google_counter
Mesothelioma Treatment in Germany - Best Hospitals, Doctors, Prices - Booking Health

Treatment of Mesothelioma in Germany

Mesothelioma Treatment in Germany | Information about hospitals and doctors | Rankings | Clinics | Prices | Send request to the hospital

Best hospitals and doctors for mesothelioma treatment in Germany

Leading hospitals

Cost for treatment

Diagnosis of mesothelioma with biopsy
5845.5
Multimodality treatment of mesothelioma with cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC
51792
Treatment of mesothelioma with chemotherapy
6128.42
Treatment of mesothelioma with pleurectomy
13664.38
Cancer rehabilitation
0.00
ViDia Hospital Karlsruhe
Germany, Karlsruhe
ViDia Hospital Karlsruhe
Overall rating9.8 / 10
The ViDia Hospital Karlsruhe is a modern medical facility with a rich history and traditions. The medical complex is an academic hospital of the University of Freiburg, granting patients access to advanced university medicine and the very latest therapeutic developments. The hospital first opened its doors in 1851 and, since the
Augustinerinnen Hospital Cologne
Germany, Cologne
Augustinerinnen Hospital Cologne
Overall rating10 / 10
According to the reputable Focus magazine, the Augustinerinnen Hospital Cologne ranks among the top medical facilities in North Rhine-Westphalia! The medical facility is an academic hospital of the University of Cologne, thanks to which it provides patients with highly effective treatment using the latest medical advances. The h
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Heidelberg
Germany, Heidelberg
University Hospital Heidelberg
Overall rating9.8 / 10
According to Focus magazine, the University Hospital Heidelberg ranks among the top five hospitals in Germany! The hospital is one of the most advanced and reputable medical institutions not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. There are more than 43 specialized departments and 13 medical institutes, which cover all fields of
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital RWTH Aachen
Germany, Aachen
University Hospital RWTH Aachen
Overall rating8.7 / 10
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital RWTH Aachen ranks among the top German hospitals! As a maximum care university medical facility, the hospital guarantees patients first-class medical services combined with a respectful and human attitude. The hospital integrates all the modern options for the
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
Germany, Frankfurt am Main
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
Overall rating10 / 10
According to the reputable Focus magazine, the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main ranks among the top German medical facilities! The hospital was founded in 1914 and today is a well-known German medical facility, which combines rich traditions and scientific innovations. A medical team of more than 6,500 employees cares about
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Jena
Germany, Jena
University Hospital Jena
Overall rating8.9 / 10
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital Jena regularly ranks among the top German medical facilities! The hospital has positioned itself as a multidisciplinary medical facility with a long history of more than 200 years. Since its foundation, the hospital has been constantly developing and modernizin
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Würzburg
Germany, Würzburg
University Hospital Würzburg
Overall rating9.2 / 10
According to the Focus magazine in 2019, the University Hospital Würzburg ranks among the top national German hospitals! The hospital is one of the oldest medical facilities in Germany. The centuries-old traditions of first-class treatment are combined with the very latest achievements of modern evidence-based medicine and
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Duesseldorf
Germany, Duesseldorf
University Hospital Duesseldorf
Overall rating9.5 / 10
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the University Hospital Duesseldorf ranks among the top Germany hospitals! The hospital is an excellent example of a combination of high-quality health care, research and teaching activities. With more than 50,000 inpatients and about 300,000 outpatients every year, the hospital is
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
Charite University Hospital Berlin
Germany, Berlin
Charite University Hospital Berlin
Overall rating9 / 10
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the Charite University Hospital Berlin occupies the first place in the rating of the top German medical facilities! The hospital is one of the largest and leading university medical complexes in Europe. The hospital in Germany provides modern diagnostics and treatment of patients, a
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is regularly ranked among the best medical institutions in Germany! The hospital is the largest multidisciplinary medical facility, as well as a leading research and training center in Germany and Europe. The hospital is proud of i
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Halle (Saale)
Germany, Halle
University Hospital Halle (Saale)
Overall rating9.6 / 10
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the University Hospital Halle (Saale) ranks among the top German medical facilities! The history of the hospital has more than 300 years, and during this time it managed to earn an excellent reputation not only in Germany, but throughout the world. The hospital positions itself as a s
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Marburg UKGM
Germany, Marburg
University Hospital Marburg UKGM
Overall rating8.6 / 10
The University Hospital Marburg UKGM offers patients modern diagnostics and comprehensive therapy at the international level. As a maximum care hospital, the medical facility specializes in all fields of modern medicine ranging from ophthalmology to traumatology and dentistry. The main areas of specialization of the hospital are
certificatecertificate
University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
Germany, Munich
University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
Overall rating9.8 / 10
The University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich was founded in 1834. It combines long traditions with the very latest advances in modern medicine. The medical facility includes 33 specialized departments and 20 interdisciplinary centers, where patients can receive top-class medical care in all medical fields. The hospital annuall
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Bonn
Germany, Bonn
University Hospital Bonn
Overall rating9.2 / 10
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the University Hospital Bonn ranks among the top ten medical facilities in Germany! The hospital was opened on January 1, 2001, although in fact it inherits the medical facility, which operated at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Bonn. The hospital in Germany combin
certificatecertificatecertificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Germany, Dresden
University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden
Overall rating9.1 / 10
According to the reputable Focus magazine, the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden ranks among the top five German hospitals! The hospital is the benchmark for modern high-quality medicine. Positioning itself as a maximum care medical facility, the hospital represents all medical fields. There are 26 specialized depart
certificatecertificatecertificate
University Hospital Giessen UKGM
Germany, Giessen
University Hospital Giessen UKGM
Overall rating9.5 / 10
The University Hospital Giessen UKGM positions itself as an ultramodern medical facility with outstanding quality of medical care. The hospital presents almost all areas of medicine, ranging from ophthalmology to traumatology and dentistry. The priorities of the hospital’s activities include surgery, neurosurgery, oncology
certificate
| from Booking Health GmbH

Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor that usually develops in the chest or abdomen. It is difficult to treat this neoplasm, but German doctors successfully cope with this task. The treatment of mesotheliomas in Germany involves the use of surgical operations, radiation therapy, systemic and local chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Content

  1. What is mesothelioma?
  2. Principles of mesothelioma treatment
  3. Surgical treatment
  4. Drug therapy for mesothelioma
  5. Why is it worth undergoing mesothelioma treatment in Germany?

What is mesothelioma?

 

Mesothelioma is a tumor developing from the mesothelium. The mesothelium lines the inner surface of the serous membranes. It is located in the pleura (the membrane around the lung), the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdominal cavity from the inside and internal organs), the pericardium (the pericardial sac), and the tunica vaginalis testis. Accordingly, it is in these places that mesothelioma can develop.

The pleura is the most common location for mesothelioma. Approximately 75% of all tumors grow from the membrane that covers the lung. Most of the remaining neoplasms develop in the peritoneum. Pericardial or the tunica vaginalis testis tumors are very rarely diagnosed.

Mesotheliomas can be epithelioid, sarcomatoid, and mixed according to their histological type. Epithelioid tumors are considered the most favorable in terms of the prognosis. They are also more common, accounting for more than a half of all cases of the disease.

Principles of mesothelioma treatment

 

Mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor that spreads rapidly and is often diagnosed late. Therefore, it is very difficult to cure it completely. This is possible at an early stage, but advanced stages require complex and traumatic operations, which are performed only in large Cancer Centers.

Since mesothelioma often recurs after treatment, most patients require additional procedures after surgery. As a rule, this is drug therapy and radiation therapy. Doctors in developed countries widely use local chemotherapy, in which drugs are delivered directly to the area of the tumor process. For systemic therapy, in addition to conventional cytostatic chemotherapy, doctors also use targeted therapy and immunotherapy, which help to get better results.

