Radiation therapy for lung cancer: treatment in the best hospitals in the world
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Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology specializes in all types of modern radiation therapy for the treatment of cancers and pain syndromes. Radiation therapy can be performed before, during or after surgery. In some cases, the department's doctors manage to achieve a positive result only with the help of radiation therapy, and thereby eliminate the need for surgical treatment. Prior to radiation therapy, it is carefully planned using the very latest imaging systems. The department's doctors are highly professional experts and have unique experience, thanks to which they provide excellent medical services.
Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology
The Department of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology offers all types of modern radiation therapy for the highly effective treatment of benign and malignant tumors. The department is equipped with three linear accelerators and brachytherapy systems, which provide patients with the safest, most effective, and most sparing irradiation of tissues affected by oncopathology. The department also provides radiotherapy planning and radiosurgery. An ultramodern technical base, exceptional professionalism, and experience of the department's physicians are the cornerstones of successful clinical practice.
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.
Radiation therapy can be used for most types of cancer. A malignant lung tumor is no exception. During radiation therapy, radiation enters the patient's body, which destroys cancer cells. As a rule, the technique cannot be used as the main method. It only complements surgery and chemotherapy. For instance, Gamma Knife surgery in lung cancer is used for the treatment of metastases in the brain.
Application areas
Radiation therapy can be used in the following cases:
1. Early stage of lung cancer. The method is used as the main one if the patient is contraindicated in a surgical operation or he refuses it. The radiation therapy can sometimes cure cancer, but the effectiveness of this method is lower than that of a lung resection. In case of non-small-cell lung carcinoma, brachytherapy (contact radiation therapy) can sometimes be used at stage 0, as an alternative to surgery.
2. Before the surgical procedure. Most cases of lung cancer at the time of detection are inoperable. The tumors are too large and cannot be removed while maintaining sufficient lung volume for respiration. The radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy before surgery can sometimes reduce the size of the neoplasm. If successful, the doctor can remove the tumor, giving the person a chance to cure the disease.
3. After the surgical procedure. It cannot always be applied, since chemotherapy is the main method for relapse prevention after surgery. Consider the main situations where radiation can be used to destroy the remaining cancer cells:
- Stage 1 small-cell lung cancer – only if the resection margins are positive. If there are no malignant cells at the margins of the removed tissue, only chemotherapy can be used.
- Stage 2 small-cell lung cancer and further stages of this cancer usually cannot be operated.
- Stage 0 and 1 non-small-cell lung cancer does not require any additional treatment methods other than surgery.
- Stage 2 non-small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with surgery and postoperative chemotherapy, while radiation therapy can be used only in the case of positive resection margins.
- Stage 3 non-small-cell lung cancer can rarely be operated, but if the operation is performed, it should be followed by radiation and chemotherapy.
4. Prophylactic cranial irradiation. It can be used only for small-cell lung carcinoma. It can very often spread metastases to the brain. At the time of detection of the disease, the spread of the tumor into the central nervous system is already possible. Even if MRI cannot detect metastases, they can be very small at the time of the examination. Therefore, cranial irradiation is carried out for preventive purposes. It is always done at the initial stage of cancer if the patient is operated. In advanced, inoperable stages, prophylactic cranial irradiation is optional. Nonetheless, it is often used to increase a person's life expectancy and prevent the growth of metastatic tumors in the brain.
5. Inoperable lung cancer. The main treatments usually include chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Radiation therapy can be used in addition to them or instead of chemotherapy, if it is contraindicated to the patient. The radiation helps to inhibit the growth of the tumor and reduce the main symptoms (pain, bleeding, coughing and difficulty swallowing).
6. Lung cancer metastasis. Radiation therapy can be used to irradiate metastatic foci in the bones, brain or other areas, to reduce their size.
External beam radiation therapy
To treat lung cancer, the doctors mostly use external beam radiation therapy. When carrying out this type of therapy, the radiation source is located outside the patient's body and acts on it from a certain distance. In the classic version, the procedure is similar to an x-ray. It is painless for the patient. The only difference is the precise guidance of the beams to the tumor at a higher dose of radiation.
The radiation procedure lasts only a few minutes. Typically, the patient attends radiation therapy sessions repeatedly. He is irradiated 5 days a week, with a break for the weekend. The course of treatment lasts an average of one and a half months.
The world's best Cancer Centers use more advanced radiation methods. They are more efficient and safer because they direct more radiation to the tumor and less to healthy tissues. These techniques also require fewer sessions. Here are some new options of external beam radiation therapy:
Stereotactic body radiation therapy. It is also called stereotactic ablative radiotherapy. It is mainly used for the radical treatment of early stage tumors if surgery is contraindicated, as well as for the destruction of metastatic foci in the brain and adrenal glands. When conducting therapy, the high-dose focused beams are used. In total, the patient requires from 1 to 5 procedures. The beams are directed at the tumor at different angles to reduce damage to healthy tissues and side effects.
3D conformal radiation therapy. This radiation technique is based on volume planning. The doctors consider the location of the tumor in three-dimensional space.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy. It is the same as 3D conformal radiation therapy, but it allows for the further modulation of the intensity of the radioactive rays so that some parts of the tumor receive more radiation. This is the most sparing technique that can be used when the neoplasm is located near functionally important organs (for example, near the spinal cord).
Volumetric modulated arc therapy. It is a variation of the previous technique. It is equally effective and safe. In addition, it allows for a quick irradiation, in just a few minutes.
Radiosurgery. Gamma Knife procedure for lung cancer is a special type of radiation therapy, in which a large dose of radiation that destroys the tumor is used within a single session. Gamma Knife lung cancer treatment is mainly used in metastatic brain damage, if single or multiple small metastases are detected in it. Gamma Knife surgery for lung cancer itself is not used, as the Gamma Knife system is designed for interventions of brain and spinal cord.
Contact radiation therapy
In case of contact radiation therapy, the radiation source is injected directly into the area of the tumor. This type of treatment is called brachytherapy. It is not very common and doctors mainly use it to treat non-small-cell lung carcinoma.
The essence of the method is that radioactive seeds are introduced into the area where the tumor is located. Sometimes they can give strong radiation. In this case, they are placed only for several minutes, and then removed. There is also a technique, in which seeds give weak radiation. The radiation reserve is depleted in a few days. The radiation source remains in the patient’s body forever, but after a while it no longer poses a health hazard. This method is also applied in patients with prostate malignancies.
Here are some of the methods of radioactive seed introduction:
- With bronchoscopy, usually in case of advanced cancer to reduce the symptoms of the disease
- During the surgical procedure to remove lung cancer, in order to destroy the remaining cancer cells and prevent the recurrence of the disease
Treatment abroad with the Booking Health company
To undergo a course of radiation therapy, including treatment with Gamma Knife for lung cancer with brain metastases, you may use the services of the Booking Health. The company offers the following benefits:
- Selection of the best clinic, which specializes in the treatment of lung cancer and achieves the best results in this field of oncology.
- Reduced cost of medical services up to 50% due to the lack of overpricing and additional coefficients for foreign patients.
- Making an appointment on the most suitable dates for you.
- Preparation of the program taking into account the previously performed tests.
- Establishment of communication directly with the doctor of the Cancer Center.
- Monitoring of all stages of the program.
- Control of invoicess, return of unspent funds.
- Buying and forwarding medicines.
- Organization of additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
- Communication with the clinic upon treatment completion.
The Booking health company will provide you with top-class services. We will book airline tickets and a room for you at the hotel closest to the Medical Center, arrange transfers from the airport to the clinic and back.
