Chemotherapy for Testicular Embryonal Carcinoma treatment
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Department of Hematology and Oncology
The Department of Hematology and Oncology treats solid malignant tumors of various localizations, blood cancer, and benign hematopoietic pathologies. A qualified team consisting of oncologists, hematologists, psycho-oncologists, physiotherapists, and experienced nursing staff takes care of the health of patients. Whenever required, doctors from related medical fields are also involved in the therapeutic process. All specialists make every effort to provide patients with effective and personalized medical services while surrounding them with care. The department is part of the Cancer Center of the hospital, which is certified according to the requirements of the German Cancer Society (DKG). The department prefers a multidisciplinary approach, holding weekly tumor boards with the participation of oncologists, hematologists, radiation therapists, and surgeons, as well as highly specialized experts in gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, etc. The department's specialists have in their arsenal modern treatment methods for malignant diseases, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and many others. Patients with advanced stages of cancer are offered palliative care aimed at alleviating pain syndrome and ensuring a decent quality of life.
Department of Oncology and Palliative Care
The Department of Oncology and Palliative Care provides palliative treatment for patients with incurable diseases. The goal of the department's doctors is to alleviate the symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of human life. The department's specialists use an individual approach to each patient and always take into account his wishes. A competent multidisciplinary team, which consists of palliative care experts, nurses, psycho-oncologists, physiotherapists and social workers, works here for the benefit of patients.
Department of Oncology and Surgical Oncology
The Department of Oncology and Surgical Oncology specializes in the conservative and surgical treatment of the full range of cancers. The department is one of the leading in the field of its competence in the international medical arena and treats patients with especially complex clinical cases. The priority focuses of the department's medical team include regional chemotherapy, hyperthermia, immunotherapy, surgical oncology and pain therapy. The goal of the department's doctors is to achieve an optimal therapeutic result with minimal damage to the healthy tissues.
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Rheumatology, Infectology and Bone Marrow Transplantation
The Department of Hematology, Oncology, Rheumatology, Infectology and Bone Marrow Transplantation offers modern diagnostics and treatment in all areas of its specialization. The medical facility treats patients with solid malignant tumors of various locations, malignant and benign diseases of the hematopoietic system, rheumatic diseases, and infections. The department enjoys a reputation as one of the leading health facilities for bone marrow transplants in Germany, which is confirmed by accreditation in accordance with JACIE standards. More than 80 allogeneic and more than 100 autologous bone marrow transplants are performed in the medical facility annually. In addition, the department successfully carries out innovative CAR T-cell therapy, which is available only in the most advanced medical centers worldwide. The department is part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm (CCCU), where a multidisciplinary team of highly professional doctors takes care of the health of patients. The high quality of medical services is confirmed by the certification of the German Cancer Society (DKG). The health of patients is in the safe hands of experienced specialists who strive to provide each patient with the most effective treatment using advanced therapeutic methods. The medical facility has 112 beds and many specialized outpatient clinics.
Department of Hematology and Oncology
The Department of Hematology and Oncology offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment of blood diseases, coagulation disorders, oncological diseases and related pathological conditions. The treatment is provided both on an outpatient and inpatient basis. The patient is offered a comprehensive treatment, including intensive care to eliminate side effects associated with the tumor and therapy, development of individual recommendations on nutrition, physiotherapeutic measures and psycho-oncological care.
Cancer Center
The Cancer Center offers the comprehensive diagnostics, effective treatment and follow-up care for patients with cancer of varying severity. Thanks to the productive research work of the center's specialists, it offers the most modern and unique treatment methods, which have no analogues in most other countries of the world. Clinical activities are mainly focused on the treatment of breast cancer, cancer of the female reproductive organs, prostate, intestinal cancer, skin cancer, head and neck tumors, malignant diseases in children, lung, liver, stomach, pancreas cancers and neuro-oncological tumors. To ensure comprehensive medical care, there is maintained close cooperation with specialists from all related fields.
Department of Hematology, Oncology, Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology
The Department of Hematology, Oncology, Adult and Pediatric Rheumatology offers the full range of modern diagnostics and treatment of malignant diseases, rheumatic pathologies, including particularly complex clinical cases in these fields. In addition, the department's doctors specialize in stem cell transplantation and occupy leading positions in this field at the international level. The medical team of the department makes every effort to guarantee each patient an individual, first-class treatment, based on the very latest achievements of modern medicine and human respect, understanding of the needs of each patient.
