Sarcoma treatment in Germany – innovative treatment methods in German hospitals
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- Types of Sarcoma
- Standard Medical Approaches to Sarcoma Care
- Surgical Treatment of Sarcoma in Germany
- Radiation Therapy for Sarcoma in Germany
- Sarcoma Chemotherapy in Germany
- Innovative and Alternative Methods of Sarcoma Treatment
- Where to Treat Sarcoma?
- Story of Patient: Richard Bam
- Convenient Treatment Abroad with Booking Health
- Frequently asked questions of our patients
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Sarcoma represents a group of malignant tumors that develop in soft and hard connective tissues, characterized by aggressive spread and early metastasis. Following the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of dendritic cells, sarcoma cancer treatment in Germany has achieved the highest European survival rates by combining traditional methods with innovative immunotherapy approaches, such as dendritic cell vaccination.
Types of Sarcoma
There are two main types of sarcoma – sarcoma of the soft tissues and sarcoma of the hard tissues.
Sarcoma of the soft tissues develops from the muscles, vessels, and fat and fibrous tissues. Many varieties of sarcoma are described in terms of histological structure. They have different clinical course and varying degrees of malignancy.
The most common types of soft tissue sarcoma
- Angiosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that affects the skin, mammary glands, and lymphatic vessels of the limbs. It arises because of radiation exposure, injuries, and as a consequence of some immune diseases. Treatment depends on the localization, but the forecast is generally unfavorable. For example, the treatment of breast sarcoma is a mastectomy - a complete removal of the breast.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma develops from the striated muscles. Most often, rhabdomyosarcoma appears in children (except for pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma - it appears in adulthood). The causes of the occurrence are not fully understood. However, it has been established that provoking factors can be radiation exposure, contact with carcinogens, and genetic abnormalities.
- Lymphosarcoma affects the lymphatic system, most often occurring in the nasopharynx, lymph nodes, as well as the chest and abdomen. The disease mainly affects children and people of a mature age. The method of treatment is usually surgical. Thus, the treatment of salivary gland sarcoma is most often radical since this rare formation is characterized by rapid growth and metastasizes to the lymph nodes. But the treatment of lung sarcoma usually consists of radiation therapy since a tumor is detected in the late stages. In such cases, surgery does not make sense.
- Synovial sarcoma is a fairly rare tumor that develops from the synovial membrane of the joints. Most often, it affects the limbs. The disease can be caused by dysplasia, joint trauma, and carcinogenic factors. With timely treatment of synovial sarcoma, the survival rate can reach 40%.
- Kaposi's sarcoma is a rare lesion on the skin that appears as spots or nodules. The disease progression is rather slow, and adult males are more exposed to it. The relationship of Kaposi's sarcoma with the herpes virus and HIV infection has been proven. Also, an increased risk is characteristic of patients who have been recipients of donor organs. Treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma can be both systemic and local (ointments, cryotherapy, electrocoagulation).
The survival rate after sarcoma of the soft tissues treatment in Germany can reach 80%.
Sarcoma of the hard tissues
- Ewing's sarcoma often affects children between the ages of 10-15 years old. The main localization is the pelvis and the lower extremities. The tumor develops mainly from long tubular bones. Rapidly growing and early metastasizing. Ewing's sarcoma treatment may include its transplantation if the tumor has metastasized into the bone marrow.
- Osteosarcoma or osteogenic sarcoma - malignant formation on the bone. In most cases, osteogenic sarcoma affects the tubular bones. Most children and adolescents are affected by this disease, and less often, elderly people. Among other age categories, osteosarcoma is extremely rare. Osteogenic sarcoma involves treatment with surgical surgery with endoprosthetics.
- Chondrosarcoma is a cancer of the cartilaginous tissue that most often occurs in the pelvis, shoulders, thigh, and ribs. Sometimes - in the spine or the extremities. The prognosis of life for patients with chondrosarcoma depends on the structure and localization of education.
Standard Medical Approaches to Sarcoma Care
Most sarcomas are neoplasms with a high level of malignancy. They rapidly increase the tumor mass and give metastases, including distant metastases. Sarcomas most often metastasize into the bone marrow, lungs, and central nervous system.
To effectively fight the rapidly growing neoplasm, different combinations of several methods for sarcoma treatment in Germany are applied:
- Surgery – primary tumor removal and reconstruction
- Radiation therapy – targeting cancer cells with precision radiation
- Chemotherapy – systemic treatment with anti-cancer drugs
- Immunotherapy, including dendritic cell vaccination – activating the body's immune system to fight cancer cells
The dendritic cell vaccination represents a significant advancement in immunotherapy. This innovative treatment works by "training" the patient's immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells specifically. Radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy can be conducted in different periods, depending on the type of disease and the chosen treatment scheme. Sometimes these methods are prescribed before surgery, and other patients receive them after surgical intervention. The advantage of dendritic cell vaccination is its compatibility with other treatment methods, allowing for comprehensive therapy while maintaining minimal side effects.
