DGAP-News: Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG / Key word(s): 
Study results/Miscellaneous 
Eckert & Ziegler: Seed Implantation for Prostate Cancer Receives 
Reimbursement for Outpatient Care 
 
2021-01-12 / 09:48 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
 
Berlin, 12 January 2021. Seed implantation for prostate cancer is now to be 
reimbursed as an outpatient treatment by public health insurances in 
Germany. This was decided by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) with effect 
from January 8, 2021. 
 
Seed implantation or so called LDR brachytherapy is an organ-preserving, 
minimally invasive radiation procedure. In this procedure, millimeter-sized, 
low-level radioactive titanium tubes are inserted into the prostate while 
protecting the surrounding tissue. Compared to other treatment options, such 
as removal of the prostate or external radiation therapy, brachytherapy has 
a different side effect profile that is often more beneficial for the 
patient. 
 
"We are pleased that the treatment costs of seed brachytherapy for prostate 
cancer are now to be covered by the public health insurance funds, both on 
an inpatient and outpatient basis," explains Dr. Harald Hasselmann, member 
of the Executive Board of Eckert & Ziegler AG and responsible for the 
Medical segment. "In its summary assessment, the G-BA recognizes the benefit 
of the method as sufficiently proven and its medical necessity as given." 
 
"As a result of the consideration of benefit and medical necessity, 
brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer can achieve a PSA-based 
recurrence-free survival comparable to other curative therapies (radical 
prostatectomy, percutaneous radiotherapy). The side effect profile of LDR 
brachytherapy shows advantages in terms of preservation of continence and 
sexual function as well as bowel function," summarizes the G-BA in its 
overall assessment of interstitial brachytherapy for localized prostate 
cancer with a low risk profile. 
 
There are approximately 473,000 new cases of prostate cancer in Europe each 
year (Globocan, 2020). In Germany, inpatient seed brachytherapy has been 
included in the reimbursement catalog of health insurance companies since 
2004. Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG is the European market leader for seeds and 
produces them at its Berlin site. 
 
*About Eckert & Ziegler. * 
Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG with more than 800 
employees, is one of the world's largest providers of isotope-related 
components for radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. Eckert & Ziegler 
shares (ISIN DE0005659700) are listed in the TecDAX index of Deutsche Börse. 
*Contributing to saving lives.* 
 
Contact: 
Eckert & Ziegler AG, Karolin Riehle, Investor Relations 
Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, 13125 Berlin 
Tel.: +49 (0) 30 / 94 10 84-138, karolin.riehle@ezag.de, www.ezag.com [1] 
 
2021-01-12 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a 
service of EQS Group AG. 
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. 
 
The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, 
Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. 
Archive at www.dgap.de 
Language:    English 
Company:     Eckert & Ziegler Strahlen- und Medizintechnik AG 
             Robert-Rössle-Str.10 
             13125 Berlin 
             Germany 
Phone:       +49 30 941084-138 
Fax:         +49 30 941084-112 
E-mail:      karolin.riehle@ezag.de 
Internet:    www.ezag.de 
ISIN:        DE0005659700 
WKN:         565970 
Indices:     SDAX 
Listed:      Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated 
             Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, 
             Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange 
EQS News ID: 1159971 
 
End of News DGAP News Service 
 
1159971 2021-01-12 
 
 
1: https://eqs-cockpit.com/cgi-bin/fncls.ssp?fn=redirect&url=f8525ca55295fb1907527afac25224be&application_id=1159971&site_id=vwd&application_name=news

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 12, 2021 03:48 ET (08:48 GMT)