Radiation therapy for lung cancer: treatment in the best hospitals in the world
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine
The Department of Radiation Therapy, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine provides treatment of both benign and malignant tumors, as well as the treatment of changes in the tissues by means of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy for the treatment of tumors is usually used in combination with surgery and / or chemotherapy.
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
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 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 Adult and Pediatric Radiation Oncology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Radiation Oncology offers the full range of services in this medical field. The department specializes in the treatment of cancer of various organs with the help of ionizing radiation. An experienced medical team of the department applies the very latest and most effective methods of therapy, thanks to which it provides excellent treatment results even in especially severe clinical cases.
Department of Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy offers the full range of medical services in the field of its competence. Modern radiation therapy techniques are available here for treating both malignant and benign diseases. In most cases, the doctors at the medical facility conduct intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), and stereotactic radiation therapy. The department also successfully combines radiation therapy and hyperthermia for sarcoma treatment. Radiation therapy is conducted with the use of state-of-the-art equipment, including the advanced systems of the world's leading companies such as Varian and Siemens. Prior to any irradiation procedure, thorough planning using advanced imaging systems is made. The department is certified in compliance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 standards and the requirements of the German Cancer Society (DKG). More than 60,000 radiation therapy sessions are performed here every year, so patients can be sure that they trust their health to true professionals. The department's doctors always devote enough time to personal communication with the patient and explain in detail the upcoming treatment and its expected outcomes.
Department of Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Therapy provides a full range of medical services in its area of competence and specializes in all types of modern radiation therapy using the latest technological achievements. The main profile of the healthcare facility is the treatment of oncological diseases. Therapeutic options also include irradiation for benign pathologies, such as degenerative joint changes. The department's team of radiation therapists is highly qualified and has all the necessary resources to perform 3D conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), intensity-modulated tomotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiotherapy, respiratory-guided radiotherapy, brachytherapy, total body irradiation, and combined chemoradiotherapy. The department treats more than 1,800 patients annually, over 1,300 of whom receive treatment on an outpatient basis. Medical care is provided by a highly skilled team of physicians, including 22 radiation therapists, 12 medical physicists, and 30 medical technologists. Specialists provide the highest quality of treatment in the most comfortable environment, observing the principles of a humane approach to the patient. The optimal type of radiation therapy, the duration of the course of treatment, and its intensity are determined individually, taking into account the characteristics of the clinical case. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art equipment, radiation therapy in the department is characterized by exceptional efficiency and a high degree of safety.
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.
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.
