Cancer today is not a sentence, but it can only be defeated with the help of complex treatment methods that require the highest qualifications of doctors. Cancer treatment in Germany assumes the most accurate diagnosis and adequate therapy regimen, the latest equipment, modern methods and treatment protocols.
Why medicine in Germany is considered one of the best in the world
Germany is a recognized world leader in the fight against cancer. Evidence in favor of this opinion is the fact that people from all over the world, and even residents of Israel - a country in which medical tourism flourishes - come for treatment to German oncologists.
There are many reasons for such popularity of medical centers in Germany:
- German universities are distinguished by high-quality teaching and careful preparation of medical students for work in clinics, and hospitals only recruit the best graduates who have successfully completed their internship. Doctors regularly improve their qualifications and participate in scientific projects.
- Doctors in German clinics are renowned for their ethical treatment of patients. During the course of treatment, the patient is looked after by an attentive medical staff. The duties of a rehabilitator are also taken seriously here, therefore, after a long and complex therapy, the patient is under the supervision of doctors for a long time, recuperates and strengthens his health.
- Clinics in Germany are excellently equipped, the latest technologies are applied here as soon as they are clinically proven to be effective.
- It is in Germany that the largest number of scientific research in the field of medicine is carried out, a significant share of which is the study of oncological diseases.
- In no other country are clinics, medical universities and research centers funded at the same level as in Germany. The legislation here establishes huge deductions from the state budget. The total cost of all medical centers for cancer treatment is 35 billion euros per year - this is the highest figure among the countries of the European Union. German giant companies (SIEMENS, BOSCH, Bayern, Hexal, Ratiopharm, Novartis, Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Stada, etc.) are also competing for leadership in cancer treatment and are actively investing in research.
- Cancer detection methods in German clinics are constantly being improved.
- Each stage of cancer treatment in any location in Germany meets international standards. No step will be taken spontaneously or chaotically.
- In Germany, there is no centralization of medicine - even if the clinic is located in a small provincial town, the patient can be sure that he will be provided with highly qualified care.
The effectiveness of cancer treatment methods used in German clinics and the professionalism of oncologists are annually confirmed by hundreds of cases of patient cure and the results of world research in the field of medicine. Already today, we can say that the largest number of cancer patients who have reached the threshold of five-year survival were undergoing treatment in Germany. You can find out more about how the work of German clinics is organized from our detailed review “Medicine in Germany”.
What factors trigger the onset of cancer
Cancer is a malignant neoplasm (tumor) that can develop from cells in the body's epithelial tissues. This disease is distinguished by a variety of forms and variants of the course. No one is immune from oncological diseases - all people are susceptible to pathology, regardless of gender and age.
The tumor grows in size over time, affects healthy cells, provokes the formation of metastases (spreads throughout the body) and produces toxins.
Causes of oncological diseases
Mutations in healthy cells arise for various reasons - heredity and errors in DNA division, spontaneous or due to the influence of any negative factors, may be the culprit. At the moment, the results of scientific research indicate that cancer can be triggered by:
- Carcinogens. Exposure to the body's chemical carcinogens causes cancer or increases the likelihood of developing one. In the modern world, a person is increasingly in contact with such substances. Some of them are direct mutagens that directly cause DNA damage (these include components of tobacco smoke, asbestos), others affect the body indirectly (for example, alcohol), creating conditions in which defense mechanisms cannot cope with their task.
- Ionizing radiation exposure. Radiation causes cell lipid peroxidation and gene mutations. X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation that is a physical carcinogen. It has also been proven that the likelihood of developing melanoma (skin cancer) directly depends on the intensity of ultraviolet radiation that a person receives. For this reason, pilots and crew members of aircraft are more likely to be diagnosed with this cancer (according to a statistical study conducted in 2008 in the UK).
- Improper nutrition, diet. The foods we eat may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Proof of this is the identification of a certain type of cancer in residents of one country. At the same time, the hypothesis of a hereditary predisposition can be excluded, since it was found that in emigrants, during the first generation, the risks of morbidity become equal to the risks of residents of the new country of residence.
- Overweight. Cancer Research UK has published data on the relationship between excess weight in women and cancer. According to the results of the study, a body mass index of more than 30% increases the risk of certain types of cancer by 40%.
- Viruses. Currently, there is information that at least 15% of the total number of cancer cases are associated with exposure to viruses (for example, hepatitis B or C viruses, which provoke the development of liver cancer, as well as the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer uterus). This is due to the fact that some types of viruses (for example, the Epstein-Barr virus) have the ability to integrate into genetic material and change it.