Department of Oncology and Hematology
The Department of Oncology and Hematology offers accurate diagnostics and effective treatment of benign and malignant blood diseases, as well as solid tumors. The department's specialists are proud of the excellent results in the field of bone marrow transplantation, which is among the department’s priority focuses. The department has 61 beds. Medical care is carried out both on an outpatient and inpatient basis.
Department of Oncology
The Department of Oncology offers the full range of diagnostics and drug therapy of malignant diseases. Particular attention is paid to the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers (colon, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver), lung cancer, connective tissue malignancies (sarcomas) and germ cell tumors. The department's doctors have in their arsenal the very latest methods of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy with innovative medicines. The necessary specialists from related fields are involved in the treatment planning, for example, surgeons, radiation therapists, specialists in radiology, gastroenterologists, pulmonologists and others. The patient receives individualized, comprehensive medical care at the highest level of university medicine. The treatment is carried out both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. The therapy regimen is determined individually for each patient, based on the characteristics of the disease and general health condition.
Department of Gastroenterology, Hematology, Oncology, Hepatology, Infectology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
The Department of Gastroenterology, Hematology, Oncology, Hepatology, Infectology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment in these fields. The department specializes in the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the digestive system, liver and bile ducts, the hematopoietic system, etc. Much attention is paid to the interdisciplinary cooperation (Cancer Center Mainfranken, etc.).
Department of Hematology and Oncology
The Department of Hematology and Oncology provides diagnostics and comprehensive treatment of diseases of the hematopoietic system, as well as solid tumors of various organs. Hematologists most often deal with the treatment of acute and chronic leukemias, malignant lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndromes, plasmacytomas and other pathologies. Chemotherapy is usually first-line therapy. The department's specialists also successfully perform bone marrow transplantation. In the field of oncology, the department provides effective treatment of various tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine glands, female and male reproductive system, skin cancer, soft tissue and bone sarcomas, head and neck malignancies, etc. The patients suffering from cancer are offered classical (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy) and innovative (immunotherapy, CAR T-cell therapy) treatment methods. Surgical resection of solid tumors is performed by specialized surgeons. The treatment regimen is developed individually for each patient at the tumor board, which plays an important role in achieving a successful treatment result.
Department of Hematology and Oncology
The Department of Hematology and Oncology offers comprehensive diagnosis and effective treatment of the entire spectrum of oncological diseases of the hematopoietic system, benign blood disorders, and solid malignancies of various localizations. The primary specialization in the department is blood cancer treatment. The department's doctors have in their arsenal many methods with scientifically proven effectiveness in the fight against cancer: chemotherapy, targeted therapy, antibody therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, as well as stem cell transplantation and innovative CAR T-cell therapy. Treatment tactics are developed taking into account the individual needs and wishes of each patient, thanks to which specialists manage to achieve good results. The department also offers maintenance therapy to alleviate the side effects of the basic course of cancer treatment and palliative care. The department has the status of a Leukemia and Lymphoma Center certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG). In addition, it is one of the few centers in Europe certified according to JACIE standards in the field of bone marrow transplantation. Competent physicians with in-depth knowledge and extensive clinical experience in their specialty care for the health of the patients.
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pulmonology
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Pulmonology ranks among the top medical facilities in Germany specializing in bowel cancer treatment! The department offers the full range of modern diagnostics and treatment of solid tumors, benign and malignant blood and hematopoietic system diseases, including bleeding disorders, as well as pathologies of the lungs and other organs of the respiratory system. The offer is complemented by effective palliative care. All physicians of the department are highly qualified experts in their area of specialization and apply theoretical knowledge and clinical experience to ensure an optimal therapy result.
Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center
Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center offers patients the full range of classical and innovative examinations, treatment of malignant diseases of all organs and anatomical structures of the human body. The spectrum is complemented by follow-up medical care, rehabilitation, modern schemes for the prevention and early detection of malignant diseases. An important component of the therapeutic process in the center is psycho-oncological care. The centerdals with the treatment of patients of all age groups, ranging from small children to elderly patients.
Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immunoncology
The Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immunoncology offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment of solid tumors, benign and malignant diseases of blood and bone marrow, rheumatic pathologies. The priority purpose of each employee in the department is to provide patients with an optimal medical care, based on the use of the very latest treatment methods. The department's specialists are distinguished by their high professionalism and colossal experience in the treatment of extremely complex clinical cases.
Department of Oncology, Hematology and Palliative Care
The Department of Oncology, Hematology and Palliative Care offers all the options of modern medicine for the treatment of patients with the pathologies in these fields. Specialization covers the treatment of cancer of the internal organs, blood cancer, symptomatic treatment of progressive incurable diseases. Other focuses of the department are intensive care medicine and special pain therapy. To achieve successful and long-term results, the clinical practice is based on the use of effective classic and innovative treatment methods.
Testicular embryonal carcinoma is the most malignant tumor of this organ, which grows rapidly and metastasizes early. Most patients with this disease receive chemotherapy, usually after the surgical removal of the tumor and lymph nodes. Doctors abroad conduct chemotherapy according to international protocols and with the use of the very latest drugs. Doctors prescribe high-quality accompanying treatment to minimize the risk of complications and reduce the number of side effects. You are welcome to use the Booking Health service to find the cost of treatment and choose a medical care program at the best price.
Content
- How often is chemotherapy given for embryonal carcinoma?
- How is chemotherapy used for testicular cancer?
- Side effects
- Chemotherapy after surgery
- Chemotherapy for advanced stages
- Where to undergo treatment?
How often is chemotherapy given for embryonal carcinoma?
Embryonal carcinoma is the most aggressive type of testicular cancer. Chemotherapy for this cancer is therefore almost always used, even at the early stages.
The choice of treatment regimen is influenced by the percentage of embryonal carcinoma in the cancer. Pure embryonal carcinomas are rare, as they account for no more than 3% of all germ cell neoplasms. Approximately 40% of these tumors, however, contain some proportion of embryonal carcinoma. These neoplasms are mixed, and therefore cancer cells of different types are simultaneously found in them. The higher the proportion of embryonal carcinoma, the worse the long-term prognosis.
The neoplasms in which the proportion of embryonal carcinoma exceeds 50% are considered aggressive. These patients almost always require chemotherapy. Nonetheless, if the proportion of embryonal carcinoma is small, the disease can be cured with a single surgical procedure at its early stage.
How is chemotherapy used for testicular cancer?
Most patients with embryonal carcinomas receive drug therapy.
Systemic chemotherapy for cancer involves the administration of drugs intravenously, less often orally. The technique targets all cancer cells in the body, wherever they are: in the testicles, regional lymph nodes, distant organs, and tissues.
Chemotherapy is carried out in cycles. Each cycle of chemotherapy for testicular cancer is followed by a rest period. Chemotherapy cycles last from 3 to 4 weeks. In total, embryonal carcinomas require 2 to 4 cycles, depending on which regimen is used, at what stage the neoplasm is detected, and what other treatment methods are planned or used in the fight against cancer.
At least two drugs are usually used at the same time. As a rule, these are the three drugs. It is important that a person be in good health. In this case, they will be able to endure cancer treatment without any severe complications. Given that most men with embryonal carcinoma are young, doctors usually manage to use optimal chemotherapy for cancer.
The most commonly used chemotherapy regimens for testicular carcinomas are:
- BEP;
- EP;
- VIP.
These are first-line treatment options. However, if the initial regimen does not work or the tumor recurs, doctors may propose another regimen, including a more intensive one, with the use of more drugs at the same time.
Side effects
Chemotherapy for cancer suppresses not only malignant cells but also ordinary ones. This treatment has the greatest effect on those cells and tissues that divide rapidly.
Therefore, chemotherapy for cancer always causes side effects. The main ones are as follows:
- hair loss;
- mouth ulcers;
- diarrhea;
- nausea;
- vomit;
- loss of appetite;
- severe weakness.
Some drugs can damage the kidneys, nerves, hearing, lungs, or bladder. When using them, swelling, tingling in the legs and arms, an abnormal feeling of cold or heat, hearing loss, shortness of breath, and blood in the urine may develop.
Most side effects are temporary. They completely disappear after the completion of chemotherapy for cancer. At oncological clinics abroad, patients receive accompanying treatment that helps support the body and relieve symptoms.
