Surgical Removal of the Tumor for Glioblastoma (brain Cancer) in the Best Hospitals in the World
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Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery offers all the possibilities of modern surgical treatment for diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system in patients of all ages. More than 6,000 surgical procedures are performed annually in the department's high-tech operating rooms. Both planned and emergency neurosurgical procedures are performed here. The department's surgical team focuses on patients with cerebrovascular diseases, brain and skull base tumors, spine and spinal cord diseases, cerebrospinal fluid circulation disorders, and pathologies of the peripheral nervous system. The department's team of physicians also has extensive experience in functional neurosurgery: specialists perform deep brain stimulation for movement disorders, spinal cord stimulation for back pain, and vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy. The department works closely with neurologists, radiologists, and nuclear medicine specialists to provide patients with the highest level of comprehensive medical care. The department is recognized as one of the top neurosurgical centers in Germany and beyond, as evidenced by consistently high treatment success rates and numerous quality certifications, including the German Cancer Society (DKG) Certificate, the German Spine Society (DWG) Certificate, and the Leading Medicine Guide Certificate.
Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery
The Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery offers the full range of modern surgical procedures for patients with diseases of the brain, spinal cord, spine, and peripheral nervous system. The department has state-of-the-art equipment, including navigation systems, monitoring devices, surgical microscopes, intraoperative X-ray diagnostic systems, angiography systems, and laser equipment. In addition, a system for minimally invasive stereotactic interventions has been installed in the department's operating room. The department's neurosurgeons use the latest microsurgical and endoscopic techniques in their work. The medical facility is one of only three in Europe to successfully use the VISUALASE™ device for MRI-guided laser ablation to treat epilepsy. This minimally invasive procedure is highly effective and represents a real breakthrough in epilepsy surgery. The department's neurosurgeons always strive to provide the patient with optimal medical care. They talk in detail about each stage of treatment and are happy to answer the patient's questions. Neurologists and specialists in the field of neuroradiology are often involved in the therapeutic process, which guarantees a comprehensive approach to treatment.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery offers the full range of surgical treatment of diseases of the brain, spine, spinal cord and nerves in adults and children. The department keeps pace with new trends in medicine, as well as contributes significantly to their development. Therefore, the most modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods are available here. An individual approach to each clinical case is crucial to ensure optimal treatment results with the preservation of all neurological functions.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery ranks among the top German medical facilities specializing in the surgical treatment of brain tumors! The department offers the full range of diagnostics and surgical treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. A specially trained team of pediatric neurosurgeons provides treatment for various neurosurgical pathologies in children. During the treatment, the doctors use state-of-the-art equipment, in particular, imaging-guided neuronavigation, functional imaging (fMRI), intraoperative mapping, intraoperative videoangiography, etc.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Surgery, Spinal Surgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Surgery, Spinal Surgery offers the full range of diagnostics and surgical treatment of diseases of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves at the highest international level of modern medicine. The department has four high-tech operating rooms, in which more than 2,400 surgical interventions are performed annually. Surgery to treat tumors of the nervous system in childhood and adulthood is of particular interest to the department's specialists. In addition, the department's medical team has unique clinical experience in the surgical treatment of epilepsy, spinal pathologies and deformities, as well as neurovascular pathologies. The department's doctors have a perfect command of advanced surgical techniques, for example, navigational surgery, intraoperative neuromonitoring, hybrid surgical techniques, which are the basis of successful clinical practice. State-of-the-art computer-assisted systems allow neurosurgeons to plan each stage of surgical intervention as accurately as possible, thereby guaranteeing its high efficiency and safety.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery offers the diagnostics and treatment of the entire spectrum of neurosurgical diseases. The department specializes in the treatment of brain tumors, vascular diseases and intracerebral hemorrhages, spinal diseases, deep brain stimulation, etc. Special competence lies in the field of pediatric neurosurgery. The department offers the very latest highly accurate and minimally invasive treatment methods.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery offers modern diagnostics and effective treatment of the full range of diseases, injuries, inflammatory processes, tumors and malformations of the brain, spinal cord and their meninges, as well as spinal diseases. Spinal surgery is performed in collaboration with doctors from the Department of Adult and Pediatric Traumatology, Orthopedic Surgery. The department admits adults and children with malformations of the nervous system, brain and spinal cord tumors, drug-resistant epilepsy and other diseases. As one of the largest medical facilities of this kind in Germany, the department's doctors annually perform more than 2,500 surgical interventions on the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerve endings. The department's specialists also perform over 400 spinal surgical procedures annually. To achieve high success rates of the surgical treatment, doctors use the very latest equipment, including neuronavigation systems. Thanks to this, surgeons not only successfully eliminate the pathology, but also guarantee the patient maximum safety. The department has 78 beds, including 14 beds in the Intensive Care Unit. The priority goal of the department's medical team is to provide high-quality treatment focused on the patient's needs.