- Hereditary mutations (genetic failures). Scientific researchers have evidence of a hereditary predisposition to some types of cancer. For example, mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, according to statistics, increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
- The influence of other predisposing factors, such as a violation of hormonal regulation, an immunodeficiency state, etc.
The mechanism of development of cancer
Cancer is based on a failure in the regulation of tissue growth. The cells of the human body are constantly growing and dividing to replace old and damaged cells, while an error is not excluded, which is detected and corrected by defense mechanisms. That is, if the immune system is working properly, it destroys tumor cells already at the moment of their formation.
But if a person was under the influence of the unfavorable factors mentioned above, or he received physical, thermal or other kind of injury, as well as if the body or its individual systems were weakened due to illness, the mechanisms for preventing and correcting errors fail. And then uncontrolled growth and division of altered cells that are not destroyed in time begins and a malignant tumor is formed.
Its main characteristic differences from a benign neoplasm are:
- progressive growth (division of altered cells occurs faster than reproduction of healthy ones);
- the ability to metastasize (the cells of the primary tumor are transferred through the body with the flow of blood and lymph, after which they settle on the tissues and give rise to the growth of secondary tumors - metastasis);
- germination into healthy tissues (with the growth of the tumor, nearby tissues are gradually destroyed);
- the production of toxins (an altered metabolism acts in cancer cells, as a result of which poisons are produced that enter the systemic circulation and cause depletion of the body);
- interception of nutrients (malignant neoplasm secretes substances that can increase the volume of blood flow in the tumor, which leads to depletion of the patient's body).
Why cancer is difficult to treat
Cancer can be diagnosed in a person of any age, but the risk of cancer increases over time. More than 64% of malignant tumors develop in elderly people over 65 years of age. At this age, it is difficult to fight the disease, and chemotherapy is difficult to tolerate.
Moreover, errors in cell division and renewal lead to the fact that a similar harmful mechanism is triggered in neighboring cells that were healthy until that moment. As an example, consider a mutation in the signaling system of a cell - it is able to force the cell to release substances that induce nearby cells to also trigger the same “error”.
It is for this reason that it is difficult to cure cancer. It would seem that the destruction of millions of tumor cells can be considered a victory, but a few surviving cancer cells will continue to divide and send erroneous signals to neighboring cells, which will restart the malignant process.
Modern research has made it possible to detect the regular occurrence of cancer cells in the body of each person and their death and disappearance under the influence of the antitumor immunity system.
If cancer is detected in time and measures are taken to destroy malignant cells that the body's protective functions have not coped with, cancer can be cured.
Classification of types of cancerous tumors
Malignant tumors have their own classification. Depending on the type of cancer detected in a person and on the stage of its development, a course of treatment is selected, a prognosis is made.
Tumor localization classification
Cancers are classified by location - depending on which part of the body the primary tumor is formed in. In the future, metastasis from altered cells can penetrate into any organs and tissues, which will lead to the emergence of a secondary tumor. Most often, cancer is diagnosed, localized in the following parts of the body:
| Localization of the neoplasm | Description |
|---|---|
| Intestines | The tumor is mainly formed from transformed cells of the rectum and colon. This growth is difficult to detect because the initial symptoms are similar to those that occur with a common indigestion. Further development of the disease leads to bleeding, impaired stool and intestinal anemia. |
| Uterus | Uterine cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage of development, as patients turn to specialists with complaints of bleeding. |
| Larynx | The tumor is formed from the epithelial tissue of the larynx, develops extremely quickly. The neoplasm compresses the airways and blood vessels, causing general intoxication of the body. Cancer is often not detected in the early stages because the symptoms resemble those of a cold. |
| Testicles | A malignant neoplasm is formed from the tissues of the male reproductive gland. Diagnosis of testicular cancer is quite simple due to the fact that one testicle increases in size and becomes noticeably larger than the second. |
| Breast | The tumor is formed from the glandular tissue of the mammary gland and can be detected by a woman during self-examination - changes in the shade of the breast, the structure of the mammary gland and the shape of the nipple become noticeable. |
Patients from abroad also often go to clinics in Germany with the following oncological diseases: prostate cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, liver, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, bladder, kidney and brain cancer.
More rare are cases of detection of cancer of the pituitary gland, bones, ureter, adrenal gland, parathyroid gland, cervix, bronchi, eyeball, orbit, lips, salivary glands, tongue, gums, tonsils, anus and anal canal, peritoneum and retroperitoneal space.
But the fact that the listed types of tumors are not common does not mean that it will be impossible to undergo oncology treatment in Germany. Patients with rare and complex diseases can also count on professional help and hope for recovery.
