Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and one of the main causes of death in the developed countries of Europe and North America. The proportion of prostate cancer among all cancers in men reaches 30-35% in some countries. The pathology is not always diagnosed characterized by a latent course. It is assumed that the actual incidence of prostate cancer is still higher than the official statistics.
The Booking Health portal presents 102 German clinics specializing in prostate cancer treatment
Show all clinicsDiagnostics of Prostate Cancer
Early examination greatly improves the chances of early detection of prostate cancer. The sooner the treatment is started, the greater the chance of its success is.
Every man over the age of 40 may voluntarily make an annual visit to healthcare centers and undergo a blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Its increased level is not clear evidence of prostate cancer development, but it is a reason for a more thorough examination of the patient.
Other methods of diagnostics:
- Digital rectal examination. In this way, cancer symptoms can be found in 50% of patients. The probability of detection depends on the location of the tumor and its size.
- Prostate ultrasound. It allows obtaining a visual image of the tumor. The technique is about 1.5 times more likely to detect prostate cancer than a digital rectal examination.
- Biopsy. It’s the main method to confirm the diagnosis, especially at the early stages, when the tumor is still not palpable and cannot be detected by ultrasound examination. The method consists of taking the prostate area part for future research. Upon detection of a tumor, a biopsy is taken. If it is not found, fragments from different areas of the prostate are taken for analysis (6-point or 12-point biopsy).
Best clinics for the prostate cancer diagnostics in Germany:
Treatment of Prostate Cancer
The therapeutic strategy depends on many factors, such as the form of the disease (localized, locally advanced, or generalized cancer); the number and location of metastases, tumor size, and patients age.
The following options are available at stage 1-3 and at the advanced cancer stages:
Radical prostatectomy is a removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles. This is the main method of treatment for prostate cancer in Germany in the case of a non-metastatic tumor. Its goal is to completely cure cancer. The operation is most effective with localized forms of pathology. Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery can be performed in good clinics, reducing the period of hospital stay and rehabilitation.
Radical prostatectomy with lymphadenectomy. In addition to the prostate, the lymph nodes, which may be affected by metastases, are also removed.
Radical prostatectomy with the help of the «daVinci» robot. Such equipment is available in the best prostate cancer treatment centers in Germany. The use of a robot-assisted system allows the surgeon to perform the more precise and less traumatic surgery for the patient, reducing the risk of postoperative or intraoperative complications, and the duration of rehabilitation. This operation will most likely preserve the potency of men.
Radiation therapy. Tumor and body regions with metastases are irradiated, resulting in neoplasm tissue destruction. It can be used as an adjunct to surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
The intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This is a more effective modification, that allows increasing the dose without causing additional damage to healthy tissue. The duration of radiation therapy and its side effects can be reduced.
Brachytherapy is a contact interstitial radiation therapy. It can be combined with external beam radiation therapy.
PSMA therapy is an alternative to chemotherapy. It is assigned if the chemotherapy is contraindicated or not successful. The essence of the treatment is the introduction of weakly radioactive substances into the human body. It binds selectively to tumor cells and slows down the growth of metastases. PSMA therapy has been successfully applied for advanced prostate cancer treatment in Germany.
High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation (HIFU). During this procedure, parts of the tumor are exposed to ultrasound. It is focused on a specific location, so it doesn’t affect healthy tissue. The procedure allows for the destruction of abnormal cells by heating them to high temperatures. It is somewhat similar to the laser treatment for prostate cancer in Germany and prostate cancer hyperthermia treatment in Germany. There is also cryoablation that uses cold instead of heating tissues.
Treatment costs in specialized German cancer centers are as follows:
- The cost of nerve-sparing da Vinci prostatectomy for prostate cancer is between 12,600 EUR and 28,200 EUR.
- The cost of radiation therapy for prostate cancer is between 14,000 EUR and 30,900 EUR.
- The cost of the interstitial brachytherapy for prostate cancer is between 13,600 EUR and 22,600 EUR.
- The cost of Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for prostate cancer is between 31,060 EUR and 44,070 EUR.
- The cost of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for prostate cancer is between 16,900 EUR and 25,150 EUR.
Prostate cancer progresses relatively slowly when compared with other oncological pathologies. However, without treatment, the 10-year survival rate of patients is only 15%.
Innovative Treatment of Prostate Cancer
Virotherapy. It is one of the unique prostate cancer treatments in Germany. The technique is also used for the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the other localizations. It is based on the introduction into the patient's body of a special strain of the virus. The virus affects only the pathologically altered cells. There are several types of oncotropic viruses. However, the first approved drug was Rigvir.
The essence of this method of treatment is the introduction of a virus, which is safe for the human, into the DNA of an atypical cell. After this, processes of its division, development, and vital activity are violated. The cell dies, and the lymphatic cells of the human body absorb and destroy its remains. This treatment option can be used, either in monotherapy or in combination with other methods.