Department of Neurosurgery
The Department of Neurosurgery offers the full range of surgical treatment of diseases of the nervous system and belongs to the largest medical facilities of this kind at the national level. The department has 4 state-of-art operating rooms where more than 2,700 interventions are performed annually. It has the progressive surgical equipment, for example, intraoperative monitoring, neuronavigation, tools for performing minimally invasive operations, which provide the most effective and reliable therapy. The department has earned the reputation of the Center of Competence in the field of tumor surgery of the nervous system and spine.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery provides a full range of services in its areas of expertise. The department's doctors operate on patients with brain and spinal cord tumors, central nervous system malformations, epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries, degenerative disc diseases, spinal stenosis, spinal cord injuries, and peripheral nervous system pathologies. Neurosurgeons specialize in treating patients of all ages, including children and adolescents. Pediatricians, pediatric oncologists, radiologists, and neuroradiologists are involved in the treatment of young patients. Surgical procedures to treat pathologies of the nervous system are performed by highly qualified surgeons with extensive clinical experience. The physicians use state-of-the-art equipment in their work: intraoperative imaging systems, neuronavigation devices, and fluorescence imaging. Advanced technologies are key to effective and safe treatment, as damage to vital anatomical structures of the brain or spinal cord may cause severe neurological deficits. More than 2,000 operations are performed annually in the department's state-of-the-art operating rooms, the majority of which are for brain tumors. The department treats more than 11,000 patients each year. For many years, it has been one of the leading neurosurgical centers in Germany that treats patients from many European countries.
Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery
The Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Surgery provides top-class medical care for patients with diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The medical facility performs surgery of any complexity on the brain, spinal cord, spine, and peripheral nerves. The department is the largest healthcare facility of this kind in Germany and has a team of highly professional neurosurgeons with long clinical experience. The department's specialists focus on patients with brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas, and brain metastases), neurovascular diseases (aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, and dural arteriovenous fistulas), and traumatic brain injuries. Spinal surgeons operate on patients with herniated discs, spinal canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, spondylodiscitis, spinal fractures, and spinal tumors. The department extensively uses minimally invasive surgical techniques that allow for good therapeutic results with high safety in surgical manipulations. The medical facility has two hybrid operating rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, including the Zeego® intraoperative robotic angiography system and the intraoperative Brainsuite® MRI.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery offers the full range of diagnostics and treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. The medical institution occupies a leading position in this sector in Europe. The neurosurgeons of the department have at their disposal four high-tech operating rooms, in which more than 3,500 interventions are performed annually. Active clinical and experimental research activities, as well as close cooperation with national and international reputable research centers, promote the introduction of innovative treatment techniques that are available only in a few clinics in the world.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery offers the widest range of surgical interventions for the treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, including stereotactic surgery and endoscopy. With more than 2,400 operations every year, the department has a unique experience, which allows it to provide the high-quality medical care even in extremely complex clinical cases. The key focus of the department is pediatric neurosurgery. In addition to the high professionalism of doctors, the treatment success is facilitated by exclusively advanced medical equipment, for example, neuronavigation systems and intraoperative fluorescence navigation.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery offers the full range of modern services in this medical field. The high level of technical equipment in the department allows for the performance of all highly specialized surgical interventions to treat pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous system. The clinical practice mainly focuses on the diagnostics and surgical treatment of diseases, injuries of the brain, spine, spinal cord, intervertebral discs, nerve plexuses, functional neurosurgery and the treatment of neurosurgical pathologies in children.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery offers all modern surgical interventions for the treatment of pathologies of the nervous system. The clinical focuses include the treatment of oncological diseases of the nervous system (neuro-oncology), skull base surgery, vascular neurosurgery, spinal surgery and functional neurosurgery, including the surgical treatment of epilepsy. As a state-of-the-art medical facility, the department has the advanced systems for deep brain stimulation, multimodal neuronavigation devices, intraoperative neuronavigation using CT, ultrasound systems, fluorescence imaging devices and endoscopy equipment. Thus, the department has all the possibilities to ensure effective treatment according to the international standards.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery specializes in performing surgical procedures of any complexity on the brain, spinal cord, spine, and peripheral nervous system in patients of all ages. The department's operating rooms are equipped with the latest technology to ensure the most effective and safe treatment of neurosurgical pathologies. During surgery, the department's specialists use innovative intraoperative neuromonitoring systems, neuronavigation devices, and continuous electrophysiologic monitoring systems. The department employs skilled neurosurgeons with extensive clinical experience and in-depth expertise, who prioritize effective treatment according to each patient's individual needs. The physicians strictly follow current clinical protocols and recommendations of the German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC). It should be noted that the department is part of the Center for Neuro-Oncology certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG), has the status of a Center for Spine Surgery certified by the German Spine Society (DWG), and a Center for Skull Base Surgery certified by the German Society for Skull Base Surgery (GSB).
Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Neurosurgery, Spinal Surgery offers the full range of diagnostic examinations and surgical treatment of diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. The team of the department's neurosurgeons successfully performs operations for pathologies of the brain and spinal cord, spine, neurovascular pathologies, pituitary diseases, and epilepsy. The doctors specialize in surgery for malignant brain tumors. The department is part of the Gliome Competence Center Network and the German Cancer Aid. The department uses the latest minimally invasive microsurgical techniques, navigation systems, intraoperative systems, and other advanced technical resources that allow for an optimal therapy result. The department has 84 beds for its patients, 10 of which are intended for intensive care. Medical care is based on an individual approach with due consideration of the patient's specific clinical data and needs. The specialists working at the medical facility always devote enough time to personal communication with their patients and do everything possible so that they receive effective treatment and maintain a decent quality of life.
Glioblastoma is one of the most common types of malignant brain tumors, it accounts for more than 50% of neoplasms found in the brain. This tumor is the most aggressive of all malignant brain tumors.
Content
- What is glioblastoma?
- Symptoms of glioblastoma
- Diagnostics
- Treatment options
- Cost of treatment
- Where can I undergo the treatment of glioblastoma?
- How can I undergo glioblastoma treatment abroad?
What is glioblastoma?
There are different types of brain tumors, including benign and malignant ones.
Up to 80% of malignant brain tumors develop from glial cells of the brain tissue, and therefore they are called gliomas.
Glioblastoma is a glioma that is considered one of the most dangerous malignant brain tumors.
As already mentioned, it develops from brain cells that play a supporting and auxiliary role in the growth and development of nervous system cells. Therefore, these tumors can occur in different parts of the brain, which, of course, complicates their diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of glioblastoma
The development of glioblastoma causes various symptoms, which largely depend on the location of the brain tumor. However, the symptoms that are the most common in cancerous brain tumors, including glioblastoma are:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Convulsive seizures
- Impaired motor and cognitive abilities
Diagnostics
To detect glioblastoma in time, it is necessary to undergo a preventive medical examination.
If a person is concerned about having a malignant brain tumor, he can go through a diagnostic program to reveal the signs of the disease and receive recommendations for the treatment.
For this, the most advanced methods are used, including:
- Computed tomography (CT). Computed tomography is a type of X-ray scan, in which a computer is used to produce images of the internal structures of the brain.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Magnetic resonance imaging is a type of diagnostics that uses electromagnetic waves to visualize the internal structures of the brain.
- Functional MRI. Functional MRI is a method that allows doctors to examine the blood flow inside tumors and obtain detailed information about the brain tumor and the functioning of the nearby healthy tissues.
- Magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a method for determining the metabolic rate in brain tissue.
- Electroencephalography (EEG). EEG is a method that records the electrical activity of the brain by measuring electrical potentials.
- Brain biopsy. Brain biopsy involves taking a sample of brain tissue for histological examination.
- Lumbar puncture. It involves taking a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for examination.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission tomography (SPECT). Those methods determine the level of tissue functional activity.
Treatment options
As it has been already mentioned, glioblastomas are considered one of the most aggressive brain tumors. Therefore, if identified, it is necessary to start treatment immediately.
Removal of such tumors is especially difficult as they often arise in hard-to-reach regions and do not have a defined shape as their boundaries are blurred.
Most often, combined methods are used to treat glioblastomas. They are removed surgically, if the case allows. After that, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are prescribed, and if necessary, additional surgeries are performed to remove the brain tumor, as often glioblastomas continue developing even after the first removal.
- Surgery.
Surgery for glioblastoma is a complex procedure. Before the surgery, patients undergo extensive diagnostics, during which the volume and the boundaries of the brain tumor are determined.