Classification by type of cancer cells
According to the type of cells that have succumbed to transformation and launched the process of oncological disease development, malignant tumors are divided into the following types:
| Description | Symptoms | Diagnostics | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carcinoma | |||
| Malignant neoplasm formed from cells of epithelial tissue. In women, it is more often formed in the mammary glands, lungs, stomach and cervix, in men - in the prostate, liver, esophagus and lungs. The chances of recovery appear with early detection of the disease. The mortality rate is in second place after pathologies of the cardiovascular system. | Symptoms of carcinoma development can be different, depending on the location of the tumor and its size. The general symptoms are as follows: an increase in swelling at the site of tumor formation; weight loss; general weakness; poor appetite; dysfunction of the organ affected by the tumor, pain; increased bleeding. | Annual scheduled medical examinations (oncological examinations, fluorography, etc.); independent palpation of neoplasms of unknown origin; endoscopic instrumental examinations; a blood test for squamous cell carcinoma antigen; MRI, CT, X-ray with contrasts; histological examination after tumor biopsy. | Surgical excision of the tumor (sometimes complete removal of the organ and regional lymph nodes is required); chemotherapy; radiation therapy (in the treatment of unexplained formations); immunotherapy; neutron therapy (irradiation of a tumor with neutrons); gene therapy (influence on cell division). |
| Melanoma | |||
| A type of cancer that occurs due to a mutation of melanocytes (pigment cells in the skin). It is easy to define melanoma - it occurs on open skin, eyes, nails, feet, oral mucosa. The disease is characterized by rapid metastasis, a high probability of complications, and a high rate of deaths. | At the initial stage of development: Neoplasms on clean skin or moles (most often on the back and legs); change in the size, shape, color of a mole or birthmark, discomfort in these areas; the formation of a rapidly growing new mole on the skin. At a late stage of development: itching in the area of the tumor; crust formation on the affected area; allocation of exudate; new blackouts around the main focus; painful sensations; bleeding, destruction of the skin; weight loss. | Visual examination (on your own or in a doctor's office); skin biopsy; lymph node biopsy. | Surgical method - removal of the tumor (if the lymph nodes are enlarged, they are also subject to complete removal); a combined method (close-focus X-ray therapy of a skin area affected by cancer, excision of a tumor with the capture of 4 cm of healthy skin around the lesion, subcutaneous tissue and fascia, application of a rare suture). |
| Sarcoma | |||
| A tumor formed by connective tissue cells. Sarcoma can be localized in any part of the body, since there is connective tissue in the structure of each organ. The characteristic differences between sarcoma are its detection mainly in young people (in more than 40% of cases, the tumor is found in patients under 30 years of age) and a high mortality rate .. | An enlarging neoplasm; night pain in the area of the affected bone (with bone sarcoma), not amenable to pain relief; an increase in the venous network (with vascular lesions); pain in the area of the affected nerve (when exposed to the nerve trunks). | In the complex: Physical examination, taking anamnesis; laboratory research; biopsy of the affected tissue; Ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, Doppler angiography, etc. | Excision of the tumor; chemotherapy and radiation therapy (before or after surgery). |
| Lymphoma | |||
| Cancer of the lymphatic structures, characterized by enlargement of the lymph nodes or the appearance of seals in other organs due to the uncontrolled division of mutated lymphocytes. Lymphomas have the ability to metastasize. Types of malignant tumors: Hodgkin's lymphoma (lymphogranulomatosis), characterized by sequential spread from one lymph node to another - first, the disease affects the spleen and lymph nodes, then leads to hyperthermia, exhaustion of the body and death; non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (lymphosarcoma) - tumor lymphatic pathologies characterized by an extremely high degree of malignancy; lymphangiosarcoma is a cancerous neoplasm formed by the cellular structures of the vessels of the lymphatic system. | An increase in the size of the lymph nodes; persistent hyperthermia; feverish condition due to high temperature; painful sensations (not typical for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas); frequent loss of consciousness; problems in the work of the gastrointestinal tract; weight loss; dyspnea; itching; impairment of cognitive functions. | Family history collection; biopsy; blood test; MRI, CT, ultrasound, PET, radiography; radioisotope scanning; lymphoangiogram. | Chemotherapy using several drugs at once; radiotherapy and radiation; bone marrow transplant; biotherapy (taking drugs made from cells of patients with lymphomas); taking immunostimulating drugs; excision of the tumor (after chemotherapy). |
| Leukemia (leukemia, leukemia, blood cancer) | |||
| Pathology of the hematopoietic system, which begins with the bone marrow, which is responsible for the production of blood cells. For the development of leukemia, one mutated blood cell is enough - it ceases to perform its usual functions and begins to divide uncontrollably. That is why patients are advised to urgently treat leukemia in Germany. | Chronic weakness, fatigue; symptoms of colds; weight loss, poor appetite; decrease in resistance (as a result - the occurrence of infections); pain in bones and joints; bleeding and swelling of the gums; red spots under the skin; increased sweating (especially during sleep). | Complete blood count, blood biochemistry; taking a biopsy of the bone marrow. | Chemotherapy; blood transfusion, reduction of intoxication, prevention of infectious diseases (as additional measures). |
