The program includes:
- Initial presentation in the hospital
- Clinical history taking
- Review of available medical records
- Physical examination
- Laboratory tests:
- Complete blood count
- General urine analysis
- Biochemical analysis of blood
- Tumor markers
- Inflammation indicators (CRP, ESR)
- Coagulogram
- Ultrasound scan
- CT scan / MRI
- Preoperative care
- Embolization or chemoembolization, 2 procedures
- Symptomatic treatment
- Cost of essential medicines
- Nursing services
- Elaboration of further recommendations
How program is carried out
During the first visit, the doctor will conduct a clinical examination and go through the results of the available diagnostic tests. After that, you will undergo the necessary additional examination, such as the assessment of liver and kidney function, ultrasound scan, CT scan and MRI. This will allow the doctor to determine which vessels are feeding the tumor and its metastases, as well as determine how well you will tolerate the procedure.
Chemoembolization begins with local anesthesia and catheterization of the femoral artery. The thin catheter is inserted through a few centimeters long incision of the blood vessel. The doctor gradually moves the catheter to the vessel feeding the primary tumor or its metastases. The procedure is carried out under visual control, an angiographic device is used for this. The vascular bed and the position of the catheter in it are displayed on the screen of the angiograph.
When the catheter reaches a suspected artery, a contrast agent is injected through it. Due to the introduction of the contrast agent, the doctor clearly sees the smallest vessels of the tumor and the surrounding healthy tissues on the screen of the angiograph. After that, he injects emboli into the tumor vessels through the same catheter.
Emboli are the spirals or the liquid microspheres. The type of embolus is selected individually, taking into account the diameter of the target vessel. When carrying out chemoembolization, a solution of a chemotherapy drug is additionally injected into the tumor vessel. Due to the subsequent closure of the vessel lumen with an embolus, the chemotherapy drug influences the tumor for a long time. In addition, the drug does not enter the systemic circulation, which allows doctors to use high doses of chemotherapeutic agents without the development of serious side effects. Chemoembolization leads to the destruction of the tumor or slowing down its progression.
After that, the catheter is removed from the artery. The doctor puts a vascular suture on the femoral artery and closes it with a sterile dressing. During chemoembolization, you will be awake. General anesthesia is not used, which significantly reduces the risks of the procedure and allows performing it on an outpatient basis, avoiding long hospital stay.
After the first procedure, you will stay under the supervision of an interventional oncologist and general practitioner. If necessary, you will receive symptomatic treatment. As a rule, a second chemoembolization procedure is performed in 3-5 days after the first one in order to consolidate the therapeutic effect. After that, you will receive recommendations for further follow-up and treatment.
Required documents
- Medical records
- MRI/CT scan (not older than 3 months)
- Biopsy results (if available)
Service
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About the department
According to the Focus magazine, the Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology at the Charite University Hospital Berlin ranks among the top German medical facilities specializing in prostate cancer treatment!
The department offers all types of modern diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients with urologic diseases. Of particular interest is the treatment of urogenital tumors in men and urogynecological diseases. The department also specializes in kidney transplantation, which is carried out within the specialized center. This center is the largest in Germany and Europe and annually demonstrates high treatment success rates. In addition, the department's competence covers the treatment of urological problems in boys of all age groups.
The Head Physician of the department is Prof. Dr. med. Thorsten Schlomm. The doctor enjoys a reputation as a highly competent expert in minimally invasive and da Vinci robot-assisted surgery for prostate cancer. For more than 15 years of his clinical practice, he has performed more than 3,000 of the above-mentioned surgical procedures. It is very important for the doctor not only to perform the operation as efficiently as possible but also to maintain potency. In addition to successful clinical activities, Prof. Thorsten Schlomm works on scientific publications (he has almost 350 of them) and books and is a member of the German, European, and American Societies of Urology.
The department's doctors have a perfect command of all conservative and surgical treatment methods of urological cancer pathologies, benign prostatic hyperplasia, penile and testicular diseases, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence in men and women, hormonal disorders and infertility in men. In the field of pediatric urology, the department treats all malformations of the urogenital system in boys, for example, phimosis, cryptorchidism, etc.
It is worth noting that the department has a reputation of the leading Laparoscopic Urological Center. A large number of operations are performed using laparoscopic techniques (for example, nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, ureteral interventions, and others). However, some clinical cases require classic open surgeries and the department's surgeon can also perform them very well. In addition, the department's technical base and the professionalism of doctors allow them to achieve outstanding results even in particularly complex cases.
