Chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Glioblastoma (brain cancer) treatment in the best hospitals in the world
Treatment prices are regulated by national law of the corresponding countries, but can also include additional hospital coefficients. In order to receive the individual cost calculation, please send us the request and medical records.
Gamma Knife and Radiotherapy Center
The Gamma Knife and Radiotherapy Center offers the full range of medical services in its field of competence. The treatment begins with an individual consultation and the comprehensive diagnostics, while the therapy is followed by all the necessary measures for follow-up care and consolidation of the result. The irradiation is carried out using the innovative Gamma Knife ICON, the characteristics of which ensure the successful removal of tumors up to 3 cm in size without damaging the surrounding healthy tissues. The highly qualified doctors of the center have many years of clinical experience and excellent skills in using this progressive system, so the patient can be sure that he will get the optimal result.
Gamma Knife and Radiotherapy Center
The Gamma Knife and Radiotherapy Center specializes in the stereotactic radiosurgical treatment and stereotactic radiotherapy for benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, vascular malformations, as well as metastases in various organs (for example, in the liver, lungs, spine). The center has state-of-the-art equipment for stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiation therapy – Perfexion Gamma Knife and Axesse Linear Accelerator. The center also has innovative technologies of targeted radiotherapy, thanks to which healthy tissues can be completely removed from the radiation zone. At the same time, tumors and their metastases can be removed with an accuracy of up to 0,3 mm.
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 and Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiation Therapy specializes in various types of modern radiation therapy. The team of the department's doctors admits patients with malignant and benign tumors, as well as with certain degenerative diseases. During consultations, specialists tell patients in detail about the types of radiation therapy, the benefits and risks of a particular type of irradiation. The medical facility has an excellent technical base, so it offers innovative radiation techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and stereotactic radiation therapy. In most cases, radiation therapy is performed on an outpatient basis, but patients receiving chemoradiotherapy and patients with particularly complex clinical cases still require hospitalization. Each treatment regimen is carefully planned according to the patient's clinical data, and therefore doctors achieve an optimal therapeutic effect. After completing the course of treatment, patients are advised to undergo regular follow-up examinations.
Department of Radiation Oncology
The Department of Radiation Oncology specializes in various types of radiation therapy according to the standards of modern medicine. The primary focus of the clinical activities of the department's doctors is the treatment of cancer patients. In addition, the field of competence of the specialists working in the medical facility includes radiation therapy for benign diseases of the joints and soft tissues, for example, small and large joint osteoarthritis, heel spur, tennis elbow. The department began its work in 2006 and today can be proud of excellent treatment outcomes. The patients are treated both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. In most cases, patients tolerate radiation therapy well, so hospitalization is not required. The patients' health is in the safe hands of a highly professional team of experienced doctors who individually select the optimal type of therapy, the radiation dose and the duration of the course of treatment. The team of the department's radiation therapists works closely with the specialists from related medical fields, which guarantees an integrated approach and an effective treatment outcome.
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 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 Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy carries out all types of modern radiation therapy at the highest technological level, strictly adhering to radiation protection standards. The department has two powerful Elekta Synergy linear accelerators and a GammaMed plus IX BrachyVision device for radiation therapy using the afterloading technique. An irradiation scheme is planned on a Toshiba Aquilion Large Bore CT scanner with a 90 cm gentry aperture. Combined chemoradiation therapy is also performed here in collaboration with relevant specialists. In most cases, radiation therapy is provided on an outpatient basis without a mandatory hospital stay. The key focus is on radiation therapy for patients with breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck tumors. The department's medical team also specializes in radiation therapy for patients with benign diseases. The health of patients is in the safe hands of a highly professional team of experienced doctors who develop a customized course of radiation therapy for each patient, provide detailed information about the peculiarities of the upcoming treatment and the expected results, and support patients during the therapeutic process. Close cooperation between the department's radiation therapists and surgeons, oncologists, and doctors from other related disciplines plays a crucial role in treatment success.
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 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 offers a wide range of therapeutic radiation modalities for the treatment of malignant and benign diseases. The department's team of radiation therapists focuses on patients with oncological diseases of various sites. Radiation therapy is also successfully performed here to treat inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. A team of experienced doctors, technical assistants, and qualified nursing staff provides top-class treatment. In most cases, treatment is provided on an outpatient basis, but if necessary, the patient can be admitted to the hospital. The department's specialists work with state-of-the-art equipment that allows for the use of minimal radiation doses and better targeting while minimizing side effects. The department is equipped with two linear accelerators with a multileaf collimator from Varian with the ability to perform intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy, a brachytherapy system (Nucletron/Elekta), three 3D radiation therapy planning systems (Oncentra), a Zeiss IntraBeam device for intraoperative irradiation of breast tumors and bone metastases, and other devices. The department's radiation therapists participate in weekly tumor boards, where they work with other specialists to develop personalized treatment regimens for each patient. The specialists regularly demonstrate excellent treatment results, which have earned the department a reputation as one of the best in its field in Germany.
Department of Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy specializes in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors, with a particular focus on cancer treatment. The physicians at the medical facility are highly competent in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), brachytherapy, and combination chemoradiation therapy. The department also offers palliative care for patients with advanced stages of cancer. Moreover, the department's radiation therapists have unique competence in performing high-precision stereotactic irradiation of tumors in the brain, lung, and liver. Stereotactic surgery is a highly effective irradiation technique that causes virtually no side effects. In most cases, this therapeutic procedure is an alternative to open surgery for patients for whom surgery is contraindicated. It should be noted that the department is located in a new facility with state-of-the-art equipment, including three linear accelerators from Siemens and Varian, the very latest systems for CT, MRI, and PET/CT. Thus, the doctors have at their command all the necessary resources for effective and safe radiation therapy.
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 Oncology and Hematology
The Department of Oncology and Hematology provides the full range of medical services for patients with malignant solid tumors and malignant pathologies of the hematopoietic system. The main areas of specialization include the treatment of colon, stomach, lung, liver, pancreatic, and female and male reproductive system cancers. The doctors have vast experience treating patients with leukemias, lymphomas, and plasmacytomas. The department's oncologists use in their work modern and highly effective treatment methods such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody therapy, hormone therapy, and others. In many cases, patients with cancer require surgery, for which surgeons are responsible. Palliative care is available for patients with terminal cancers, and experienced psycho-oncologists regularly hold group and individual sessions. In cooperation with radiologists, the department's oncologists perform innovative image-guided therapeutic procedures, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), embolization, ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation, and chemosaturation. The department is certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG). This certificate is an indicator of excellent medical care provided to patients with oncological diseases.
Department of Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy provides the full range of medical services in its area of expertise and specializes in the treatment of oncological diseases using various forms of radiation. The department is the only medical center of this profile in the region. All types of radiation therapy are provided here, including electron and photon irradiation – 3D conformal radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, stereotaxic radiation of the head and whole body, brachytherapy (also with IMRT and the possibility of the whole body radiation). Prior to prescribing a specific type of radiation therapy, the patient must undergo a complete diagnostic examination. Planning of the forthcoming irradiation is carried out using a Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS CT scanner. Radiation therapy sessions are carried out on advanced linear accelerators from Elekta, which provide the maximum therapeutic effect with the minimum radiation dose. Patients are treated by highly professional doctors with many years of clinical experience.
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.
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.