The surgery is performed under anesthesia, due to which a patient does not experience any discomfort while being fully conscious. With low electrical discharge, neurosurgeons stimulate various parts of the brain, while talking to the patient and controlling his sensations. If during the stimulation some brain functions are disturbed, for example, sight or speech, then these areas are not subjected to manipulations during surgery to avoid severe consequences of treatment and a patients’ disability.
The surgery is carried out using microsurgical instruments, under the computer system control. The neurosurgeons coordinate every movement precisely, controlling them not only with the help of the operating room technical equipment but also directly communicating with the patient to identify possible discomfort.
- Radiation therapy.
Studies show that radiation therapy almost doubles the life expectancy for patients with glioblastoma. Additionally, patients receive chemotherapy and other treatments. If it is impossible to remove the brain tumor with surgery, radiation therapy can be used.
Radiation therapy for glioblastoma of the brain is carried out using the latest equipment. Irradiation is performed on the ultra-modern linear accelerators TrueBeam and Novalis, with which doctors target precisely only the areas of the brain affected by the tumor. Radiation therapy for glioblastoma is often a supportive treatment that is combined with neurosurgery or chemotherapy.
Due to the wave effect of radiation therapy, doctors manage to reduce the number of abnormal cells in the patients’ brain tissues, partially reduce the tumor in size and start the process of necrosis of the neoplasm tissues. As a rule, radiation therapy is the most effective in complex treatment.
- Chemotherapy.
Treatment of glioblastoma with a group of cytostatic drugs has a complex effect on the patient's body and prevents further development of the tumor. The dosage of drugs, the number of courses, and the group of necessary medications are selected strictly individually, considering the characteristics of the current disease and the patients’ physical condition. This prevents most of the severe side effects and other complications associated with classical chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy is also one of the stages in the complex treatment of a brain tumor. The other ones include surgery and radiation therapy.
- Clinical trials.
Clinical trials offer patients with glioblastoma a unique possibility to increase the range of the available treatment options. Once a promising new therapy is developed, it is compared to the current standard of care in the clinical trials.
If the novel therapy outperforms the existing one, it may eventually become the new standard of care However, until then patients will only be able to receive innovative treatment in a clinical trial.
Through past clinical trials for glioblastoma, patients have been able to benefit from:
- Chemotherapy drugs that are especially effective for brain tumors that cannot be removed surgically
- Medications that block the formation of new blood vessels that promote brain tumor growth
- Alternative chemotherapy delivery cycles to slow the process of long-term disease progression
- Oxygen therapy to enhance the effects of traditional chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Other clinical trials that focus on quality-of-life factors
Considering the limitations of current glioblastoma treatments, clinical trials have been proven to be very valuable for patients who feel restricted by the standard options. Because the cancer is fast-spreading and can be resistant to standard therapies, many patients want to participate in clinical trials as a way of taking a more proactive and hopeful approach.
Cost of treatment
The cost of treatment in the best hospitals on the Booking Health website is relatively low. As a rule, you can save up to 40% of the initial price by booking the medical program here.
With Booking Health, you can undergo the treatment of glioblastoma at an affordable price. The cost of treatment varies in different countries, as the prices depend on the hospital, the clinical diagnosis, and the complexity of treatment. The cost of treatment abroad goes as follows:
- Germany – from 21,298 EUR to 37,282 EUR
- Spain – about 12,713 EUR
- Austria – about 26,650 EUR
- Turkey – about 12,656 EUR
- Israel – about 22,200 EUR
You can visit the Booking Health website to find out the exact price for your treatment type.
Where can I undergo the treatment of glioblastoma?
The best hospitals for the treatment of glioblastoma are:
- University Hospital Bergmannsheil Bochum, Germany
- Charite University Hospital Berlin, Germany
- University Hospital HM Monteprincipe Madrid, Spain
- Beta Klinik Bonn, Germany
- University Hospital for Neurosurgery Salzburg, Austria
You can check out the full list of specialized hospitals on the Booking Health website.
How can I undergo glioblastoma treatment abroad?
Organizing the treatment of glioblastoma abroad by oneself can be challenging. It is safer, easier, and less stressful to shift some responsibility onto a medical tourism agency that will support you throughout your journey.
We will help to find the right medical institution for you. It is practically impossible to do this on your own, as it requires specific knowledge and experience in medical tourism. It is in our power to do everything to make the treatment as comfortable as possible.
If you want to get more information on the right hospital for your diagnosis or the cost of treatment, please leave a request on the Booking Health website. We will contact you as soon as possible, and answer 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!
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