Diagnostic of Lung Cancer in Germany
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Department of Pulmonology
The Department of Pulmonology offers the full range of modern medical services to patients with respiratory diseases. The medical facility has well-equipped diagnostic rooms where patients can undergo pulmonary function tests, imaging tests of the chest organs, and endoscopic examinations. The department’s specialists have unique experience in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, interstitial lung disease, infectious lesions of the respiratory system, and pleural diseases. In addition, the department's doctors specialize in the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders (special focus on the care of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea) and long-term non-invasive ventilation. The department has state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, ensuring the recovery of patients even in the most complex clinical cases. The department annually admits more than 2,100 inpatients, and a large number of people receive consultations on an outpatient basis.
Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmonology
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 modern medicine. A distinctive feature of the hospital is the presence of unique therapeutic methods for the treatment of complex and rare clinical cases.
Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology ranks among the top German medical facilities specializing in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases! The department offers all the modern medical options for the diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system and lungs. The department's doctors have extensive experience and expert knowledge for the provision of competent medical care to patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, heart valve defects, cardiomyopathies, as well as hypertension. All the advanced diagnostic methods are available in the department. Special attention is paid to interventional therapy of various cardiovascular pathologies.
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, Allergology, Endocrinology and Diabetology
The Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Pulmonology, Allergology, Endocrinology and Diabetology offers the full diagnostic and therapeutic range of services in the fields of its specialization. The department specializes in liver pathologies and oncological diseases of the bronchi, endocrine glands, liver, biliary tract, pancreas and other gastrointestinal organs. In addition, the department is a recognized Diabetes Center. The service range is complemented by dietology. The treatment is provided in accordance with the international protocols using the very latest medicines.
Department of Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonology and Intensive Care
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Cardiology, Angiology, Pulmonology and Intensive Care ranks among the top German medical facilities of this kind! The department offers the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services in these fields. The main areas of specialization include interventional cardiac catheterization, including stent implantation, treatment of myocardial infarction, structural heart diseases, interventional therapy of heart valve (for example, TAVI and MitraClip techniques), electrophysiological examinations, ablation procedures, implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators, as well as diagnostic and interventional angiology, highly specialized treatment of lung diseases. The emergency cardiac care is provided in the department around the clock. The department operates in accordance with the very latest medical standards and has DIN EN ISO 9001 certification.
Department of Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology and Pulmonology
The Department of Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nephrology and Pulmonology offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment of all diseases of the heart and blood vessels, pathologies of the endocrine organs, including diabetes mellitus, as well as diseases of the kidneys, lungs and respiratory tract. The department has in its arsenal an advanced medical infrastructure, which allows to provide the high-precision diagnostics and the most effective treatment of even the most complex clinical cases. At the center of all efforts of the department’s medical team is the patient, his health and a positive emotional mood for a favorable therapy outcome.
Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Angiology ranks among the top German departments specializing in cardiovascular diseases! It provides an accurate diagnostics and effective treatment of all diseases of the cardiovascular system, lungs, and respiratory tract. The highly qualified world-class specialists work with patients. Various functional and imaging examination techniques are available for the accurate diagnostics. Also, the department has state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
Department of Pulmonology
The Department of Pulmonology offers the full range of accurate diagnostics and effective treatment of acute and chronic lung diseases, including infectious pulmonary lesions, on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The department's doctors have advanced equipment, conventional and innovative diagnostic and treatment techniques. All this creates the conditions for the organization of first-class medical care focused on the results and the best possible benefit for the patient.
Department of Pulmonology
The Department of Pulmonology provides the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients with diseases of the lungs, bronchi, and upper respiratory tract. The department's areas of specialization include the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Doctors have rich clinical experience in treating lung cancer, pleural mesothelioma, and malignant mediastinal tumors. The department's team of doctors conducts conservative therapy and performs interventional procedures on the chest organs (more than 1,200 bronchoscopy procedures every year). If a patient requires a major surgery, thoracic surgeons will be involved in the therapeutic process. The department has modern equipment, Intensive Care Units, and an advanced Sleep Laboratory. The health of patients is in the safe hands of a highly qualified team of 28 doctors. The medical facility has 41 beds to accommodate patients.
Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pulmonology
The Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pulmonology specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of the entire spectrum of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system, and respiratory tract. The gastroenterologists and hepatologists of the department focus on patients with oncological diseases of the digestive system, pancreas and gallbladder, neuroendocrine tumors, benign liver and pancreatic diseases, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease. In the field of pulmonology, the medical facility specializes in the treatment of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, lung, bronchial, tracheal, and laryngeal cancers, and cystic fibrosis. The department has state-of-the-art endoscopic equipment that allows physicians to perform a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Patients also have access to comfortable ultrasound rooms and a laboratory for functional diagnostics of the gastrointestinal tract. The department's team of physicians works closely with abdominal and thoracic surgeons to ensure that each patient receives effective treatment that meets their individual needs and desires.