Nanotherapy. It is a state-of-art method of treating cancer, which is based on the introduction of nanoparticles into the human body. This intervention simultaneously pursues several purposes:
- Diagnostics of the disease
- Treatment
- Monitoring the quality of the provided therapy
Multitasking of nanorobots allows them to deliver antitumor drugs exactly to the site of tumor localization, destroy metastases, and prevent the growth of new atypical cells.
Made from silicon particles have another important property. After disintegration, they secrete silicic acid, which can be used by the body to enhance regenerative processes in the bones and connective tissue. It is important for metastatic affection of other organs in patients with prostate cancer. The administration of innovative treatment options makes the cost of prostate cancer treatment in Germany somewhat higher compared to receiving treatment according to the conventional protocol.
Immunotherapy for prostate cancer
Immunotherapy for prostate cancer involves the use of the following two types of drugs:
- Anticancer dendritic cell-based vaccines
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors
The main immunotherapy drug for prostate cancer is the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (Keytruda). It prevents the tumor from evading attacks from the immune system. This cancer immunotherapy option is not applicable to all patients. It is used for high microsatellite instability levels and changes in the MSI or MMR genes.
Dendritic cells for prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the only cancer in which dendritic cells (DCs) are used not as an experimental treatment but as a standard therapeutic option. They have been used since 2010.
The Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) prostate cancer vaccine is made from the patient's autologous dendritic cells activated by prostatic acid phosphatase. The vaccination for prostate cancer is carried out three times at intervals of 2 weeks. The drug was approved in the United States, Europe, and other countries after studies showed dendritic cell therapy for prostate cancer increased patient survival rates. It is used at stage one-three and at the advanced cancer stages.
Other methods of prostate cancer treatment with dendritic cells also exist. However, they are still tested in clinical trials and are not part of standard therapy for prostate cancer.
We also recommend that you watch the video on our YouTube channel "Booking Health", where the leading specialists of the specialized clinic talk about the advantages and peculiarities of dendritic cell therapy.
Best clinics for the prostate cancer treatment in Germany:
Catholic Clinic Koblenz-Montabaur
Rehabilitation after Prostate Cancer Treatment
After treatment of complex oncological diseases, most patients require rehabilitation. It includes the following aspects:
- Prevention of complications that may occur as a result of treatment. It can be pneumonia, lymphostasis, thromboembolic, or infectious complications.
- Restoration of general health. The elimination of the consequences after surgeries and chemotherapy is carried out. The functions of internal organs are restored with the help of various medical and rehabilitation measures.
- Restoration of occupation. A person must not just stay alive. He must have physical and intellectual capabilities, which are sufficient for employment.
- Psychological support. First of all, it is required for patients, whose occupational performance was harmed because of the disease. Patients with deterioration of appearance also will benefit from psychological help.
- Restoration of appearance. If necessary, you can use surgical and other methods in Germany to restore the appearance defects caused by cancer. For example, to carry out the reconstruction of the breast.
- Social and domestic rehabilitation. A person with reduced workability is trained to act in society and perform everyday tasks in new conditions.
In German clinics, rehabilitation is carried out comprehensively. Patients are provided with qualitative care here. Doctors' monitoring and conservative treatment allow for avoiding complications, which usually happen after treatment of oncological diseases. Psychotherapy, physiotherapy, and physical therapy are actively used in Germany.
Specialists in different medical spheres take part in the rehabilitation process. These are massage therapists, speech therapists, specialists in physiotherapy exercises, and physiotherapists. Social and occupational therapy is carried out, as well. If necessary, people are taught how to eat properly, take care of a colostomy or urostomy, etc.
In Germany, rehabilitation is carried out with the maximum comfort for the patient. A person feels the results quite quickly and it improves his motivation and promotes further recovery.
Best clinics for oncological rehabilitation in Germany:
Author:
The article was edited by a medical expert, board-certified 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 Information
The cost of services includes
Here you can find the cost of treatment for this disease at the German University Hospitals. Leave a request and we will provide a free consultation with a doctor and will start organizing the whole treatment process.
The program includes the following:
- Issuing of an invitation for getting a visa for treatment as quick as possible
- Fixing an appointment at a time convenient for you
- Preliminary organization of a comprehensive examination and discussion of the forthcoming treatment plan
- Arranging transfer from the airport to the hospital and back to the airport
- Provision of interpreting services and services of a personal medical coordinator
- If necessary, assistance in the organization of further surgical treatment
- Provision of a medical insurance against treatment complications covering up to 200,000 euro
- Preparation and translation of medical records and recommendations from the hospital
- Assistance in the subsequent communication with your attending physician, including consultations on repeated X-ray images through the unique medical document management system E-doc