Radical surgery is rarely performed for the advanced stages of the disease. The tumor is sought to be reduced with the help of drugs and radiation therapy. Patients also receive palliative care to relieve symptoms, prevent, and manage complications.

Surgical treatment

 

Typically, cancer treatment begins with surgery. Mesothelioma is no exception. The tumor is removed surgically whenever possible, as this is the only treatment option that gives a patient a chance for a full recovery.

Surgical treatment of pleural mesothelioma

 

Doctors in German hospitals perform two types of radical (potentially curative) operations to treat  pleural mesothelioma. These are as follows:

  • lung decortication (pleurectomy, pleural removal surgery); 
  • pneumonectomy (removal of the lung along with the pleura). 

Lung decortication, as a radical intervention, can be performed at an early stage only. Doctors remove the entire pleura that lines the chest wall, and the pleura that covers the lung on the affected side. Additionally, the pleura is removed above the diaphragm and mediastinum. At the same time, the lung is preserved. The diaphragm and the pericardium may be preserved or removed, depending on a clinical situation.

In advanced stages, lung decortication may be performed as a palliative procedure. The main goal of surgery is eliminating symptoms and complications, preventing the accumulation of fluid in the pleura and normalizing respiratory function. In hospitals in Germany, this is a sparing and low-traumatic operation, which is performed using videothoracoscopy through short incisions on the chest.

Partial pleurectomy is performed as a palliative operation to reduce the tumor mass. Doctors do not remove the entire pleura, but most of it, which is affected by cancer. This type of surgical treatment of mesothelioma does not provide for the possibility of a complete cure. Nonetheless, the operation creates the prerequisites for further successful treatment with the help of radiation therapy and drug therapy.

Extrapleural pneumonectomy is a serious operation that can be performed in specialized hospitals only. This surgical intervention can be performed if doctors believe that mesothelioma can be cured. Basically, such an operation may become an option for:

  • epithelioid mesothelioma; 
  • mesothelioma that has not spread any metastases to the lymph nodes; 
  • a patient in good health so that he can tolerate surgery well. 

When performing surgery, a doctor removes the entire lung, pleura, diaphragm, and sometimes also the pericardium and lymph nodes. The pericardial sac and diaphragm can then be reconstructed with artificial materials.

Surgical treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma

 

Abdominal surgery performed for the treatment of mesothelioma is considered cytoreductive. A doctor's task is to remove as much of the tumor mass as possible. Cytoreduction can be as follows:

  • complete cytoreduction, which involves the removal of all tumors;
  • optimal cytoreduction, in which tumors up to 1 cm remain; 
  • suboptimal cytoreduction, in which tumors larger than 1 cm remain. 

Doctors in hospitals in Germany strive to perform a complete cytoreduction whenever possible. This provides the highest life expectancy for patients.

Even if visible tumor foci have been completely removed, there are still many small accumulations of cancer cells in the patient's abdominal cavity. They can give rise to the growth of a new tumor. Hospitals in Germany perform hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to reduce the risk of recurrence. Immediately after the operation, doctors rinse the abdominal cavity with a heated solution of chemotherapy drugs for an hour and a half. This destroys all remaining cancer cells, penetrating into tissues to a depth of several millimeters.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy works much better than conventional systemic chemotherapy because:

  • this practically does not cause any systemic toxicity: drugs work locally, so doctors can safely use high doses of drugs for a patient;
  • a solution is heated, so it destroys cancer cells better and penetrates deeper into tumor foci.

Surgical treatment of pericardial mesothelioma

 

Doctors in hospitals in Germany perform the following operations for a tumor lesion in the pericardial sac:

Pericardiectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the pericardium. This helps to cure cancer at an early stage. In the advanced stages, this surgery can be used as a palliative treatment option so that the tumor mass does not press on the heart.

Pericardial window is a minimally invasive palliative surgical procedure. Doctors make a hole in the pericardium and may insert a tube into it. In the future, drugs can be administered through it. Fluid flows through the pericardial window, so it does not accumulate inside the pericardial sac and does not compress the heart.