Department of Pulmonology
The Department of Pulmonology offers all the options of modern medicine for the diagnostics and treatment of lung diseases. The specialists of the department mostly deal with the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer and sleep-related breathing disorders. The department has an in-house Intensive Care Unit with the possibility of invasive and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, as well as other intensive care procedures. To provide the accurate diagnostics, the department offers state-of-the-art endoscopic examinations.
Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmonology
The Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmonology offers the full range of modern diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, pathological lesions of the arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels, as well as various respiratory diseases. It is worth noting that the department's cardiologists carry out not only drug therapy for heart diseases, but also many interventional procedures, including TAVI, MitraClip, left atrial appendage closure in case of atrial fibrillation, balloon valvuloplasty and many others. The interventional therapeutic procedures for diseases of the heart, arteries, veins and lymphatic vessels are performed in specially equipped catheterization laboratories. Of particular interest in the field of pulmonology are bronchoscopy, endoscopic lung volume reduction and lung cancer treatment in collaboration with thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiation therapists and other physicians. The department's specialists give preference to an individual approach to each patient. They use only modern and reliable treatment methods that guarantee an optimal result.
Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmonology
The Department of Cardiology, Angiology and Pulmonology offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment of all diseases of the cardiovascular system, lungs and bronchi, as well as veins and arteries, both on an outpatient and inpatient basis. The department specializes in the treatment of coronary heart disease, heart valve diseases, heart arrhythmias, congenital and acquired heart defects, as well as of inflammatory cardiovascular diseases.
Department of Pulmonology
The Department of Pulmonology offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract (pathologies of the trachea and bronchi, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and lungs (pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer), pulmonary hypertension, pleural diseases (pleurisy, pleural mesothelioma), sleep-related breathing disorders (obstructive/central sleep apnea), as well as pathologies of the respiratory muscles. The department also specializes in the treatment of rare lung diseases. Lung cancer treatment is based on an interdisciplinary approach and is carried out with the participation of specialists from the Comprehensive Cancer Center Dresden: oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, psychologists and other doctors. The department has a specialized laboratory for the treatment of the consequences or complications of the coronavirus infection. All diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are performed in accordance with modern clinical protocols. The department's doctors specialize in the drug therapy and endoscopic treatment of pulmonary diseases, and if surgical treatment is required, thoracic surgeons are involved in the process.
Department of Pulmonology, Internal Intensive Care, Infectology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology
The Department of Pulmonology, Internal Intensive Care, Infectology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology offers the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services in these areas. The department specializes in the treatment of diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract, kidney, gastrointestinal diseases, infectious diseases. The scope of tasks of the department’s doctors also includes all modern measures in the field of intensive care. The medical team of the department has at its disposal many latest examination methods and innovative therapeutic techniques.
Department of Pulmonology
The Department of Pulmonology offers the full range of medical services in the areas of its competence and specializes in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Particular attention is paid to the diagnostics and treatment of pneumonia, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pleurisy, occupational lung diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The department is part of the Lung Cancer Center certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG), and therefore pulmonologists actively cooperate with thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, radiation therapists and other specialists. In addition, the department's doctors specialize in the treatment of allergic diseases, including bronchial asthma. The department is one of the few German medical facilities dealing with the treatment of patients with diseases caused by asbestos exposure. The department employs a highly professional team of doctors, for whom the health of patients and their needs are always in the first place. The medical facility uses thoroughly elaborated pharmacotherapy regimens, and in complex cases, artificial ventilation is carried out in specially equipped patient rooms. Patients receive medical care on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.
Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases with an unfavorable prognosis. Therefore, it is very important to timely detect it. Once the tumor is detected, a patient will undergo diagnostic tests for the clarification of its location, the presence of metastases, genetic and molecular specificities. The high-precision diagnostics allows the doctor to better plan the treatment, thereby ensuring its high efficiency.
Is it possible to detect lung cancer early?
Lung cancer can be detected with X-ray or low-dose CT scan. The recent researches have shown that X-ray examinations almost do not influence the patient's survival. Therefore, only computed tomography can be used for preventive examination. In developed countries, it is carried out once a year in patients who are over 55 years old, who smoke or quitted smoking less than 15 years ago.