| Choriocarcinoma | |||
| A tumor formed from chorionic cells (the outer shell of the embryo that forms the placenta). It is diagnosed mainly in pregnant women. The cause of the disease is a disturbance in the functioning of the immune system or a malfunction in the genetic code. The tumor can metastasize to the brain, leading to stroke and death. | Profuse yellowish-white vaginal discharge (later purulent); increased body temperature; weight loss, lack of appetite; severe weakness, nausea; blood clots in the discharge from the genital tract (later, profuse bleeding); severe bleeding in the lungs; pain in the lower abdomen and organs affected by metastases. | Analysis of obstetric and gynecological history and menstrual function; inecological examination with bimanual (two-handed) examination; urine analysis for the content of the hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); Ultrasound of the abdominal and pelvic organs; a blood test for the content of protein that is formed in cancer cells (trophoblastic beta globulin); MRI of the brain and abdomen; computed tomography (CT); hysteroscopy with biopsy; diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity. | Polychemotherapy; excision of the tumor (if the uterus has increased to a size characteristic of a period of 9-10 weeks of pregnancy, if there is a risk of rupture of the uterus or ovary, if there is massive bleeding); removal of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes in the absence of a response to chemotherapy. |
| Glioma | |||
| A malignant brain tumor formed from glia (a structure made up of auxiliary cells in the nervous system). It can be localized above or below the cerebellum. | Symptoms will depend on the size and location of the tumor. The most common manifestations are: persistent headaches that cannot be stopped by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; severe nausea, vomiting; a feeling of heaviness in the eyes; convulsive syndrome. Depending on the area of the brain affected, muscle weakness, partial paralysis, impaired stool, vision, speech and memory problems may occur. | Thorough neurological examination; electroneurography, electromyography; analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (obtained during a lumbar puncture); CT and MRI; M-echo (ultrasound scan of the brain); cerebral contrast angiography; daily EEG monitoring; scintigraphy; PET (positron emission tomography). | Complete removal of glioma (possibly if the tumor is benign - grade I); resection of glioma within healthy tissues (if the glioma is operable and has not spread to both hemispheres of the brain); chemotherapy, radiation therapy (in the case of an inoperable tumor, as well as in the preoperative and postoperative period). |
| Teratoma | |||
| A rarely diagnosed malignant neoplasm that develops from embryonic cells and arises as a result of coordination failures in the interaction between the stem cell and its niche at the stage of embryogenesis. It is formed as a tissue (and even an organ), atypical for the location of the tumor. Teratoma can consist of muscle and bone tissue, hair and complex structures - limbs, teeth, eyes. It is believed that the cause of the appearance of the tumor is the development of an underdeveloped Siamese twin with parasitic abilities. It is usually found in the ovaries of women, the testes of men, the coccygeal part of children, in the brain. | Symptoms will depend on the location of the teratoma and the time of its occurrence in embryogenesis. If the laying of tumor cells occurs in the embryo, pathology of the skeleton and soft tissues occurs. In other cases, there are: sensations of squeezing at the site of tumor growth; shortness of breath, heart rhythm disturbances, increased body temperature (with localization of the tumor in the lungs and behind the breastbone); a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, discomfort (with the development of a tumor in the ovary); an increase in the scrotum, pain (with an increase in the tumor in the testicles of a man); disorder of the urinary system and the act of defecation (if a teratoma is found in the perineum, coccyx and sacrum in children); symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, nausea, vomiting (with localization of the tumor in the retroperitoneal space); symptoms of brain damage and endocrine disorders (with the formation of a tumor in the brain). | Obstetric ultrasound; plain radiography; X-ray contrast studies, angiography; CT scan of the affected area; MRI, chest x-ray, scintigraphy (if metastases are suspected); blood test for alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotropin; puncture biopsy and analysis of the material taken. | Excision within healthy tissue (not with ovarian teratoma); partial ovarian resection (with ovarian teratoma in girls and women of reproductive age); adnexectomy (removal of the ovary and fallopian tube by vomiting), supravaginal amputation of the uterus with appendages (in premenopausal and climacteric age); chemotherapy and radiotherapy (in the postoperative period). |
What explains the accuracy of cancer diagnostics in Germany
Oncological examination in modern German clinics is characterized by particular accuracy due to an integrated approach to diagnostics. The holistic biological diagnostics of the body is becoming more and more popular, because doctors are convinced that the human body should more often be considered as an integral structure, in which any changes in the tissues are reflected in the general condition.
