Treatment of stage 4 breast cancer in Germany

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• Why Standard Treatments for Stage 4 Breast Cancer May Not Be Enough
• The very latest and the most effective treatment options for stage 4 breast cancer
  • Immunotherapy for Stage 4 Breast Cancer
  • Regional Chemotherapy (Chemoembolization) for Stage 4 Breast Cancer
• Success Stories of Patients Who Beat Stage 4 Breast Cancer
• Top Cancer Centers in Germany for Breast Cancer Treatment
• Expert Support Through Your Medical Journey to Germany
• Frequently asked questions of our patients

Breast cancer affects over 2 million women annually, with 10% diagnosed at stage 4 with metastases. As global leaders in oncology research and treatment, German hospitals combine cutting-edge technologies with comprehensive patient care. Their innovative protocols, especially personalized dendritic cell vaccines with over 90% response rates and regional chemotherapy, have shown remarkable success in stage 4 breast cancer treatment. With about 80% of oncological research conducted in Germany, here patients gain access to the latest treatment methods, all delivered by world-renowned oncologists in state-of-the-art facilities.

Why Standard Treatments for Stage 4 Breast Cancer May Not Be Enough

Stage 4 breast cancer represents the most advanced form of the disease, where cancer cells have spread beyond the breast to distant organs. At this stage, the original tumor size becomes secondary to the fact that cancer cells have already established new growth sites throughout the body.

The standard treatment methods for breast cancer face significant limitations in advanced cases. The main problems are:

• The disease becomes extremely difficult to control, and a complete cure with conventional methods alone is virtually impossible
• Traditional chemotherapy protocols are highly toxic, causing severe side effects and organ damage, sometimes leading to life-threatening complications
• The aggressive nature of standard chemotherapy not only attacks cancer cells but also severely compromises the immune system, preventing the body's natural defenses from fighting the tumor

German hospitals have innovative treatment methods for stage 4 breast cancer. These include personalized dendritic cell vaccines, targeted molecular therapy, cryoablation, chemoembolization of tumor vessels, and immunotherapy. Unlike conventional approaches, these advanced methods can achieve significant results while maintaining the patient's quality of life and minimizing the risk of severe complications.

The Very Latest and Most Effective Treatment Options for Stage 4 Breast Cancer

German medical centers stand at the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge treatments, focusing particularly on minimally invasive procedures and personalized immunotherapy. Two of the most promising approaches that have shown exceptional results in treating stage 4 breast cancer are dendritic cell vaccines and regional chemotherapy (chemoembolization).

Immunotherapy for Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Immunotherapy has emerged as a groundbreaking treatment approach, particularly effective for triple-negative and HER2-positive breast cancers. The field was revolutionized by the discovery of dendritic cells, earning Ralph Steinman the Nobel Prize in 2011 for his pioneering research.

Current immunotherapy approaches include:

• Dendritic cell vaccines (LANEX-DC®) with a response rate of over 90% and excellent tolerability due to their personalized nature. A single injection can achieve long-lasting anticancer immunity, making it a convenient and effective option. Unlike conventional therapies, dendritic cell vaccination can be safely combined with other treatments while maintaining its effectiveness.
• Checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-L1 and PD-1 proteins, and effective in triple-negative breast cancer. This therapy can result in significant tumor reduction, with 10% of patients achieving complete response and another 10-20% showing disease stabilization.
• TIL protocol treatment, utilizing enhanced immune cells from the patient's tumor tissue. These cells are characterized by their heightened aggression against cancer cells and are cultured in the laboratory to increase their numbers before reintroduction to the patient's body.
• CAR T-cell therapy with genetically engineered immune cells, designed to target specific proteins on cancer cell surfaces. While innovative, this approach often requires extended hospital stays, carries risks of severe side effects including cytokine release syndrome, and involves significantly higher treatment costs compared to other immunotherapy options.

Dendritic cell therapy for breast cancer stands out as one of the most innovative immunotherapy methods. This approach creates personalized vaccines using the patient's own immune cells, particularly effective for patients who haven't responded well to standard treatments. The therapy has shown remarkable success in German medical centers, with minimal side effects and the ability to combine with other treatment approaches.

Comparing the effectiveness and treatment costs

Treatment	2-Year Survival Rate*	Response Rate**	Cost of treatment, €***
Dendritic cell therapy	up to 85%	up to 90%	20,000 - 38,000
Checkpoint inhibitors	up to 45%	up to 45%	375,000 - 420,000 for the full course
CAR T-cell therapy	up to 50%	up to 40%	450,000 - 550,000

*Booking Health data. Survival rates vary widely depending on the type of cancer, the patient's condition, and specific circumstances.

**Booking Health data. Response rate is the number of patients who show improvement after treatment.

***The cost of treatment depends on the type of tumor, stage of cancer, and other factors.

To explore the groundbreaking developments in dendritic cell therapy, we interviewed Prof. Dr. Frank Gansauge, a pioneering expert in immunotherapy and founder of LDG Laboratories. With over 22 years of experience in dendritic cell therapy and more than 2,500 successful procedures, Prof. Gansauge has established one of Europe's leading facilities for this innovative treatment. His clinic is renowned for its LANEX-DC® dendritic cell immunotherapy, particularly effective for advanced-stage breast cancer. In the interview, he discusses the science behind dendritic cell therapy, its applications in oncology, and the remarkable outcomes achieved in treating breast malignancies.