Most patients do not undergo lung cancer screening. They see a doctor only after the onset of symptoms. The main signs are:
- Non-productive cough
- Hemoptysis
- Thoracic pain, which worsens on breathing in
- Ragged breathing
- Wheezing
- Weight loss, poor appetite, fatigue and weakness
Most types of lung cancers, which are detected only after the onset of symptoms, cannot be treated surgically. By this time, the disease is usually in a far advanced stage.
Tumor detection
The following tests are mostly used to detect lung tumors:
- Chest X-ray
- CT scan
The patient visits a hospital either after the onset of symptoms, or after the detection of a tumor-like formation during an X-ray or low-dose CT scan. After that, he is prescribed the standard computed tomography with the introduction of a contrast agent. This is the main method, which allows the doctor to detect the primary tumor, to clarify its location, size, to detect enlarged lymph nodes.
Material sampling for analysis
Lung cancer diagnosis should be confirmed within the laboratory. This requires the detection of cancer cells or obtaining tumor tissue for analysis.
The material for cytological examination can be obtained as follows:
- Sputum sampling, which the patient collects 3 days in a row, in the morning
- Bronchial lavage, if sputum cannot be sampled
- Pleural puncture, which is performed if the fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity (it is pumped out with a needle, which the doctor inserts between the ribs)
A tumor sample for analysis can be obtained as a result of a biopsy. The method of its performance depends on the location of the tumor. The doctors usually use a thin needle and perform aspiration. Such material is sent for cytological examination. For histological examination, the material is taken using a thicker needle, while a tissue column remains inside of it after the insertion.
A biopsy needle can be inserted as follows:
- Through the esophagus or trachea during an endoscopic examination
- By means of bronchoscopy, if the neoplasm is located in the area, which is accessible for the endoscope (closer to the large bronchi)
- Through the skin of the thorax, usually under the guidance of computed tomography
- During diagnostic thoracoscopy – a minimally invasive operation, which allows the doctor to assess the spread of the tumor process
The type of lung cancer can be determined according to the results of the histological examination of a tumor sample. It influences on the selection of treatment tactics. According to the information about the histological type and spread of the tumor process, a decision is made on the feasibility of surgery and the application of conservative treatment regimens.
Molecular tests
German clinics carry out molecular tests in order to determine the best treatment option for lung cancer. These tests can determine the following aspects:
- 20% of patients have changes in the EGFR and KRAS genes
- 5% of patients have ALK changes
- 5% of cases are characterized by BRAF mutations
- 5% of cases are characterized by the restructuring of ROS1 and RET genes
In the case of detection of some changes, the targeted therapy becomes effective. The patients who undergo it can live longer with inoperable lung cancer.
Clarifying diagnostic tests
Clarifying diagnostic tests are used in already established diagnosis. They allow the doctor to determine the location, size of the tumor, its shape, the presence of metastases, spread to neighboring organs and tissues. According to the results of such an examination, a decision is made whether an operation is required. If surgical treatment is performed, then clarifying techniques allow the doctor to better plan the operation.
Computed tomography is the most informative test for the diagnostics of lung cancer. With its help, it is possible not only to detect a tumor for the first time, but also to establish its configuration, its relationship with surrounding tissues, and assess the state of lymph nodes. It is possible to perform CT scans of other areas of the body, such as the liver, for the detection of metastatic foci.
MRI is used for the detection of metastases in the central nervous system.
PET can detect metastatic foci of any location, although it does not allow the doctors to detail the particular areas.
Bone X-ray can detect lung cancer metastases in the bone.
Ultrasound scan is performed by means of insertion of the sensor in large bronchi or esophagus. It allows the doctor to detect enlarged lymph nodes without additional radiation influence on the body.
Sometimes such invasive diagnostic procedures as mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, thoracoscopy can be used for the clarification of the tumor spread.
Diagnostics in Germany with the Booking Health company
To undergo the diagnostics and treatment of lung cancer in Germany, please use the services of the Booking Health company. We provide the following benefits:
- Selection of the best clinic, which specializes in the diagnostics of lung cancer, chemotherapy, surgical treatment, immunotherapy and other treatment methods of this disease.
- Reduced costs of medical services up to 50% due to the lack of overpricing and additional coefficients for foreign patients.
- Booking an appointment on the most suitable dates for you.
- Preparation of the diagnostic program, chemotherapy or other treatment methods, taking into account previously performed diagnostic tests.
- Establishment of communication directly with the attending physician.
- Monitoring of the program for lung cancer diagnostics or treatment of this disease at all stages.
- Control of invoices, return of unspent funds.
- Buying and forwarding medicines.
- Organization of additional diagnostics or therapy.
- Communication with the clinic upon treatment completion.
The Booking Health company will provide top-class services. We will book a hotel and airline tickets for you, meet you at the German airport and take you to the clinic by car.