Surgical Treatment of Sarcoma in Germany
Surgery is the basis of treating most malignant neoplasms. Surgery in Germany has a number of benefits for patients suffering from sarcoma. Organ-saving surgeries are among those, as well as robotic-assisted devices and neuronavigation systems, reaching cosmetic effect, recovering measures.
Let’s talk about surgical technologies for sarcoma treatment in Germany in detail.
Organ saving operations. Often sarcoma develops on the limbs. It especially concerns the formation of bone tissue. In such cases, the treatment of bone sarcoma usually involves amputation. Nevertheless, in German hospitals doctors try to save the limb, if possible. Only 20% of cases of osteogenic sarcoma require the amputation of the arm or leg. The remaining 80% of patients perform organ-saving operations. After removing the bone, it is possible to establish an implant in its place.
And even in case of amputation, German hospitals provide the patient with an individually designed prosthesis. At the same time, the patient and his family undergo psychological therapy designed to restore emotional wellbeing after the operation. In addition, after amputation, the patient undergoes rehabilitation - he learns to live with a prosthesis, learns the skills necessary in everyday life. The work of physiotherapists with such patients is primarily aimed at gaining the ability of patients to self-service.
Operational safety and minimum recovery time. The use of robotic devices, methods of high-precision visualization, and modern anesthetic agents minimize all risks associated with an intervention. Therefore, compared with most other countries, Germany has a significantly lower intra-operative mortality and the risk of postoperative complications. After low-traumatic techniques, patients recover many times faster.
Doctors attach great importance to the aesthetic effect, especially if the tumor is localized in open areas of the skin. Treatment of sarcoma of the skin or breast is carried out with subsequent reconstruction.
Radiation Therapy for sarcoma in Germany
In all countries of the world, radiation therapy is used to treat malignant neoplasms. But it has different effectiveness. Qualitative therapy requires expensive equipment and the availability of doctors in the clinic staff who have the necessary skills to use the equipment.
The following radiotherapy methods for sarcoma are used in medical centers in Germany:
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Compared with conventional radiation therapy, the rays more accurately focus on the tumor and less affect healthy surrounding tissues.
- Proton therapy. The method of treatment, comparable in effectiveness with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, but with a higher safety profile and better tolerability. Proton therapy allows you to more accurately affect the tumor and less damage to surrounding tissue. However, this type of treatment is rarely used even in developed countries because of the high cost. In Germany, proton therapy is available only in some clinics.
- Intraoperative radiotherapy. It is carried out before the closure of the operating wound. The advantage of this type of treatment is that gamma rays do not pass through healthy tissues. This makes it possible to apply high doses of radiation, which greatly increases the effectiveness of the procedure.
- Brachytherapy is another name for internal radiation therapy. The pellets are placed with granules of a radioactive substance. With sarcoma, they are injected through thin tubes that are left after the operation. Different doses of radiation are used to treat different types of malignant tumors. Some granules with a radioactive substance enter into the focus of the oncological process only for a few minutes, others - for several days.
Sarcoma Chemotherapy in Germany
In German clinics, sarcoma chemotherapy is performed in conjunction with other methods within the framework of an individually developed treatment regimen. This approach is not available during treatment in CIS clinics, as domestic hospitals use the old treatment regimens.
Among the benefits of chemotherapy for sarcoma in Germany are:
- The latest medicines are used that have the highest clinical efficacy
- Germany has developed and implemented gentle chemotherapy drugs that have minimal impact on the general condition of the patient
- Protective agents are used to minimize the detrimental effects of chemo on the hair and nails of the patient
In Germany, with some types of sarcomas, the method of isolated perfusion is used. In the limb, where the tumor is located, the blood flow is artificially enhanced and the temperature of the blood increases. This allows you to concentrate more of the active substance at the site of tumor localization. Also in clinics in Germany, the method of chemoembolization of soft tissue sarcoma is used. With the help of visualization methods, the doctor injects into the artery while feeding the tumor a drug for the treatment of sarcoma. This enables the doctor to act on the tumor sight, without affecting healthy tissue.
Innovative and Alternative Methods of Sarcoma Treatment
In the landscape of modern sarcoma treatment, evidence-based medical approaches remain the cornerstone of successful patient care. The complexity of sarcoma management requires a comprehensive treatment strategy developed and overseen by experienced oncologists. These medical professionals continually integrate the latest scientific advances into their treatment protocols, with dendritic cell vaccination emerging as one of the most promising approaches in recent years.
Dendritic Cell Vaccination for Sarcoma
This sophisticated immunotherapy, particularly as implemented in leading German medical centers, represents a significant step forward in sarcoma care. By combining the precision of personalized medicine with the power of the body's own immune system, dendritic cell vaccination has demonstrated remarkable success rates and has become a cornerstone of advanced sarcoma treatment protocols.
