncological cases.^[29]

The hospital integrates the specialized Curanosticum center, an interdisciplinary hub that blends high-end nuclear theranostics with a "Mayo Clinic" diagnostic philosophy.^[28] As part of this structure, the clinic focuses on clarifying complex diagnostic puzzles and providing targeted theranostic therapies for patients with advanced metastatic disease. It serves as a premier boutique center where forensic diagnostic work meets a tailored, patient-centric approach to molecular therapy.^[29]

• Case Volume. 200 therapy cycles.
• Therapy Portfolio. High-end PET/CT diagnostics (Ga-68 PSMA-11, F-18 PSMA-1007, 18F-DOPA); Targeted I-131 and Lu-177 for NETs, enabling PET-based theranostics decision-making.
• Active Clinical Trials. Observational studies on diagnostic accuracy and "Second Opinion" verification using PET/CT.
• Multidisciplinary Tumor Board. Multidisciplinary discussion focused on clarifying complex "Cancer of Unknown Primary" cases.
• Dosimetry Capability. Primarily focuses on diagnostic dosimetry (calculating effective dose from PET/CT scans).
• Radiopharmacy Production Details. On-site generator-based production (68Ga). Therapeutic isotopes are typically sourced via the Helios network.
• Safety Framework. High-tier private hospital safety standards. Focus on low-exposure diagnostic protocols (ALARA).

Ranking Methodology

To build an unbiased ranking for departments of nuclear medicine and theranostics in Germany, Airomedical applies a multi-factor model that blends objective performance data with trusted user signals and expert checks. Each doctor’s final position is a composite, normalized score calculated from the five core factors and additional minor metrics below. We routinely refresh, adjust, and apply safeguards to ensure data completeness and prevent gaming.

Doctors cannot pay to influence placement. Sponsored content, if any, is clearly labeled and kept separate from scoring. For full definitions, data sources, and factor-level math, consult the corresponding Help Centre pages.

Physicians must have a verifiable identity and provide a minimum of sufficient data to be ranked. We reprocess inputs on a rolling basis and re-run the model when material updates occur (e.g., new performance data, outcomes releases, or personal achievements).

All factors are placed on comparable scales and weighted to determine a general doctor rating—emphasizing patient-important outcomes, safety, and validated care quality, while also reflecting access, transparency, and user experience. Ties are broken in the order of clinical outcomes, then safety, and finally, access. When data are incomplete, we apply conservative estimates or omit that metric to avoid unfair bias; missing data never improves a doctor’s rank.

Core Metrics

Below is a brief overview of the core metrics that drive our rankings: AiroScore, UserScore, Personal Performance, External Rating Signals, and Editorial Verification. This section summarizes what each captures and how it fits into the composite score; it’s intentionally high-level. Technical deep-dives for each factor are available in our Help Centre.

Integrated AiroScore

AiroScore is our unified metric that combines verified doctor profile data, such as accreditation, scope of services, clinician strength and academic activity, offerings, service quality, profile completeness, and freshness, with aggregated user-behavior signals to create a single, comparable score. It is worth noting that UserScore (below) is one of AiroScore’s sub-components; however, AiroScore also captures broader professional characteristics and achievements. Inputs are standardized to comparable scales, weighted by demonstrated impact on outcomes and patient decision-making, then aggregated into a single score.

Experience Quality via UserScore

UserScore evaluates the credibility and substance of user feedback - not just star averages. Each review is assigned a TrustScore based on the integrity of its source, reviewer signals, and the quality of its content. We also model credibility over time (periodicity and history), reviewer diversity, case complexity, review volume and recency, and textual specificity (e.g., mentions of specific nuclear medicine procedures and outcomes). The result is a robust user-experience measure that resists outliers and fake or low-information reviews.

Personal Performance

This factor summarizes a personal doctor’s performance and volume, as reported by trusted statistical sources. It spans outcomes and patient safety, experience and access, personal offerings, education and innovation, technology/data compliance, and key specialty process checks. Metrics are normalized and, where relevant, case-mix adjusted, then rolled into a single doctor-performance subscore.

External Rating Signals

We incorporate calibrated signals from reputable third-party rankings to improve coverage and triangulate areas our model may not directly observe. External inputs are de-duplicated, mapped to standard definitions, down-weighted if methodologies overlap with ours, and time-decayed so that fresher, high-quality signals exert more influence. This adds breadth without letting any single external list dominate.

Editorial Verification

Before publication, our editorial team conducts manual checks to verify identities, resolve data discrepancies, confirm unusual values, and review borderline rank changes. Editors verify critical details (e.g., accreditations, performance data) and approve the final list to minimize technical errors. Human oversight remains an essential safeguard.

Additional Factors

To ensure the list reflects only nuclear medicine theranostics teams in Germany, we also review each skill and expertise within the Airomedical tag-based system. This does not reward or penalize the doctors themselves; it helps avoid overconcentration and ensures the final selection serves the varied needs of patients.

FAQ

References

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