The service range of the department includes:
- Diagnostics and treatment of prostate cancer
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound-, MRI-guided biopsy (puncture, fusion biopsy)
- 3T MRI (in collaboration with the Department of Radiology)
- PSMA-PET (in collaboration with the Department of Nuclear Medicine)
- Therapy
- Open interventions on the prostate gland
- Robotic interventions (da Vinci) on the prostate gland
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
- Irreversible electroporation
- Drug treatment
- Radiation therapy (intensity-modulated radiation therapy, irradiation of metastases)
- Diagnostics and treatment of bladder cancer
- Diagnostics
- Fluorescent cystoscopy (Hexvix®)
- 3Tl MRI of the bladder; CT/MR urography with 3D reconstruction for the assessment of the upper urinary tract condition (in collaboration with the Department of Radiology)
- High resolution transrectal/transvaginal ultrasound examination
- Imaging examinations (in collaboration with the Departments of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine): CT, MRI, skeletal scintigraphy
- Therapy
- Surgical treatment
- Transurethral resection (Hexvix®)
- Partial resection with bladder preservation in appropriate indications (open and robotic operations)
- Total bladder removal with ileal reconstruction (radical cystectomy; open and robotic surgeries)
- Total bladder removal followed by reconstruction (open and robotic surgeries)
- Ureteroscopy (URS) and local laser therapy or local resection of renal pelvis tumors through percutaneous access (with the preservation of kidneys and ureters)
- Nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff excision (open, robotic and laparoscopic surgery)
- Drug therapy
- Chemotherapy (neo/adjuvant chemotherapy) before and after surgery
- Immunotherapy
- Surgical treatment
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of kidney cancer
- Diagnostics
- CT, MRI (in collaboration with the Department of Radiology )
- Ultrasound-, CT- guided biopsy
- Therapy
- Partial kidney resection (open, robotic and laparoscopic surgeries)
- Total kidney removal (open, robotic and laparoscopic surgeries)
- Metastasis surgery
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of testicular cancer
- Diagnostics
- Cryopreservation
- Imaging examinations (in collaboration with the Departments of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine)
- Therapy
- Removal of testicular tumors (orchiectomy), if necessary with lymph node removal
- Residual tumor resection in metastases after chemotherapy completion
- Testicular prosthetic surgery
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of penile cancer
- Tumor removal (partial penile amputation)
- Total penile amputation (penectomy)
- Removal of inguinal and pelvic lymph nodes (open and laparoscopic techniques)
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics and treatment of urogynecological tumors
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound examinations
- Cystoscopy
- Rectoscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
- X-ray
- Therapy
- Tumor removal with the subsequent reconstruction of the urethra, bladder or ureter with the preservation of fertility
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics
- Kidney transplantation
- Interdisciplinary diagnostics as part of a special kidney transplantation program
- Preparation of patient for the transplantation (in collaboration with the Department of Nephrology)
- Kidney transplantation surgeries and kidney donation
- Diagnostics and treatment of kidney stones
- Diagnostics
- Native, low-dose CT (in collaboration with the Department of Radiology)
- Therapy
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy with continuous stone positioning (real-time tracking) or using X-ray
- Flexible and rigid ureteroscopy
- Percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (including mini and ultra mini technique)
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Transurethral resection of the prostate
- Laser vaporization using Greenlight laser
- Prostate embolization (in collaboration with the Department of Radiology)
- Diagnostics and treatment of erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- Penile prosthetic surgery
- Drug treatment
- Vacuum therapy
- Diagnostics and treatment of urinary incontinence in men
- Sling procedures (Advance Band)
- Artificial sphincter implantation (AMS, VICTOR)
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics and treatment of urinary incontinence in women
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound examinations
- Cystoscopy
- X-ray
- Urodynamic testing
- Therapy
- Sling procedures (TVT, TVTO)
- Colposuspension (abdominal, laparoscopic, vaginal)
- Artificial sphincter implantation (AMS)
- Injection of bulking agents
- Botox injections
- Sacral neuromodulation
- Reconstructive interventions after cancer (for example, artificial bladder formation from segments of the small intestine)
- Surgical repair of fistulas
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of pelvic diseases in women
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound examinations
- Cystoscopy
- Rectoscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
- X-ray
- Colposcopy
- Urodynamic testing
- Therapy
- Sacropexy (minimally invasive vaginal or laparoscopic, abdominal)
- Cystocele correction
- Enterocele correction
- Rectocele correction
- Pelvic prolapse correction
- Treatment of bladder emptying disorders
