Prof. Dr. Jürgen Debus

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Debus is the Chairman of Radiation Oncology at Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Director of the Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Centre (HIT) — the world's first hospital-based facility to treat patients with carbon ion beams. He is globally regarded as a pioneer in particle radiotherapy and one of the most influential radiation oncologists of his generation. Over 30 years, Prof. Debus has positioned Heidelberg as the world centre of excellence for proton and carbon ion therapy, treating tumours that cannot be operated upon or are radioresistant to conventional X-ray therapy. He simultaneously directs a world-class translational research programme at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). His philosophy is to bring the most precise and biologically effective radiation treatment to each patient — choosing the modality, dose, and fractionation schedule that maximises tumour control while protecting surrounding healthy tissues.

Prof. Debus completed his medical degree (MD) in Germany followed by specialist training in radiation oncology at leading German cancer centres. He earned his doctorate (PhD) in radiation biology or a related oncology discipline, followed by Habilitation — the German higher academic qualification required for full professorship. He was appointed Professor of Radiation Oncology at Heidelberg University, one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious research universities. He holds specialist board certification (Facharzt) in radiation therapy (Strahlentherapie) in Germany and has completed advanced training in stereotactic techniques, particle physics, and treatment planning.

Prof. Debus has unparalleled clinical expertise in particle beam radiotherapy — proton therapy and heavy ion (carbon ion) therapy. Carbon ion therapy offers the highest precision and greatest biological effectiveness of any radiation modality, with a sharp Bragg peak that deposits maximum dose at the tumour and minimal dose beyond. This makes it the treatment of choice for radioresistant tumours — particularly skull base chordomas and chondrosarcomas, head and neck adenoid cystic carcinomas, and certain paediatric CNS tumours. His team also delivers proton therapy, IMRT/IGRT with photons, stereotactic radiosurgery, SBRT, and brachytherapy. HIT has treated thousands of patients from Europe and worldwide, including many international referrals from countries lacking particle therapy facilities.

The Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Centre (HIT) is one of only a handful of facilities in the world offering carbon ion therapy. Patients from across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia travel to Heidelberg specifically for this treatment. Prof. Debus's team has extensive experience with international patients and provides treatment in both German and English. Heidelberg is accessible via Frankfurt Airport (1 hour by train) or Stuttgart Airport. HIT has a dedicated international patient coordination service that organises pre-treatment planning consultations (including remote case review of imaging and pathology), treatment scheduling, and accommodation assistance. A video consultation for initial case assessment is available for patients travelling from abroad.

Prof. Debus is a Member of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina — Germany's most prestigious scientific honours. He has received the DEGRO Award (German Society for Radiation Oncology), the ESTRO Award for Research, and honorary doctorates from international universities. He has authored over 600 peer-reviewed publications in journals including the Lancet Oncology, International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, and Radiotherapy and Oncology. He has received continuous DFG (German Research Foundation) and EU Horizon research funding. He serves on the advisory boards of major radiation oncology journals and has been President of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO).