Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Glioblastoma (brain cancer) treatment in the best hospitals in the world
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Department of Radiation Therapy
According to the Focus magazine, the University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is regularly ranked among the best medical institutions in Germany! The hospital is the largest multidisciplinary medical facility, as well as a leading research and training center in Germany and Europe. The hospital is proud of its bicentenary history and tirelessly confirms its primacy at the national and international levels. The outstanding quality of medical care is complemented by highly productive research activities, thanks to which many effective diagnostic and therapeutic methods, saving people’s lives, have been presented in medical practice.
Department of Radiation Therapy
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Radiation Therapy ranks among the top German medical facilities in the area of its specialization! The department offers all types of modern radiation therapy for cancer treatment at the highest level of university medicine. The priorities of the department's work include the treatment of tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, urogenital system in men, gynecological tumors in women, oncopathologies of the nervous system, as well as head and neck tumors. Each department's specialist strives to ensure all the patients with the most effective and at the same time customized treatment. Due attention is also paid to radiation protection.
Department of Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology and Proton Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology and Proton Therapy offers the full range of modern radiation therapy at the highest medical and technological level. Innovative proton therapy is also within the competence of the medical facility. As the largest medical facility of this kind in Eastern Saxony, the department annually admits about 2,300 cancer patients, 550 of whom are treated on an inpatient basis. In total, the department has about 110 employees, including 26 doctors, 14 physicists, 22 radiological assistants, 22 nurses and 28 employees of various profiles (in radiation biology research laboratories and other sections). The department's doctors cooperate closely with oncologists, chemotherapists and other specialists in related fields, since cancer patients usually require comprehensive treatment that combines several methods. In most cases, patients undergo radiation therapy on an outpatient basis, which eliminates the need for hospitalization. The main value of the department's medical team is the patient's health, so doctors always strive to provide qualified medical care that meets the individual needs of the patient.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy
According to the prestigious Focus magazine, the Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy is one of the best medical facilities in Germany in its area of specialization! The physicians of the department pay special attention to the treatment of malignant diseases such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, colon cancer, and other tumors. The specialists of the medical facility are also competent in performing radiation therapy for benign diseases with a special emphasis on the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, arthrosis, and heel spurs. The department has state-of-the-art equipment, including a CT scanner, two linear accelerators, a MicroSelectron HDR machine for short-term high-dose irradiation (Afterloading therapy), Oncentra External Beam and Oncentra Brachy machines for irradiation planning, and the iPlan system (Brainlab) for stereotactic irradiation planning. The department performs all types of radiation therapy available in modern medicine. Treatment is performed on an outpatient basis without hospitalization. Each radiation therapy regimen is planned according to the individual needs and wishes of each patient. The department's physicians work with advanced equipment that ensures effective results and high radiation safety.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy provides top-class conduction of all types of modern radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant and benign diseases. In most cases, irradiation is indicated to patients with cancers, but this treatment method is also effective for some benign diseases: tennis elbow, arthrosis, as well as other degenerative and inflammatory joint diseases. The department's doctors offer patients individual consultations and radiation therapy using the very latest medical technologies, which guarantee high precision of irradiation and sparing treatment. The department provides many innovative types of radiation therapy, which can effectively deal with all types of cancer. In addition, the department's doctors welcome the use of symptomatic treatment to improve the patients' quality of life and the effectiveness of irradiation. The specialists often resort to traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and other procedures.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology is included in the rating of the top German departments specializing in radiation therapy! The department offers the full range of treatment of oncological diseases using ionizing radiation by means of external (teletherapy) or internal (brachytherapy) tumor radiation. The specialists of the department are doing their best to ensure the most effective cancer therapy, taking into account the very latest advances in science and medical technology, interdisciplinary cooperation and an individual approach.
Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology
According to the the Focus magazine, the Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology ranks among the top German medical facilities specializing in radiation therapy! The department offers all types of modern radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant neoplasms of various localization. The availability of the cutting-edge radiation therapy technologies, the close cooperation with the specialists from all related disciplines, as well as the experience and competence of doctors provide patients with the individualized treatment and the best therapy results. The department is also part of the Jena University Cancer Center, which employs outstanding professionals who are ready to provide medical care even in the most difficult clinical cases.
Department of Radiation Therapy
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Radiation Therapy is included in the ranking of the top German department specializing in radiation therapy! The department offers all types of modern radiation therapy for the treatment of cancers. The competent medical team of the department annually provides its services to 2,000 patients.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy, Ion Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy, Ion Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology offers the full range of radiological diagnostics and cancer therapy. A feature of the department is the exact treatment of cancer with the help of heavy ions and proton therapy. Therapy with heavy ions and protons makes it possible to effectively destroy tumors of difficult-to-reach localization, while maintaining healthy tissues. The department belongs to the most modern medical institutions of this level in the international medical arena. It treats more than 3,500 cancer patients every year.
Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology ranks among the top German departments specializing in radiotherapy! The department offers all types of modern radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant and benign diseases, various functional disorders. Depending on the patient's state of health and the course of the disease, radiation therapy can be carried out on an outpatient or inpatient basis, as well as in combination with other treatment methods, for example, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, etc. The high-tech equipment, exceptional professionalism of doctors and close cooperation with the specialists from related fields contribute to the provision of first-class and tailored medical care.
Department of Radiation Oncology
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Radiation Oncology ranks among the top German departments specializing in radiation therapy! The department offers all advanced types of radiation therapy for the treatment of oncological diseases. Any therapeutic procedure is prescribed individually, taking into account the specific situation and course of pathology. The modern medical equipment and outstanding competence of the physicians contribute to the successful clinical practice of the department.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology and Radiation Therapy
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology and Radiation Therapy offers the full range of services in these medical fields. The competent doctors of the department work with the state-of-the-art systems for CT, MRI, x-ray, ultrasound, angiography, fluoroscopy and other imaging studies in adults and children. In addition, the department specializes in all modern types of radiation therapy and interventional procedures for the treatment of vascular and oncological diseases.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy ranks among the top German departments specializing in radiation therapy! The department offers all types of modern radiation therapy for the treatment of various benign and malignant diseases. The focus is on multimodal interdisciplinary therapy of lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, sarcomas, malignant lymphomas and tumors in children. The stereotactic radiation therapy is available in the department for the targeted treatment of brain tumors. The department treats more than 1,500 inpatients and about 4,300 outpatients every year, which is the indisputable evidence of the outstanding quality of provided medical services.
Department of Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy provides patients with the full range of services in this medical field. The primary focus of the department's clinical practice is the conduction of modern types of radiation therapy for treating malignant diseases. The department's specialists also successfully carry out combination treatments, such as radioimmunotherapy and chemoradiotherapy. The department is part of the Cancer Center at the University Hospital Saarland Homburg, which allows radiation therapists to cooperate closely with oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists, providing comprehensive cancer treatment. The department's team of doctors also treats patients with some benign inflammatory diseases. The department's patients most often receive outpatient medical care. There are 24 beds available to accommodate patients in the department. The pride of the department is the advanced technical equipment that allows the specialists to perform high-precision and efficient irradiation. The treatment takes place in a modern building, in the design of which great importance was attached to creating a comfortable environment for the patient. The department admits more than 1,500 patients who receive high-quality European-level treatment every year.
Department of Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy offers the full range of irradiation procedures for benign and malignant diseases. The department has advanced equipment and highly qualified personnel, which allows providing patients with medical services meeting the highest international standards. The department's specialists have two Varian linear accelerators with a built-in CT scanner with a conical beam and RapidArc technology, Siemens Somatom Definition AS CT scanner for radiation therapy planning, Varian GammaMed iX system for contact radiation therapy using the afterloading technique, Zeiss IntraBeam X-ray therapy device for intraoperative radiation therapy for breast cancer, X-Strahl 200 X-ray therapy device, Varian device for precise positioning of patients before radiation therapy and other equipment. State-of-the-art equipment guarantees high-precision irradiation with minimal damage to healthy tissues. Cancer treatment is of particular interest to the team of the department's radiation therapists. In addition, the department's specialists successfully carry out irradiation for inflammatory joint diseases with severe pain syndrome. The doctors of the medical facility cooperate closely with oncologists and other doctors of related specialties.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy ranks among the best German medical facilities specializing in radiation therapy! The department offers the full range of services in this medical field and is one of the most modern departments of this kind in Germany. The medical facility provides comprehensive treatment for various malignant diseases, which includes both radiation therapy and maintenance therapy (for example, pain therapy, diet therapy). The department uses state-of-the-art technical equipment, which allows for the most effective irradiation of the cancer focus with minimal harm to healthy tissues. In addition, the department provides innovative types of treatment – interventional radiation therapy and regional deep hyperthermia. All medical services comply with the highest international standards, and the department's medical team strictly adheres to radiation protection standards. The department's doctors have long clinical experience, and therefore they competently select the optimal course of radiation therapy for each patient to destroy cancer cells. The treatment is provided in close cooperation with oncologists, chemotherapists and other experts from related specialties.
The exact causes of brain cancer tumors, like with other neoplasms, have not been established yet.
Brain cancer is very variable. The prognosis depends on the histological type, localization, and pattern of tumor growth.
Besides, the age of the patient, the presence and severity of concomitant diseases play an important role. It should be noted that in the era of development of diagnostic methods, the division into "malignant" and "benign" tumors is often conditional. The information on the possibility of a benign tumor becoming a malignant one over time has also been confirmed.
Clinical manifestations of brain cancer
Cancer (glioblastoma) affects the brain in various ways, each of which contributes to the clinical picture.
As the cancer tumor grows, it compresses the adjacent medulla, which leads to certain symptoms. Depending on the location of glioblastoma, these symptoms may include the occurrence of paresis and paralysis, impaired sensitivity, seizures, speech disorders, smell, vision, and cranial nerves dysfunction.
A distinctive feature of intracranial tumors is the fact that their growth occurs in a tightly limited space – the cranial cavity. In this regard, the presence of the tumor eventually leads to an increase in intracranial pressure.
An increase in intracranial pressure leads to the development of general cerebral symptoms (headaches, specifically in the morning, nausea and vomiting, memory loss). It also leads to difficulty in venous outflow, cerebral ischemia, and the development of ischemic cerebral edema. This aggravates intracranial hypertension and forms a "vicious circle".
The primary glioblastoma has the fourth degree of malignancy. The information on the prognosis of radiation therapy or chemotherapy performing, of course, depends on the location of the cancerous neoplasm, the affection of the nearby structures, and other aspects. These determine the possibility of cancer total removal and the effectiveness of modern methods of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The information on complete recovery from this type of cancer proves its possibility, but in most cases, even with good intermediate results, glioblastoma progresses.
Diagnostics
Brain cancer can be secondary and primary. These categories are different, and they are distinguished according to how and where exactly cancer has developed. Secondary brain cancer is metastatic.
In secondary brain cancer, malignant cells (metastases) enter the brain from other cancer loci in the body and do not develop in the brain independently. Most often, such types of cancer as lung, breast, and kidney cancer metastasize to the brain.
Primary tumors can either grow slowly and gradually or grow rapidly.
Primary tumors develop directly from brain tissues. Most often, when talking about brain cancer, doctors refer to a whole family of formations – gliomas. The statistical information shows that they occur in 80% of brain pathology cases. All cancer tumors of this group are formed not from brain cells, but from the auxiliary ones.
The first stage of the glioblastoma diagnostics is a thorough neurological examination, according to the information of which a list of necessary additional examination methods is determined.
Contrast-enhanced MRI is the gold standard in the diagnosis of intracranial brain tumors. If there are contraindications to MRI, CT scan with contrast is performed. If a metastatic nature of the cancer is suspected, some studies are also performed to identify the primary area of cancer (X-ray or CT scan of the chest, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, pelvis, or thyroid gland).
To choose the right treatments, it is necessary to have the following information: the patient's condition at the time of tumor detection, MRI/CT scan with or without contrast enhancement, and the results of the examination of related specialists (depending on the localization of the tumor).
