Treatment of Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) in Germany

Diagnostics

Since NETs can involve different types of cells that perform different functions in the body of patients, symptoms can be very different. In addition to non-specific symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, and anemia, specific symptoms such as acromegaly (marked enlargement of the hands, feet, skull, or protruding body parts), Cushing's syndrome, or gastrointestinal ulcers may occur.

In the descending by frequency order, NETs are detected in the appendix (cecum), small intestine, rectum, and bronchi. In the presence of metastases in the liver, the already mentioned carcinoid syndrome often develops. The signs of carcinoid syndrome are redness of the face, diarrhea, narrowing of the bronchi, low blood pressure, etc.

During a visit, a doctor collects anamnesis of patients and conducts examination. After that, various laboratory parameters and the level of hormones in the patients’ blood will be determined. Then imaging methods will be applied, which include X-ray examination, ultrasound scanning, computed or magnetic resonance imaging (CT / MRI), bone scintigraphy, and especially – positron emission tomography (PET).

Often, a tissue sample is taken from the affected organ for further histological and immunohistochemical research during the endoscopic examination.

Laboratory identification of bioactive substances produced by neuroendocrine cells in blood/urine is very important for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors.

Treatment

Recently, oncologists have been increasingly using drugs that destroy neuroendocrine tumor cells by delivering a targeted dose of radiation to them. It is a safe method of treatment of cancer patients, which has proven effectiveness in the treatment of thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, some brain tumors (meningiomas), and prostate cancer. Such treatment is currently possible with the use of a drug labeled with the isotope Lutetium-177.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is a molecularly targeted procedure for the treatment of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). In the last decade, this type of therapy has been used in Europe to improve the prognosis in patients with NETs.

Drugs for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy are solutions that are administered intravenously for 10-20 minutes. After that, the doctors monitor patients’ condition for at least 48 hours. Usually, for each injection of the drug, patients are hospitalized for 4-5 days. A total of 3 to 5 treatment cycles are needed, with intervals of 8 weeks. The effectiveness of the drug is checked using scintigraphy combined with computed tomography. During treatment, blood tests are performed; kidney and liver function is monitored.

NET cells usually express receptors for the hormone somatostatin. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy uses radiopharmaceuticals, in which a radioactive isotope is bound to a tumor-targeting protein (peptide) – an analogue of somatostatin. When radiopharmaceuticals enter the bloodstream via intravenous injection, they bind to somatostatin receptors on the surface of NET cells. Tumor cells absorb the radioactive substance and die.

This therapy is called targeted, since the drug targets tumor cells without causing harm to healthy tissues of the body. Despite the use of radioactive substances, radiation exposure to healthy cells is minimal.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is used to treat NETs that develop in the intestines, lungs, or pancreas, otherwise known as carcinoids or islet cell carcinomas. Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is indicated for patients with advanced metastatic NETs who are not candidates for surgery and who do not respond well to other treatments.

Currently, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is not prescribed for children and patients with chronic kidney disease, since there is not enough data on the possible effects of treatment of such patients.

Where can I undergo treatment of neuroendocrine tumors in Germany?

Health tourism is becoming more and more popular these days, as a treatment in Germany often ensures a much better quality of neuroendocrine tumors treatment.

The following hospitals show the best success rates in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors:

1. University Hospital Duesseldorf
2. University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
3. University Hospital Ulm
4. PAN Clinic Cologne
5. University Hospital Frankfurt am Main

You can find more information about the hospitals on the Booking Health website.

The cost of treatment in Germany

The prices in hospitals listed on the Booking Health website are relatively low. With Booking Health, you can undergo neuroendocrine tumors treatment in Germany at an affordable price.

The cost of treatment varies, as the price depends on the hospital, the specifics of the disease, and the complexity of its treatment.

The cost of treatment of neuroendocrine tumors with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy is 13,310-20,790 EUR.

You might want to consider the cost of additional procedures and follow-up care. Therefore, the ultimate cost of treatment in Germany may differ from the initial price.

To make sure that the overall cost of treatment in Germany is suitable for you, contact us by leaving the request on the Booking Health website.

How can I undergo treatment of neuroendocrine tumors in Germany?

It is not easy to self-organize any treatment abroad. It requires certain knowledge and expertise. Thus, it is safer, easier, and less stressful to use the services of a medical tourism agency.

As the largest and most transparent medical tourism agency in the world, Booking Health has up-to-date information about the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors in the best hospitals in Germany. We will help you select the right clinic taking into account your wishes for treatment.

We want to help you and take on all the troubles. You can be free of unnecessary stress, while Booking Health takes care of all organizational issues regarding the treatment. Our services are aimed at undergoing treatment of neuroendocrine tumors safely and successfully.

Medical tourism can be easy! All you need to do is to leave a request on the Booking Health website, and our manager will contact you shortly.

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko