Chemoembolization in Germany

Chemoembolization is an important component of cancer treatment that allows controlling the tumor growth. However, there are some questions concerning the procedure, which we’ll try to answer below.

Content

1. About chemoembolization
2. What diseases are treated with chemoembolization?
3. How is chemoembolization carried out?
4. What happens during chemoembolization?
5. How often can you undergo chemoembolization?
6. What can be expected after transarterial chemoembolization?
7. What are possible side effects of chemoembolization?
8. How does the patient feel during and after chemoembolization?
9. Advantages of transarterial chemoembolization
10. Why undergo treatment in Germany?
11. Where to undergo chemoembolization in Germany?
12. Prices for treatment with chemoembolization in Germany
13. How to undergo chemoembolization in Germany?

About chemoembolization

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a minimally invasive method of the treatment that belongs to the sphere of interventional radiology. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) also belong to interventional radiology.

Among other radiology methods, the essence of transarterial chemoembolization is in the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to the arteries bringing blood supply to the tumor. This is followed by the closure of these arteries with special particles. As a consequence, the antitumor therapeutic effect is achieved both due to the long-lasting chemotherapy action, and due to the necrosis of the tumor as a result of cutting off blood flow to it.

What diseases are treated with chemoembolization?

This method is widely used for cancer treatment since tumors usually have an active arterial blood supply. Chemoembolization is used for patients with stomach cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, etc.

Mandatory requirements for including chemoembolization into the cancer treatment regimen are:

• Suitable vascular structure (blood supply to the whole area of the tumor)
• Normal kidneys and liver function
• Satisfactory general health condition

Of course, there are contraindications to the use of the treatment method. This is the intolerance to iodine-containing drugs, the severe overall condition, severe heart insufficiency, etc.

As a rule, chemoembolization is used for primary or secondary (metastases) cancer treatment, as well as for treatment of patients with poor response to systemic chemotherapy.

How is chemoembolization carried out?

Before transarterial chemoembolization in Germany, there is a consultation with the physician in the interventional radiology department. During the consultation the doctor tells patients about possible risks and side effects of transarterial chemoembolization and the local use of cytostatic drugs.

The procedure itself begins with the local anesthesia and catheterization of the femoral artery. Then, a special catheter is inserted through the artery. When the catheter reaches the targeted region, a chemotherapeutic drug is slowly introduced through it.

After the solution is introduced, it reduces the blood flow in the tumor vessels. If necessary, gelatin or plastic particles can also be introduced, which clog vessels and lead to further reduction of blood flow. Upon completion of chemoembolization, the catheter is removed, and patients stay under the medical supervision for the next 6 hours. Within 24-48 hours after manipulation, a control MRI or CT scan without the introduction of a contrast substance is carried out. To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, the procedure is repeated 2-3 times with an interval of four weeks.

What happens during chemoembolization?

Chemoembolization fights cancer in two ways.

Firstly, the targeted introduction of anti-tumor solution into the vessels that supply the tumor with blood allows using high doses of the chemotherapeutic agent. Secondly, the particles that are introduced into the lumen of the tumor vessels block the blood flow to neoplasm. And since the blood delivers oxygen and nutrients necessary for the tumor to grow, cutting off the blood supply significantly slows down or stops cancer development.

How often can you undergo chemoembolization?

To achieve a good medical effect, it is usually necessary to undergo two or three procedures with a time interval of 1 month.

After chemoembolization, computed tomography is used to assess the effectiveness of therapy. After that, it is recommended to undergo computed tomography twice a year in order to check whether new tumors appeared and evaluate the process of development of the existing ones.

Patients can undergo chemoembolization many times over the years if it is technically possible to carry it out.

What can be expected after transarterial chemoembolization?

The main aim of chemoembolization is to reduce the size of tumors and stop their further growth.

Complete recovery after chemoembolization is rare, but sometimes this happens. Depending on the quantity and type of tumors, chemoembolization can be applied as an independent method of treatment and in combination with other types of treatment, such as surgery or radiation therapy.

What are possible side effects of chemoembolization?

Since chemotherapy solution is injected into the tumor along with particles that block the blood flow, this reduces the intensity but does not completely exclude short-term side effects that often occur after chemotherapy cycle. Most often nausea and weakness are observed.

How does the patient feel during and after chemoembolization?

Before the procedure, drugs that prevent nausea and pain are administered. Patients may feel discomfort at the moment of introduction of the catheters, but they don’t experience severe unpleasant sensations. After chemoembolization, patients usually stay in the hospital for 1-2 days.