Many oncological clinics in Germany carry out diagnostics using the Staging system, which allows you to detect damage to the lymph nodes and organs where the cancer is located. Due to the accuracy of the mentioned research method, doctors manage to determine in the shortest possible time the choice of the most suitable method of treatment in a particular case, which significantly increases the patient's chances of cure.
The complex of measures for the diagnosis of cancer in Germany includes an examination by an oncologist in conjunction with a specialized doctor (urologist, gynecologist, etc.), an assessment of risk factors and the following studies:
| Diagnostic method | Description |
|---|---|
| Genetic research | German scientists have deciphered the genetic code of a number of malignant tumors, which made it possible to divide the types of cancer into 230 additional subspecies. This made it possible to individualize therapeutic approaches. For example, many types of neoplasms are similar in morphological characteristics, but they can be caused by different genetic defects for different reasons, which means that therapy should be appropriate. |
| Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of internal organs and blood vessels | Study of body systems using ultrasound - ultra-high frequency sound waves. Obtaining an image on the monitor screen in real time makes it possible to track a number of dynamic processes occurring in the body. |
| Blood test for tumor markers (tumor activity of organs) | Cancer cells release tumor markers (substances of a protein nature) into the blood from the moment the tumor begins to develop, which allows diagnostics at the preclinical stage. Auxiliary method of Dianostics. |
| X-ray | Obtaining a snapshot of the patient's internal structure by "scanning" the body with X-rays and gamma rays. |
| Laboratory research | General blood test, biochemical blood test, blood clotting test, general urine test, cytological studies (assessment of the characteristics of the morphological structure of cellular elements). |
| Endoscopy | Examination of internal organs using an endoscope. The device is inserted into the cavities through natural pathways, and the camera allows you to see the internal organs of the patient on the monitor screen in real time. |
| Biopsy | Intravital sampling of biomaterial (cells and tissues) from a suspicious area of the body in order to further study it with the help of modern equipment. |
| Scintigraphy | Introduction of radioactive isotopes into the body and obtaining a two-dimensional image on the screen by determining the radiation emitted by them. It is used for detailed staging of tumors. |
| MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) | With the help of a high-tech device, the work of which is based on the use of the phenomena of nuclear magnetic resonance, the doctor receives a tomographic medical image for the study of internal organs and tissues. |
| CT (computed tomography) | Scanning the body using one or more beams of ionizing rays passed through the human body. The use of CT is important because the method avoids the effect of overlapping projections of organs on top of each other. The result is an image that shows the boundaries of the organs and the affected areas in the form of a section. |
| PET (Positron Emission Tomography) | This method of scanning the body allows you to see not just the anatomical structure of certain parts of the body, but the peculiarities of their work, as well as deviations in the functioning of each organ and organ system. A PET scanner can detect tumors that don't show themselves in any way when the patient does not have a single symptom of cancer. PET is also used during treatment to assess the results of therapy and monitor changes in the focus of the pathology. |
Specialists of German medical centers annually carry out innovative research work aimed at introducing modern developments into the work of diagnostic departments and improving examination methods. Already today, oncologists in German clinics:
- undertake to examine the state of individual organs and the whole organism as a whole in order to detect not only primary neoplasms, but also metastases;
- use non-invasive automated methods for determining the size of malignant tumors;
- take advantage of advances in nuclear medicine to obtain more accurate results of examinations of cancerous tumors through the use of spectral computed tomography;
- assess the morphological development of lymphomas and bronchial carcinomas complementary, conduct histological studies.
In most cases, cancer begins to manifest itself only in the late stages, and in the early stages of oncology, the patient does not see any symptoms of tumor growth. The problem is that the later a cancer is detected, the less chances for its cure remain, and therefore it is important to entrust the diagnosis to German specialists - doctors in Germany accurately determine the type of cancer and realize the importance of taking timely measures to eliminate it.
Modern methods of cancer treatment
Based on the diagnostic results, an individual cancer therapy plan is developed for the patient, which can be adjusted in the process, depending on the dynamics of recovery. Modern medicine has a large number of tools for effective therapy of malignant tumors.
