Treatment of prostate cancer in Germany. Modern German technologies in the treatment of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor thataffects the cells of the prostate gland. In the world, about 400 000 cases of the disease are diagnosed each year, and in Russia, among men with oncological diseases, prostate cancer ranks eighth. According to statistics, a man can develop prostate cancer at any age, but at the age of 60, the risk is significantly increased.
Diagnosis and treatment of this disease in Russiais difficult. The main reasons for this are insufficient equipment of clinics and a shortage of experienced specialists. Such problems are observed not only in Russia, but also in many other countries, so patients with such a diagnosis are forced to apply to foreign medical institutions. Good results have been shown in this field by Germany: treatment of prostate cancer here is one of the most effective in the world.
Features of diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
Oncological diseases are characterized bythe appearance and growth of malignant cells (in this case in the prostate gland). Treatment gives the fastest and most effective effect only if the disease is diagnosed in the early stages (1 or 2). The tumor still has small dimensions and does not affect neighboring organs. However, at these stages, few patients turn to the clinic.
The matter is that at small sizes the tumor is notcauses pain or other vivid symptoms. Oncology of stages 1 and 2 is most often detected during regular check-ups. That's why all men who have reached the age of 45, doctors are urged to undergo annual urological examinations.
Complex approach to treatment
German clinics for the treatment of oncology managed to achieve good results, thanks to several features of the work.
Constant research in the field of oncology, search and testing of new drugs.
Pay attention to early methods of diagnosis. This is what makes it possible to identify cancer at the initial stages, to proceed as quickly as possible to its treatment.
Application of advanced methods of treatment in practice.
Good equipment of clinics - oncological centers are equipped with the latest devices and equipment.
Upscale doctors. All medical staff of clinics are constantly upgrading their qualifications. Oncologists, surgeons and other narrow specialists attend conferences, exchange experiences, and introduce advanced methods of treating prostate cancer in Germany.
Using an integrated approach. This is not only treatment, but also the work of psychologists.
Methods for diagnosing prostate cancer in German clinics
Rapid and accurate diagnosis of cancerdiseases - one of the most important pledges of success. It allows not only to detect the presence of the disease, but also to provide exhaustive information about the nature of the disease, the location and magnitude of the tumor. Based on this, a course of treatment is under construction.
PSA. Under this abbreviation is the namean effective method of diagnosis in urology - the detection of the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. This antigen is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland. In the body of a healthy man, the level of this antigen is low enough. Increased content suggests pathologies in the prostate. This analysis does not indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor, so more detailed diagnosis is required.
Palpation. This check is carried out by an experienced urologist, but in the early stages it is ineffective.
Transrectal ultrasound. Ultrasound examination of the prostate gland, which gives a clear idea of the condition of the organ, the presence or absence of the tumor, its location and dimensions.
MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging. Gives more precise information about the state of the prostate, helps to identify possible metastases.
Biopsy. It is instructive to confirm the presence of a malignant tumor by a biopsy procedure. During this, prostate cells are taken and carefully studied.
Cost of diagnosis in Germany
All German clinics display their own price lists, the prices in which can vary. To get an approximate indicator, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the price of one of the clinics:
blood tests, ultrasound of organs, specialist consultation - about 500 euros;
detailed urological examination of oncology (this is ultrasound of organs, PSA, specialist consultation, biopsy procedure and histological examination) - about 2 000 euros;
biopsy and histological examination - about 1,500 euros;
MRI - about 800 euros.
Operative treatment of prostate cancer
Surgical intervention (prostatectomy) -one of the most effective ways to combat oncology. This option is suitable only if the cancer has not given metastases. The doctor conducts the removal of the affected organ.
Previously, prostatectomy was performed in an open manner. In the course of it, the surgeon made an incision of 10-15 cm in the lower abdomen. A little later, there was an opportunity to conduct laparoscopy without a large incision. However, both of these methods had a number of shortcomings, leading to unpleasant consequences.
