Treatment of Ovarian Cancer in Germany

Ovarian cancer is quite a common type of oncology and over the past decade there is a tendency to its growing incidence. Compared to other forms of oncology, ovarian cancer seems to be more beneficial, with better perspectives concerning therapy. Unfortunately, patients are usually diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the advanced stages, because this oncology is practically asymptomatic. Due to these reasons, as well as due to the low rate of preventive examinations, a malignant ovarian tumor can be diagnosed at the early stages only in 25% of cases.

Сontent

1. Early diagnostics of ovarian cancer in Germany
2. Surgery for the treatment of ovarian cancer
3. Conservative ovarian cancer treatment in Germany
4. Peculiarities of ovarian cancer treatment you should know about
5. Rehabilitation
6. Advantages of treatment in German hospitals
7. Cost of treatment
8. How to arrange treatment of ovarian cancer in Germany?

Early diagnostics of ovarian cancer in Germany

Early diagnosis of ovarian cancer in many countries is impossible because of the lack of special tests and advanced high-precision equipment that experienced doctors can use. Therefore, in 80% of cases, the diagnosis is made with a large delay, when the tumor has spread to the peritoneum.

Many cases of ovarian cancer in Germany are diagnosed at the initial stages of the neoplasm development, which is connected with the technical background of German hospitals. The treatment of ovarian cancer in Germany starts with the physical examination and vaginal examination, after which the following diagnostic procedures may be needed:

• Blood test for tumor markers
• Transvaginal ultrasound scan (detects pathological changes in the cervix uteri, uterus, and ovaries)
• Computed tomography (gives comprehensive information on the location of the primary tumor)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (reveals metastases)
• Biopsy (allows studying pathologically changed cells in the laboratory and determining the type of tumor)

Ovarian cancer diagnostics in German hospitals may also include computed tomography combined with a positron-emission one (PET / CT), which significantly improves the quality of examination.

Surgery for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Women with ovarian cancer often undergo surgical treatment. Therefore, operations for malignant ovarian tumors in Germany are carried out at all stages of the development of the process.

At the earliest stage of development of the disease in young patients, the first-line surgery is the removal of one ovary. Sparing the second ovary allows preserving the reproductive function. However, such surgical interventions are conducted rarely, since the average age of patients with ovarian cancer is about 50 years.

At the advanced stages of the malignant process, when the radical removal of all cancer cells is not possible, oncologists in Germany resort to cytoreductive surgeries, the purpose of which is to destroy the maximum possible volume of tumor tissue. The same surgeries are indicated to women with the recurrence of the already operated tumor. This approach can significantly reduce the required doses of chemotherapeutic drugs if further cancer treatment with chemotherapy is planned.

Conservative ovarian cancer treatment in Germany

As a rule, patients start cancer treatment in Germany at such a stage of process development, when surgery must be complemented by conservative cancer treatment methods, such as:

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy (hormone-sensitive tumors make up about 5% of all malignant ovarian neoplasms)
• Targeted therapy (administering monoclonal antibodies, as well as drugs purposefully affecting neoplasm’ blood vessels)
• Radiation therapy (used in case of resistance to other methods of treatment)

The advantages of German oncology include the use of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). HIPEC is the introduction of high doses of heated antitumor drugs into the abdominal cavity during the operation (after removal of a major volume of tumor). Such a method can significantly reduce the risk of recurrence due to the impact on the preserved cancer cells. In addition, HIPEC has low risk of complications and side effects.

The high quality of postoperative rehabilitation measures in German hospitals makes it possible to carry out radical operations in elderly patients, which usually include the removal of the tumor together with the internal genitals (uterus and appendages) and affected lymph nodes. Such comprehensive cancer treatment gives good results.

Another important advantage of ovarian cancer treatment in Germany is a high level of development of German rehabilitation medicine, allowing patients to return to the usual rhythm of life in the shortest possible time.

Peculiarities of ovarian cancer treatment you should know about

Therapy for ovarian cancer has several peculiarities. At the early stages of cancer development, the surgical method is usually a preferred one. Advanced cancer stages require the use of combined treatment methods, e.g. surgery followed by HIPEC or systemic chemotherapy. Only with complex therapy, patients may achieve the complete recovery. As it was mentioned before, German specialists apply specific methods for the treatment of ovarian cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, immunotherapy, and other ones.

Surgery can include a radical removal of ovaries with the extirpation of the uterus and appendages. In menopausal women such intervention is carried out regardless of whether all the above-listed anatomical structures are affected or not. With ovarian cancer, there is a high risk of metastasizing, so it is necessary to prevent the spread of malignant cells.