Treatment
The main methods for treatment of glioblastoma are:
- Surgery (in many cases it is not effective due to the tumor metastasis)
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
Brain tumors require precise treatments and care due to their location and proximity to critical structures of the nervous system. With radiation therapy, it is possible to affect brain tumors more radically and precisely.
Standard radiotherapy releases the maximum dose of radiation as soon as it penetrates the skin and continues to emit it as it travels outside the tumor. Proton radiotherapy, for example, reduces the radiation exposure of the unaffected surrounding brain tissue up to 50%.
With less radiation exposure of normal brain tissues and the optic nerve, proton radiation therapy allows patients to experience fewer side effects compared with standard X-rays. Damage to the brain, nervous system, vision, and hearing is minimized, allowing patients to undergo treatments with fewer interruptions or delays.
Proton beam radiation therapy provides lower effects on the brain stem, eyes, and healthy tissues compared to X-rays. Radiotherapy directs the radiation right to the tumor, without unwanted exposure of healthy tissues.
However, radiation therapy for brain tumors has overall benefits:
- Precise effects of radiotherapy on the brain tumor
- High dose per procedure (fewer number of overall radiotherapy procedures)
- Less impact on healthy tissues and critical structures, including the brain, brainstem, pituitary gland, and optic nerve
- Low risk of side effects such as vision or hearing loss, cognitive or motor impairment, and neurological or hormonal disorders
- Reduced likelihood of recurrence
- Radiotherapy can be administered in combination with chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and surgery (before or after)
Surgery and radiation therapy act on a tumor locally. During surgery, the brain tumor is removed; during radiation therapy, tumor cells are destroyed.
Chemotherapy treatments affect the entire body, and act "systemically". Anticancer drugs used in chemotherapy can fight metastases, specifically when cancer cells have spread throughout the body far beyond the primary brain tumor.
The advantage of chemotherapy is in its higher substance dose. However, chemotherapy can be ineffective for certain types of cancer. Besides, chemotherapy requires special equipment and specialists with the appropriate qualifications.
The determination of the optimal dose is key to the success of chemotherapy. The challenge in chemotherapy treatment is to find a middle ground: a low dose will not give the desired effects, and a high dose can cause life-threatening side effects.
Before introducing cancer treatments into the clinical practice, chemotherapy drugs are tested thoroughly. The information on clinical studies of chemotherapy drugs is mandatory before they can be applied. Specific attention is paid to how they are absorbed in the body and how different factors influence their effectiveness.
Rehabilitation period
The recovery process after brain cancer therapy can take a long time. It is necessary to start rehabilitation for people with cancer as early as possible in order to restore lost brain functions effectively.
Neurological examination and the results of functional diagnostic methods (MRI, CT) allow a rehabilitation specialist to establish the nature and volume of postoperative, post-radiotherapy of post-chemotherapy consequences.
Further, the clinician develops an individual program of restorative therapy after cancer treatment with a neuropsychologist, combined with drug neurological therapy and other types of therapy after treatment of glioblastoma. The clinician supervises the work of each of the specialists of the team and unites their efforts to maximize the treatment result for the patient.
Cost of treatment in best hospitals in the world
The cost of treatment in the best-rated hospitals on the Booking Health website is relatively low. You can save up to 40% of the usual clinic’s price by booking your treatment 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 hospitals, the diagnosis, and the complexity of treatment. The cost of treatment abroad goes as follows:
- Germany – from 24,500 EUR to 45,886 EUR
- Turkey – approximately 21,000 EUR
- South Korea – approximately 25,500 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:
- Gamma Knife and Radiotherapy Center Krefeld, Germany
- MediClin Robert Janker Clinic, Germany
- Medicana International Ankara Hospital, Turkey
- University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
- University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany
You can check out the full list of 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 represent the best hospitals in the world, and you can choose which one is right for you. It is practically impossible to do this on your own, as it requires specific knowledge and experience in medical tourism. Clinicians of the best hospitals in the world will do everything to make the treatment as comfortable as possible.
If you want to get more information on hospitals 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.