To date, Germany's clinics are activeuse a new way of carrying out operations - robot-assisted prostatectomy (often called Da Vinci's robot). During this procedure, only a few punctures are made, through which the operation is performed. In comparison with previous methods, the Da Vinci operation has the following advantages:
minimizes blood loss;
reduces the risk of infection;
markedly reduces the recovery postoperative period;
excludes cosmetic defect;
keeps the potency and urinary functions in the patient normal.
Short and easy postoperative period after the use of da Vinci robot allows the patient not to waste power of recovery, which is important for cancer patients.
Irradiation
Irradiation can be applied as in the forman independent way of therapy, and in conjunction with other procedures. In the form of the main treatment, this therapy is recommended in those cases when the patient for one reason or another can not perform the operation.
In the course of traditional radiotherapy for cancerprostate all the patient's body is exposed to radiation, which leads to serious side effects. German clinics were among the first to use in practice low-dose permanent brachytherapy.
Brachytherapy is a procedure in the course ofwith a long thin needle into the patient's prostate gland particles with radioactive iodine are implanted. The operation is performed under general anesthesia or local, during which the lower body is anesthetized. The particles have dimensions of 4.5 mm in length, and in diameter only 0.8 mm. Immediately after implantation, radioactive grains begin to affect the tumor, block its growth and development.
Radiation under brachytherapy is not the entire body of the patient, but only the tumor itself, therefore:
increases the effectiveness of radiation, thanks to a clearly directed action;
side effects decrease;
The procedure lasts only about an hour, the next day the patient is discharged home.
Hormonal therapy
Such treatment in German clinics suggeststhe appointment of special medications that block the production of testosterone. The fact is that the produced testosterone affects the tumor, accelerating its growth.
Such treatment is often prescribed in the early stagesoncology, combined with brachytherapy. German clinics always try to use new medicines that have been tested, and have shown high efficiency.
HIFU-therapy
HIFU-therapy is sufficientAn effective method of combating prostate cancer. The procedure is that the tumor is exposed to high temperature by means of special sound vibrations.
This effect destroys the cellsneoplasm, does not allow them to share further. The drawback of this method is that it can not be applied in all cases. The decision on effectiveness is taken after the passage of the diagnosis.
Cryoablation
Another method of treating prostate cancer in Germany, often used clinics. The method is based on the use of a special device for tumor freezing.
The doctor carries out variable freezing and thawing of the tumor. This disrupts the metabolism of cancer cells and destroys the tumor.
The cost of treating prostate cancer in Germany
The exact cost of treatment in clinics in Germanyit is impossible to name, as for each patient an individual course of treatment is formed. It depends on the stage of the disease, the size and location of the tumor, the presence of metastases, the age and general condition of the patient.
Each clinic offers to familiarize with the price-list. The prices will be approximately the following.
- Radiation therapy - about 3 000 euros.
- Brachytherapy - about 9 000 euros.
- Therapy HIFU - about 8,500 euros.
- Prostatectomy is laparoscopic - about 8,000 euros.
- Treatment of prostate cancer in Germany by the method of da Vinci - approximately 12 500 euros.
Medical centers in Germany that specialize in oncology
In Germany there are about 50 different centers, which annually receive hundreds of patients from Europe and CIS countries. Below is only a small list of medical centers.
City of Munich, clinic "Isar".
City of Munich - Day oncological and cardiological clinic named after Professor Herrmann.
City of Berlin, "Charite" - University clinic.
City of Dortmund, "Prostate Center".
The city of Aachen - here is the University Clinic.
University clinic in the city of Mainz.
Treatment of prostate cancer in Germany - enoughexpensive service, but every year hundreds of patients from Germany and many other countries use it. Complex approach, high-tech methods of therapy, qualified specialists - all this allows to achieve high rates of treatment effectiveness and patient survival.