Both individual and complex measures to cure cancer can be applied, including:
- Surgical excision of the tumor. The method is applicable in cases when cancer is detected at an early stage of tumor development, when the appearance of distant metastases and a significant spread of mutated cells to nearby tissues are not noted.
For operations in difficult and hard-to-reach areas, robotic equipment is used (da Vinci surgical system, Cyber-Knife radiosurgical system, HIFU ultrasonic ambilatory method). Thus, a high accuracy of surgical intervention is achieved and the level of injury to vital organs is significantly reduced.
- Chemotherapy. The technique is based on the destruction of altered cells by exposing them to special chemical compounds. The cytostatics used in this case are aggressive drugs, the use of which has a number of side effects, including anemia, a decrease in the number of cells of the immune system, and hair loss.
- Radiation therapy. X-ray irradiation of the tumor is carried out in order to suppress its further growth. The technique is very effective, but it also has a lot of side effects. After the procedure, the patient develops tissue burns in the area of irradiation, and radiation sickness may occur.
The local irradiation method (SIRT) allows you to inject a radioactive isotope directly into the tumor focus, so that the body suffers less from radiation.
- Immunotherapy. The purpose of this method is to strengthen the immune system for the early destruction of cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies are used (ipilimumab - to treat melanoma, trastuzumab - to treat breast cancer, rituximab - to eliminate lymphocytic leukemia).
- Hormone therapy. The method is used only in individual cases and consists in the introduction of hormones of the opposite sex into the patient's body. Certain types of tumors react to such actions by the death of altered cells. So, for example, cancer is treated in men - they are injected with a female sex hormone (estrogen). This procedure also has a side effect - male patients develop secondary sexual characteristics of a woman, namely, enlargement of the mammary glands and an increase in the timbre of the voice.
Types and principles of alternative methods of cancer treatment in German clinics
The type of alternative treatment for oncology will be selected by doctors individually for each specific case, depending on the type of malignant formation, its location, the patient's age and general state of health. This approach is implemented by carrying out the following types of therapy in the complex:
| Alternative cancer therapy | Description |
|---|---|
| Proton therapy | Irradiation of the affected tissue with protons. |
| Psychoenergetic treatment | Influence on the central nervous system, which regulates the immune system and the general somatic state of the body, in order to influence the course of the development of the disease. |
| Laser therapy | Point, directional use of the laser. |
| Magnetotherapy | Exposure to a malignant tumor with a magnetic field. |
| Microimmune treatment | Artificial stimulation of the immune system in the area of cancer localization. |
Upon completion of the course of treatment, a rehabilitation program is prescribed in order to restore the body after a complex course of chemotherapy, surgery, and the use of potent drugs.
You can be under the supervision of rehabilitators in comfortable wards of the same medical center or in a specialized rehabilitation center.
It should be noted that the rehabilitation process in Germany is taken no less seriously than the treatment. The patient is constantly under the supervision of a specialist, undergoes medical procedures, takes a general strengthening medicine, follows a diet and receives professional psychological assistance.
Leading cancer centers in Germany
There are no medical centers in Germany dedicated exclusively to cancer control. Cancer centers are part of larger structures (public and private medical centers, university clinics).
However, there are several multidisciplinary medical institutions that operate oncology centers with the most professional and experienced oncologists in the country.