Prof. Frank Gansauge: How Dendritic Cell Therapy is Transforming Modern Cancer Treatment

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Regional Chemotherapy (Chemoembolization) for Stage 4 Breast Cancer

Regional chemotherapy or chemoembolization for the treatment of fourth-stage breast cancer can be used for local control of the primary tumor and local or distant metastases. The procedure involves targeted delivery of chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor site, followed by vessel embolization to maximize treatment effectiveness while minimizing systemic side effects. The administration of chemotherapy agents directly into the arteries feeding the tumor is more effective since this allows for creating high drug concentrations in the tumor tissues. The procedure avoids traumatic surgery and breast removal.

The tumor can have different sources of blood supply. Before the procedure, the doctor injects a contrast agent into the arteries and takes X-ray images to determine which vessels feed the tumor. He then injects emboli into these vessels: these can be mammary, internal thoracic, intercostal arteries, or branches of the subclavian artery. Such targeted embolization is called selective embolization. It leads to the partial death of the tumor, the healing of ulcerative defects, and pain relief, as early as 2-3 days after the procedure.

This minimally invasive treatment is particularly effective for:

• Primary tumor control through targeted chemotherapy delivery
• Liver metastasis control (occurring in 80% of metastatic cases)
• Inoperable tumors and recurrences resistant to other treatments
• Cases with bleeding or skin ulceration
• Cases requiring palliative care

The duration of the complex treatment program is about 7 days, it is outpatient, with costs ranging from 6,500 to 24,000 EUR depending on the specific protocol requirements.

To provide deeper insights into chemoembolization's effectiveness for stage 4 breast cancer, we interviewed Prof. Dr. Thomas Vogl, Head of the Department of Radiology at University Hospital Frankfurt. With over 9,000 chemoembolization procedures performed and 23 years of experience, Prof. Vogl is one of Germany's leading experts in interventional oncology. His department performs 8-10 regional chemotherapy procedures daily, treating patients from both Germany and abroad.

Leading German Radiologist Prof. Thomas Vogl about Groundbreaking Chemoembolization Treatment

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Success Stories of Patients Who Beat Stage 4 Breast Cancer

The story of Magdalena Ivanova demonstrates the transformative potential of innovative cancer treatments available in Germany. After initially battling and surviving breast cancer through conventional treatments in her home country Bulgaria, Magdalena faced a devastating recurrence of stage 4 breast cancer that had metastasized to her bones. Having experienced the harsh side effects of traditional chemotherapy during her first treatment, she was determined to find alternative options.

Following a radical mastectomy, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and radiation therapy in Bulgaria, Magdalena underwent targeted therapy for bone metastases, requiring monthly hospital visits for eight years. The aggressive nature of these conventional treatments prompted her to search for innovative approaches that could offer a better quality of life.

Her search led her to dendritic cell therapy at LDG Laboratories in Germany. Magdalena found the treatment process remarkably comfortable and free from side effects. The procedure involved creating a personalized vaccine from her blood cells to boost her immune system's ability to fight cancer.

Unlike her previous treatments, the dendritic cell therapy proved to be minimally invasive and highly tolerable. She experienced no restrictions on daily activities and could maintain a normal lifestyle throughout the treatment. The entire process was controlled by experienced specialists who provided comprehensive care and regular monitoring.

Today, Magdalena's story is a testament to the effectiveness of innovative cancer treatments available in German medical centers. Her experience highlights how combining traditional and innovative approaches, particularly dendritic cell immunotherapy, can offer hope to patients with advanced-stage breast cancer while maintaining their quality of life.

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Top Cancer Centers in Germany for Breast Cancer Treatment

It is no longer a secret that patients who undergo treatment in Germany are sure to get high-quality and effective results. State-of-the-art medical equipment, doctors who are constantly improving their qualifications, the introduction of the very latest achievements in the treatment of various types of diseases, and top-class services – all of these factors make it possible to achieve the highest results in the treatment of patients.

Leading German Cancer Centers

• LDG Laboratories Dr. Gansauge Berg. Renowned for pioneering LANEX-DC® dendritic cell immunotherapy, with over 2,500 successful procedures completed. Their innovative therapy is particularly effective for advanced-stage breast cancer, offering minimal side effects and outpatient treatment options. The treatment works through individually created dendritic cell-based vaccines, especially beneficial for patients who haven't responded well to standard treatments.
• University Hospital Frankfurt am Main. A leading center for comprehensive cancer care, offering advanced surgical techniques, targeted chemotherapy, innovative immunotherapy, and cutting-edge radiation therapy using CyberKnife technology. The hospital excels in breast cancer treatment with state-of-the-art diagnostic services and performs 60-100 stem cell transplantations annually. Treatment plans are developed through interdisciplinary tumor boards for optimally coordinated care.
• Asklepios Hospital Barmbek Hamburg. An academic hospital of the University of Hamburg, featuring modern infrastructure and innovative treatment approaches. The facility utilizes the da Vinci surgical system and treats over 110,000 patients annually. It holds DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 certification and recognition from the German Cancer Society (DKG), ranking among the top three worldwide medical centers for medical tourism.
• Clinic of Advanced Biological Medicine Frankfurt am Main. With 40 years of experience, this facility pioneers an integrative approach to cancer treatment, combining traditional oncology with advanced biological therapies. Their focus extends beyond cancer treatment to improving the overall quality of life through targeted biological therapies and personalized treatment protocols based on detailed diagnostics.
• Hyperthermia Center Hannover. Specializes in innovative cancer treatments, offering six different hyperthermia methods including whole-body and local approaches. The center combines traditional treatments with holistic medicine, featuring advanced therapies such as albumin carrier therapy and photodynamic therapy. Their integrated approach includes comprehensive cancer care without hospitalization and psychological support for patients.

Fighting Breast Cancer Together: Treatment Journeys with Booking Health

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