Chemotherapy is used as the second stage of the combined ovarian cancer treatment. German specialists prefer polychemotherapy when several chemotherapeutic agents are administered. As a rule, chemotherapy is prescribed after surgery or as palliative treatment.

Radiation therapy is sometimes used as an alternative to chemotherapy. In some cases, preoperative radiation therapy is prescribed to reduce the size of the neoplasm. Postoperative irradiation is used to destroy the remaining malignant cells.

The use of robotic medical systems and the stereotactic radiosurgery for high-precision irradiation of tumors made a breakthrough in the field of oncology. To date, all modern types of stereotactic radiosurgery are used in German hospitals. Thanks to this method, it is possible to treat not only the primary tumor but also remote metastases. In this case, there is no negative effect on healthy tissues. After just a few sessions of stereotactic radiosurgery, the size of the neoplasms is reduced significantly.

Another method that is considered an alternative to surgery in women with advanced cancer is immunotherapy. The optimal immunological agent is selected for the patient individually. The drug is introduced into the body intravenously and accumulates in tissues of malignant neoplasms. When using immunotherapy, negative influence on healthy tissues is minimal.

Rehabilitation

After the course of the ovarian cancer treatment in Germany, patients start a comprehensive oncological rehabilitation, which includes:

• Correction of negative consequences of therapy (both physical and psychological)
• Supporting treatment
• Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome
• Selection of individual regimens for weight restoration
• Special physiotherapeutic procedures
• Social and medical support for reintegration into the everyday life

In addition to physical rehabilitation, German specialists also pay attention to psychological recovery. Doctors develop a complex of corresponding medical measures. If necessary, hormonal replacement therapy and other rehabilitation measures are used.

All interventions are carried out in comfortable conditions. When it becomes possible, a patient is discharged from the hospital for outpatient follow-up or home regimen under the control of the doctor. Patients who are treated both in private and state healthcare facilities can undergo rehabilitation programs in German hospitals.

Advantages of treatment in German hospitals

Cancer treatment in Germany has its advantages, which include:

• High qualifications of doctors and nursing staff. German oncologists are famous for their competence confirmed by a high percentage of recoveries, rare complications and relapses after cancer therapy.
• Well-equipped clinics, where the modern methods for the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological oncological diseases are used.
• The cost of treatment of ovarian cancer in Germany is optimal and depends on diagnostic surgical and therapeutic measures administered to patients.
• An individual approach to each clinical case. The modern diagnostic base of hospitals and involvement of doctors of different specializations help to select the optimal complex of therapeutic measures.
• The possibility of carrying out the comprehensive examination.
• High-quality rehabilitation in the postoperative period. Special recovery programs, comfortable conditions of stay, and friendly atmosphere help patients to return to their everyday life easier.

Highly qualified German doctors use all modern treatments and effective medications. Participation in clinical investigations is also possible for eligible patients. Therefore, reviews about the therapy of ovarian cancer in Germany are only positive.

Cost of treatment

Patients and their relatives should understand that treatment in such a country as Germany cannot be cheap or held for free. There are many factors that determine costs of medical services, including the overall development of the country and the level of development of the economy. The cost of treatment for ovarian cancer in Germany may vary. The overall cost of treatment depends on the performed diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Considering that people need to know what to count on, approximate prices for therapeutic interventions are given below:

• The cost of hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy and lymphadenectomy for ovarian cancer with spreading to the pelvic organs and lymph nodes is between 52,100 EUR and 92,700 EUR.
• The cost of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer is between 4,650 EUR and 12,200 EUR.
• The cost of cytoreductive surgery and HIPEC for ovarian cancer is between 51,800 EUR and 92,400 EUR.

The average price of oncological rehabilitation after ovarian cancer treatment in Germany is 1,190 EUR per day, the minimum price is 1,041 EUR per day, and the maximum price is 1,553 EUR per day. To find more prices for specific procedures visit the Booking Health website.

How to arrange treatment of ovarian cancer in Germany?

You can save your time, money, and energy by using the services of Booking Health. Booking Health is the company that organizes the treatment in Germany for you.

Booking Heath communicates with the chosen hospital, provides help with visa issuing, books flight tickets and accommodation, provides the services of a personal interpreter, and supports you throughout your treatment journey. Besides, Booking Health will assist in choosing a specific medical center or physician.

If you want to know more about the treatment of ovarian cancer in Germany, then qualified specialists of Booking Health will help you get answers to all your questions.

Authors: 

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

Cancer Research Institute

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Johns Hopkins Medicine