The benefits of dendritic cell therapy for sarcoma patients include:
- Superior therapeutic outcomes with minimal side effects compared to conventional treatments alone
- Highly precise targeting of cancer cells while maintaining the integrity of healthy tissue
- Seamless integration with existing treatment methods, enhancing overall effectiveness
- Proven long-term immune response that continues to fight cancer cells months after a single injection
- Exceptional track record in preventing recurrence, supported by clinical evidence
The treatment protocol consists of two main steps:
- Initial consultation and blood collection (1 day)
- Vaccine administration after 7 days of processing
To learn more about this innovative treatment approach, we interviewed Professor Frank Gansauge, a leading expert in immunotherapy and dendritic cell vaccination. His insights provide valuable information for patients considering this treatment option.
Expert Insights from Prof. Gansauge: The Power of Dendritic Cell Therapy in Cancer Treatment
Treatment of sarcoma at the advanced stages
In Germany, schemes for treating sarcoma at its late stages are applied. Even if there are distant metastases, the quality of therapy can bring success. Total radiation, large doses of chemotherapy with the subsequent injection of stem cells, is aimed at reaching seven-year survival in 50% of cases. Patients with metastatic sarcoma have no more than 10% of five-year survival without such treatment.
Where to treat sarcoma?
Treatment of sarcoma is usually carried out by a multidisciplinary medical team, including surgeons and oncologists. The best sarcoma treatment centers in Germany are:
- Vivantes Neukölln Hospital Berlin, Department of Minimally Invasive and Abdominal Surgery
- Academic Hospital Brothers of Mercy Munich, Department of General and Abdominal Surgery
- University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Department of General, Abdominal and Transplant Surgery
- Charite University Hospital Berlin, Department of General, Abdominal and Vascular Surgery
- University Hospital Ulm, Department of General and Abdominal Surgery
The cost of sarcoma treatment in Germany varies depending on the specific treatment approach and duration:
- Diagnostics of sarcoma – 2,488 EUR
- Radiation therapy for sarcoma – 22,600 EUR
- Proton therapy for sarcoma – 85,890 EUR
- Chemotherapy for sarcoma – 15,845 EUR
- Dendritic cell therapy for sarcoma – 20,000 - 38,000 EUR
Story of Patient: Richard Bam
Richard Bam's journey with sarcoma cancer treatment in Germany exemplifies the high standard of care provided at German medical facilities. "Our experience from start to finish was professional and efficient," Richard recalls. "A manager contacted me soon after I emailed my query and had a treatment plan put together within a week."
The comprehensive care included personalized support from a case manager, who maintained regular communication throughout the treatment process. Transportation services were handled by a local driver, who provided comfortable airport transfers and assistance. The local translator proved invaluable in navigating appointments and logistics.
Richard underwent dendritic cell treatment, following the standard two-step protocol. The initial day involved comprehensive examinations and blood collection for vaccine manufacturing. After seven days, he returned for the vaccination procedure. "The entire process was well-organized and efficient," Richard notes. "From the medical staff to the support team, everyone demonstrated true professionalism."
Convenient treatment abroad with Booking Health
You can use the Booking Health online platform for a comfortable search of a suitable hospital. Here you can choose a medical institution on your own or leave a request on the website. Our patient case managers will contact you and help you choose the right hospital for undergoing examination and treatment.
In addition, we take care of arranging your trip to Germany, which includes:
- Choosing the hospital that specialized in sarcoma treatment
- Establishing communication directly with your surgeon and oncologist
- Preparing medical program in advance, without repeating previous examinations
- Providing favorable costs, without overpricing and additional coefficients for foreign patients (saving up to 50%)
- Booking the appointment on the necessary date
- Monitoring medical program at all stages
- Insurance against complications of treatment
- Help in buying and forwarding of medicines
- Communication with the clinic after treatment completion
- Control of invoices and return of unspent funds
- Organization of additional examinations
- Offering service of the highest level: booking hotels and plane tickets, transfer organization
- Services of interpreter and personal medical coordinator
Frequently asked questions of our patients
Sarcoma is a cancer that develops in connective tissues – both soft (muscles, vessels, fat) and hard (bones). Unlike common cancers affecting organs, sarcomas start in mesenchymal tissues and tend to spread early.
The main signs include noticeable lumps or swelling, progressive pain (especially in bone sarcomas), and reduced mobility near the affected area. General symptoms may include unexplained fatigue and weight loss.
Diagnosis relies on imaging studies (MRI, CT scans) and biopsy to confirm the tumor type and grade. Additional tests help determine if the cancer has spread.
Treatment combines surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy based on the sarcoma type and stage. Advanced options like dendritic cell vaccines boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer cells, offering promising outcomes when combined with standard treatments.
Key German facilities include Vivantes Neukölln Hospital Berlin, Academic Hospital Brothers of Mercy Munich, and Charite University Hospital Berlin, known for their comprehensive approach and superior survival rates.
Choose treatment abroad, and you will for sure get the best results!
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board-certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Alexandra Solovey. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
National Center for Biotechnology
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