| Name of the medical center | Description |
|---|---|
| Charité (Charité University Hospital) | Clinical complex, the largest hospital in Europe. The majority of foreign patients tend to get there, since the medical center is widely known throughout the world. |
| Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch | The multidisciplinary clinic with an oncology department is part of the HELIOS Hospital Group. This is one of the largest hospitals in Germany. The Clinic for Hematology, Oncology and Oncological Immunology is engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of solid tumors of various organs, malignant diseases of the lymphatic and hematopoietic systems. |
| Helios Klinikum Emil von Behring | The largest multidisciplinary hospital in the southwest of Berlin, part of the HELIOS Hospital Group. The local department of thoracic surgery together with the department of pulmonology form the Scientific Medical Center for Lung Cancer. |
| Diakoniekrankenhaus (Academic Clinic "Diakoni" of the University of Freiburg) | Leading center for internal medicine for the treatment of cancer in southern Germany. The clinic has established a reputation as a medical institution, which has the best rate of recovery for patients with severe oncology. |
| Schwarzwald-Baar Klinikum (University Hospital Black Forest-Baar in Villingen-Schwenningen) | According to the 2012 FOCUS magazine rating, the clinic entered the top three oncology centers in Germany. Special attention is paid here to palliative medicine aimed at relieving pain in critically ill patients. |
| Universitäre Cancer Center Hamburg (Department of Oncology and Cancer Treatment of the City of Hamburg) | The clinic has an oncobiological department. The effectiveness of treatment is achieved thanks to the joint work of narrowly specialized doctors in the treatment of individual organs. |
| Klinikum Stuttgart (Department of Oncology and Cancer Treatment at the Stuttgart Hospital) | Clinic in Germany for cancer treatment, accepting cancer patients from all over the world. In this medical center, not only complex multi-stage cancer therapy is carried out, but also long-term rehabilitation. Thermotherapy is practiced here - treatment of tumors by means of heat waves (the affected tissues are heated to 420 0 C and become more susceptible to radiation therapy). |
| Interdisziplinäre Onkologische Zentrum München (Joint Cancer Center Munich) | For many years, the Munich clinic has been demonstrating excellent rates of curing cancer (70% of patients are completely cured, 20% are in a state of long-term remission). The Department of Radiation Diagnostics is considered the best in Germany. |
| Uniklinik Heidelberg (University Hospital Heidelberg) | The clinic carries out the rarest research. Here they carry out immunotherapy, antitumor vaccinations (vaccinations), procedures to prevent the formation of metastases. |
| Klinikum der J.W. Goethe-Universitat Frankfurt am Main (Cancer clinic at the Goethe University Medical Center in Frankfurt am Main) | The clinic occupies a leading position in stem cell transplantation. Patients with advanced stages of cancer receive Afterloading radiation therapy. To accurately determine the stage of the disease, a stereotactic technique is performed, including an ABBI study (an alternative to biopsy). |
| Universitätsklinikum Köln (University Hospital Cologne) | World renowned medical institution. The doctors of the departments of the clinic have the opportunity to consult with each other and with specialists from other centers, which guarantees the most accurate diagnosis and the choice of the appropriate treatment. |
When choosing an oncology clinic in Germany, you need to focus on the type of cancer that was detected during diagnosis in the country of permanent residence, and evaluate the rates of successful cure of the disease and overcoming the five-year survival threshold for patients with a similar disease.
The cost of cancer treatment in Germany
Prices for medical services in Germany are lower than in the USA, Israel, Switzerland and several European countries. The cost of treating oncological diseases, like other diseases, is regulated at the legislative level by the Ministry of Health, therefore, the difference in prices may be associated solely with the use of increasing coefficients.
It should be noted that the cost of cancer treatment in a German clinic will include the full package of services of the medical center, namely (excluding the services provided by the travel organizer):
- stay in a medical institution for a certain period (set by each clinic independently);
- accommodation in a ward (double or superior);
- good nutrition;
- examination by an oncologist, specialists in specialized diseases;
- medical personnel services;
- laboratory tests, histological examination and other diagnostic methods;
- preoperative preparation;
- anesthesia;
- surgical intervention (excision of the tumor);
- accompanying treatment procedures;
- medical supplies and consumables;
- early postoperative therapy.
Of course, foreign patients would like to know exactly how much treatment in Germany will cost them. But you need to understand that, unlike elective procedures like joint replacement, cancers are unpredictable and there are many variables that can affect the final cost of the services of an oncology clinic.
The following factors may affect the price of treatment, which determine the speed of treatment and the length of the patient's stay in the clinic:
- a type of cancer;
- localization of a malignant tumor;
- the stage of cancer development;
- presence / absence of metastases;
- diagnostic results;
- the dynamics of the development of tumor neoplasms;
- presence / absence of concomitant diseases.
Below is a table that reflects the approximate cost of procedures aimed at curing cancer, examinations and complex therapy for various types of oncology. The cost is approximate, averaged.