Moderately elevated body temperature can maintain up to two weeks after chemoembolization. Related symptoms go away after the introduction of painkillers.

Pain occurs because after the introduction of the particles into the lumen of the vessels the oxygen supply to the tumor ceases. In most cases, the post-embolization syndrome can be managed with the help of pills or injection painkillers.

Upon the hospital discharge, the doctor will give you recommendations on the outpatient taking painkillers and drugs against nausea. It is necessary to inform your doctor if the pain becomes sharp or if there is an increase in body temperature.

For 2 weeks, weakness and loss of appetite are often observed. Most patients will be able to return to their usual activities in 1 week after the procedure.

Advantages of transarterial chemoembolization

Chemoembolization has several advantages compared to methods cancer is treated with today. They include:

• This is a low traumatic for the patient procedure
• The possibility of administration in inoperable tumors
• The minimum toxic effect of the chemotherapeutic drugs on the patient's body
• The ability to deliver a higher concentration of an antitumor agent to the affected organ
• The prolonged effect of the chemotherapeutic drugs on the tumor
• The minimum risk of complications during and after the procedure

Due to these advantages, chemoembolization can be effectively used in the complex treatment of patients with malignant diseases along with traditional techniques (e.g. as a preoperative therapy), in the treatment of unresectable tumors, as well as an independent method of treatment.

Why undergo treatment in Germany?

Thousands of patients undergo cancer treatment in Germany, and it’s no surprise.

First and foremost, diagnostics for cancer in Germany gives the most accurate results. It starts on the day patients arrive at German hospitals and takes several days. Properly established diagnosis and timely beginning of treatment is the key to the high efficiency of therapeutic measures.

In German hospitals, the results of therapy are excellent. In most cases, it is possible to achieve complete recovery, in others – to slow down the progression of the disease and reduce its manifestation.

Treatment in Germany is sparing. Patients with cancer treated in German hospitals report that it's easier for them to recover from therapy and surgical treatment. Complications after cancer treatment in German hospitals are minimal.

Such results are achieved thanks to the approach of German doctors to cancer treatment: the tumor is removed radically, while the effect on healthy tissues is minimal. This is possible due to the use of modern diagnostic equipment, which allows to determine the size and spreading of the tumor with the highest accuracy. In Germany, innovative treatments are used and developed such as brachytherapy, immunotherapy, surgical treatment with an endoscopic method or with operating robotic systems, and, of course, chemoembolization.

Where to undergo chemoembolization in Germany?

The leading German hospitals for chemoembolization are:

1. University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
2. Hospital Kassel
3. Charite University Hospital Berlin
4. University Hospital Saarland Homburg
5. Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch
6. MediClin Robert Janker Clinic

To know more about each medical facility and the interventional radiology departments visit the Booking Health website.

Prices for treatment with chemoembolization in Germany

The indications for chemoembolization are established after the examination by the attending physician. Chemoembolization is used in the treatment for different types of oncology. However, its most frequent indication is liver cancer.

So, let’s look at the prices for chemoembolization. Cost of treatment depends on the diagnosis:

1. Laryngeal cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,506
2. Stomach cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,442
3. Lung cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,603
4. Breast cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,652
5. Bladder cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,307
6. Adrenal cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,515
7. Liver cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,250
8. Pancreatic cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,405
9. Kidney cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,510
10. Rectal cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,200
11. Colon cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,347
12. Cervical cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,201
13. Thyroid cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,624
14. Ovarian cancer treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,670
15. Klatskin tumor treatment with chemoembolization – from €24,475

Type of the hospital (e.g. university or academic hospital) also influences the cost of treatment. The cost of embolization or chemoembolization for different cancer types (liver cancer, renal cell cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, rectal cancer, etc.) is between 24,500 EUR and 41,200 EUR.

How to undergo chemoembolization in Germany?

Organizational issues are an important component of the successful, efficient, and comfortable stay in German hospitals. Even an absolutely healthy person may find it difficult to navigate in an unfamiliar country, overcome the language barrier, and numerous routine obstacles.

Booking Health has years of experience in organizing treatment in Germany. Throughout this time, Booking Health has selected clinics and doctors. Therefore, with Booking Health you’re not only getting a fair cost of treatment and a guarantee of the quality of the specific treatment, but also an experience without the unnecessary stress.

To book chemoembolization in Germany, please, leave a request on the Booking Health website, and a medical advisor will guide you through the process.

Authors: 

The article was edited by medical experts, board-certified doctors Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk and Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova. 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

Cancer Research Institute

Cancer Support Community