Surgical treatment of tunica vaginalis testis mesothelioma

 

Tunica vaginalis testis mesothelioma is very rare and this is often diagnosed intraoperatively, that is, during an operation to remove an inguinal hernia, for which this tumor is usually mistaken. With timely detection, doctors perform an orchiectomy, testicle removal surgery.

Drug therapy for mesothelioma

 

Hospitals in Germany use not only cytostatic chemotherapy, but also targeted therapy and immunotherapy for drug treatment.

Systemic chemotherapy. This treatment option can rarely be used before surgery to shrink mesothelioma and make it resectable, but more often chemotherapy is provided after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, and can also be used as the main treatment for inoperable patients. Medicines are administered intravenously. Therapy is carried out in cycles of 3-4 weeks.

Local chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs do not penetrate well into the serous membranes due to histohematological barriers that prevent the delivery of drugs from the blood. In addition, doctors cannot use high doses of drugs because of the side effects. Therefore, local chemotherapy is considered a more effective method of treatment of mesothelioma. Doctors inject chemotherapy drugs into the abdominal, thoracic, or pericardial cavities through a thin tube. High concentrations of drugs can stop the progression of cancer and reduce tumor foci. Due to histohematic barriers, drugs do not enter the systemic circulation in large quantities, so local chemotherapy has minimal toxicity and is well tolerated by patients.

Targeted therapy. Doctors in German hospitals include angiogenesis inhibitors in a scheme of systemic drug therapy. They block VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), which is a protein that ensures the growth of new blood vessels in mesothelioma. Tumors need a lot of blood for cancer cells to divide rapidly. VEGF inhibitors interfere with the trophism of mesothelioma, and therefore help curb the development of cancer. The inclusion of these drugs in the treatment regimen increases the life expectancy of patients with advanced mesothelioma.

Immunotherapy. This treatment method is very effective for mesothelioma, so it can be used in the inoperable form of this disease as a first-line therapy. Doctors use PD-1 inhibitors, CTLA-4 inhibitors, or both. They reduce the ability of the tumor to evade the immune response, and therefore stop the development of cancer or reduce the size of tumor foci.

Why is it worth undergoing mesothelioma treatment in Germany?

 

Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is difficult to fight. Successful treatment requires a team of highly professional doctors, state-of-the-art equipment, serious operations, innovative drugs, and procedures. All this is available in hospitals in Germany. There are a few reasons for you to undergo your cancer treatment in this country:

  • even the most complex operations are successfully performed, including extrapleural pneumonectomy;
  • doctors in hospitals in Germany manage to perform most cytoreductive surgeries in the scope of complete cytoreduction, which involves the removal of all tumor foci;
  • local chemotherapy is used, including HIPEC, which helps to prevent cancer recurrence and significantly increases the life expectancy of patients;
  • palliative surgery is performed using minimally invasive techniques, that is, through short incisions;
  • specialists use the latest drug treatment options, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy;
  • doctors use modern methods of radiation therapy: they irradiate the tumor more precisely, with a minimum radiation exposure to healthy tissues;
  • doctors use newly developed innovative therapies as part of clinical trials, including photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, alternating electric field therapy, and cancer vaccines.

You are welcome to use the Booking Health service to find the cost of treatment in Germany. Our website offers real prices, at which you can immediately make your treatment appointment. The company's website also lists all major hospitals in Germany where you can undergo your treatment of mesothelioma. You can sort them by price, reviews, rating, nearest free date, compare the cost of treatment in Germany, and choose the best option.

When making an appointment for your treatment in Germany through the Booking Health service, you not only make your life easier, but also save on medical services. Prices are reduced due to the lack of additional fees for foreign patients. You will receive an insurance against unexpected medical expenses up to 200,000 EUR, so the original price of the program will not increase even if additional procedures are required. The Booking Health specialists will help you to choose a clinic and organize your trip to Germany.

 

Authors: 

The article was edited by medical experts, board-certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Sergey Pashchenko. 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:

NORD - National Organization for Rare Disorders

Verywell Health

Web MD