| Medical service | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Diagnostics (establishment / confirmation of the diagnosis) | from 4 500 |
| Complete examination of the body (detection of a tumor, detection of metastases) | up to 8 270 |
| Radical surgery (organ removal) | from 11,000 to 24,000 |
| Surgery with excision of regional lymph nodes with preservation of the organ | from 7 300 to 10 000 |
| Minimally invasive surgery | from 12000 |
| Polychemotherapy | from 1 600 to 13 000 (1 course) |
| Radiation therapy | from 15,000 to 10,000 |
| Brachytherapy | 16000 |
| Cyber Knife Operation | from 10,000 to 15,000 |
| Rehabilitation course in a specialized center | from 89,000 to 202,000 |
The following table shows the average prices for a full course of cancer treatment, depending on its type:
| Diagnosis | Treatment method | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Lymphoma | Surgical removal of the tumor | from 10 000 |
| Prostate cancer | Radical prostatectomy (complete removal of the prostate using a da Vinci robot) | from 15,000 to 18,000 |
| Stomach cancer | Complete removal of the stomach (with further formation of a new stomach from intestinal tissue) | from 18,000 to 25,000 |
| Cancer of the uterus and ovaries | Resection of the uterus and ovaries | from 8000 |
| Mammary cancer | Removal of the mammary gland, its further reconstruction from its own tissues | from 22,000 to 25,000 |
| Tumor resection while preserving the mammary gland | 7,000 to 10,000 | |
| Rectal cancer | Partial bowel resection with stoma removal | from 15,000 to 20,000 |
| Bladder cancer | Removal of the bladder, formation of a new bladder from intestinal tissue | from 32,000 to 34,000 |
| Acute leukemia | A set of measures for the treatment of leukemia, bone marrow transplant | from 120,000 |
How to organize cancer treatment in Germany on your own or through intermediaries
To travel to Germany for treatment, it is not necessary to turn to intermediaries - many German clinics are ready to cooperate with foreign patients directly. Third-party companies have sufficient experience in organizing travel for medical tourists, but their services are expensive. Therefore, if the patient knows German, has experience of communicating with foreign medical organizations, and his disease does not require immediate treatment, it is better to do the paperwork yourself.
You need to act according to the following scheme:
- Decide on the clinic and, if necessary, choose the attending physician.
- Order the translation of the epicrises compiled by the doctors of domestic polyclinics into German (it is better to entrust the translation to professionals).
- Send requests to several clinics, wait for responses. Ask which patient is legally guaranteed in case of complications. Clarify the approximate cost and treatment regimen.
- Write a letter to the head physician of the selected medical center, inquire about the possibility of undergoing treatment in the clinic, describe the course of the disease and symptoms, send translations of epicrisis.
- Pay for the services of an oncological center (clinics in Germany work on a prepaid basis).
- Contact the secretary of the head physician, ask to send an invitation to present it to the German Consulate when obtaining a medical visa. Wait for confirmation from the professor of the clinic, agree on the date of the initial examination.
- Collect the necessary package of documents for obtaining a medical visa and contact the German Consulate. How to draw up an entry document, and what documents are needed, we describe in detail in a separate review "Medical visa to Germany".
- Book tickets so as to be in time for the initial examination and hospitalization.
- Hire an interpreter (if the patient does not speak German), book a hotel room, arrange an airport transfer.
It is undoubtedly easier to go to Germany for treatment through an intermediary. A work plan with an outside organization usually looks like this:
- The patient looks through the reviews on the work of several intermediary firms, chooses a company and applies for treatment through the website.
- The intermediary company draws up the translation of the documents provided and sends electronic copies to the German clinic to draw up a treatment plan and carry out a preliminary calculation of the cost of services.
- After the intermediary company receives a letter from the clinic, the client is provided with detailed information about the expected duration of treatment, the preliminary cost of the course of recovery and rehabilitation.
- The client gets acquainted with the contracts (from the medical institution and the intermediary firm), signs the papers and receives an invoice for payment of the intermediary firm's services.
- The organizer of the trip agrees with the clinic the date of the initial examination and hospitalization and asks to send an invitation for treatment in order to obtain a medical visa.
- The patient pays for the services of an intermediary (if payment is made in stages) and transfers money for treatment to the account of the medical institution (directly).
- The mediator receives an invitation from the oncological center and forwards it to the client.
- The patient draws up a visa, flies to Germany on the booked tickets.
- An employee of the intermediary firm meets the client at the airport, accompanies him to the hotel.
- On the day of the initial examination, an interpreter picks up the client from the hotel and escorts him to the clinic. He should be present at all conversations with the doctor and hospital staff throughout the course of treatment.
- Upon completion of the treatment, the intermediary firm assists the client in returning to his country of residence.
- The clinic sends the mediator all documents related to examinations, patient treatment, medical indications and recommendations.
- The clinic completes the recalculation and returns the rest of the money if the client paid more than was required. The client makes the final settlement with the intermediary.
Obviously, it is much more convenient to outsource the organization of treatment to outside companies. This is especially true if you need to start treatment as soon as possible, when delay can cost your life. Such cases include, for example, pediatric oncology.
Conclusion
In Germany, a whole system has been developed for studying the nature of cancer and treating cancer both in the early stages and in the later stages of tumor development, at which doctors usually refuse patients, considering them hopeless.
Choosing treatment in clinics in Germany, the patient makes a serious bet on recovery, because it is in the cancer centers of this country that for many years there have been frequent cases of complete cure of cancer and the onset of long-term remission.