All chemotherapy drugs, without exception, depress the bone marrow. They interfere with the production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Patients, therefore, may suffer from blood clotting disorders, anemia, and weak immunity.
Chemotherapy after surgery
In most cases, the very first treatment for patients with testicular cancer is surgery. It helps to cure embryonal carcinoma completely. Most patients however also require chemotherapy to reduce the risk of a recurrence.
When performing the surgical intervention, doctors remove:
- a testicle with the spermatic cord;
- retroperitoneal lymph nodes.
It may be one or two different operations. It depends on the results of a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, and whether it was performed at all, whether chemotherapy will be used, in what regimen, and how many cycles are required.
A retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy is performed not only for treatment, but also for diagnostics. Doctors can know for sure whether there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes or not. This cannot be determined with non-invasive methods since even non-enlarged lymph nodes can be affected by cancer metastases.
A retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy is, however, a traumatic operation, which often causes complications. Therefore, in the case of a small tumor size, if doctors believe that the tumor can be limited only to the testicle, this operation is sometimes not performed.
If a retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy is not performed, doctors cannot know for sure whether there are metastases in the lymph nodes or not. Nonetheless, metastases can be suggested on the basis of laboratory diagnostics, which involves determining tumor marker levels. In the case of embryonal carcinoma, all three tumor markers of testicular cancer are elevated: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The first two markers have the highest specificity. If their levels are normalized, with a high probability, there are no metastases.
Treatment options for patients after testicular removal without a lymphadenectomy include:
- medical supervision;
- chemotherapy.
Medical supervision is only possible if the tumor has not penetrated into the blood vessels. Then, after the removal of the testicle, a patient is examined by a doctor once every 2 months in the first year, once every 3 months in the second year, and then annually. Every time a man has a tumor marker test. Computed tomography for the diagnostics of possible lymph node metastases is performed once every 4 months in the first year, once every 6 months in the second year, and then annually for 5 years.
Chemotherapy may be required in the following cases:
- lymph node enlargement;
- elevated tumor marker levels.
In most patients with embryonal carcinoma, doctors remove not only the testicle but also the lymph nodes. The necessity for chemotherapy depends on the diagnostic results of the surgical material obtained. If there are no signs of cancer in the lymph nodes, and tumor marker levels are normal, a patient can avoid chemotherapy and have only medical supervision. Cancer metastases detected in the lymph nodes and elevated tumor marker levels are an indication for chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy for advanced stages
If cancer is detected at an advanced stage, the treatment of the disease begins with chemotherapy. Whether surgery will be performed depends on the results of drug therapy conducted.
Sometimes, under the influence of chemotherapy, the tumor shrinks and lymph node metastases disappear. In this case, the stage of the disease decreases. Such patients may have surgery to try to cure cancer.
In some cases, the tumor does not regress. These patients continue to have their treatment with chemotherapy. In some cases, high-dose chemotherapy with a stem cell transplant may be combined. This treatment approach helps to cure cancer even at the advanced stages. This treatment method is, however, unsafe and is suitable for young patients only.
Where to undergo treatment?
You can undergo your treatment abroad to expect the best results. Developed countries offer the following options:
- the latest chemotherapy regimens, which are best proven in clinical trials;
- treatment results are constantly monitored with the help of tests and instrumental diagnostics, and if the effect is insufficient, the regimen will be changed to obtain the best result;
- modern drugs from the world's best manufacturers;
- patients are provided with accompanying treatment to reduce the risk of complications;
- symptomatic therapy to reduce the number and severity of side effects;
- treatment takes place in a comfortable environment, and each patient receives good care;
- high-dose chemotherapy combined with a stem cell transplant helps to cure even the advanced stages of cancer.
You are welcome to visit the Booking Health website to find the cost of treatment at hospitals abroad and compare prices to choose a medical care program at the best price. Our specialists will help you to find a hospital that specializes in testicular cancer treatment and achieves the best results. When making your treatment appointment through the Booking Health website, prices will be lower than when contacting a medical center directly. The cost of treatment is reduced due to the lack of additional fees for foreign patients. You will receive insurance that will cover unexpected medical expenses, such as complications from chemotherapy. Therefore, when choosing a medical care program through the Booking Health service, the initial price for you is guaranteed not to increase after the start of treatment.
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!
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