- Treatment of defecation disorders
- Pelvic floor reconstruction after oncological interventions with sexual function preservation
- Hysterectomy
- Myomectomy
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of urogenital endometriosis
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound examinations
- Cystoscopy
- Rectoscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
- X-ray
- Therapy
- Sanitation with fertility preservation (removal of endometriosis followed by reconstruction of the bladder and ureters)
- Drug treatment
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of urogynecological fistulas
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound examinations
- Cystoscopy
- Rectoscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
- X-ray
- Therapy
- Minimally invasive fistula surgery
- Fistula treatment using flap surgery
- Stent implantation
- Drug therapy
- Diagnostics
- Medical care for couples with sexual problems
- Diagnostics and treatment of chronic pelvic pain
- Diagnostics
- Ultrasound examinations
- Cystoscopy
- Ureterorenoscopy
- X-ray
- Urodynamic testing
- Therapy
- Scar revision
- Augmentation plastic surgery
- Imposition of a special mesh with subsequent reconstruction of the urethra, bladder or ureter
- Fistula surgery
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostics and treatment of urological diseases in children
- Vesicoureteral reflux
- Preparation and performance of kidney transplantation, including kidney donation
- Functional disorders of bladder emptying
- Neurogenic disorders of bladder emptying
- Disorders of urodynamics in the urinary tracts
- Urethral malformations
- Diseases of the external reproductive organs
- Disorders of sexual differentiation
- Urinary tract stones
- Prenatal care in urological diseases
- Medical care for adults with congenital and acquired urological diseases in childhood
- Other urological diseases, other diagnostic and treatment methods
Curriculum vitae
Education and Professional Career
- Study of Human Medicine and Doctorate in Göttingen and Denver (USA), specialist training in Urology at the University Hospitals of Göttingen and Hamburg.
- 2003 - 2007 Assistant Physician, Department of Urology at the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf with clinical and scientific focus on the diagnostics and therapy of prostate cancer.
- 2007 - 2018 Senior Physician at the Martini Clinic, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
- 2007 - 2018 Center Coordinator of the Martini Clinic for the German Cancer Society/OnkoZert (certified Prostate Cancer Center).
- 2009 Habilitation in Urology on the subject: "High throughput clinical validation of predictive and therapeutic biomarkers in prostate cancer using the tissue microarray (TMA) technique".
- 2010 - 2018 Scientific Director of the Martini Clinic, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
- 2011 Appointment as University Professor (W3), Department of Urology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf.
- Since 2016 Adjunct Professor of Molecular Urology, Centre for Cancer Biomarkers CCBIO, University of Bergen, Norway.
- Since 2018 Professor of Urology (W3) and Head of the Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology at the Charite University Hospital Berlin.
Membership in Professional Societies
- German, European and American Society of Urology.
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
Clinical Focuses
- Prostate cancer: open surgical and robot-assisted (da Vinci) nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.
- Therapy of metastatic prostate cancer.
- Gene-based cancer therapy.
Research Focuses
- Cancer research.
- Clinical Coordinator of the International Cancer Genome Consortium and the Cancer Genome Atlas.
Photo of the doctor: (c) Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Sources:
About hospital
According to the authoritative Focus magazine, the Charite University Hospital Berlin occupies the first place in the rating of the top German medical facilities!
The hospital in Germany provides modern diagnostics and treatment of patients, as well as the training of practicing physicians and scientists. More than half of all German Nobel Prize winners in the field of medicine and physiology, such as Emil von Behring, Robert Koch and Paul Ehrlich, trained and worked in the hospital. The structure of the medical complex includes over 100 specialized departments and institutes, which allows the doctors to guarantee their patients' services in all the existing medical fields. The hospital in Germany has outstanding experience in treating particularly complex clinical cases.
The hospital annually diagnoses and treats more than 152,693 inpatients and about 692,920 outpatients. It also has a huge medical team consisting of 4,225 scientists and doctors and and more than 4,500 nursing staff members who provide top-class medical treatment in Germany. The key task for all specialists of the medical facility is restoring the patient's health or preserving in critical cases. At the same time, the hospital offers a friendly atmosphere, and each patient feels care, respect and sympathy.
The excellent technical medical equipment, highly skilled personnel, availability of innovative diagnostic and treatment techniques, and high ethical standards form a solid foundation for successful clinical and scientific activities. Thus, the hospital is a leading provider of high-quality treatment in Germany.
Photo: (с) depositphotos
Accommodation in hospital
Patients rooms
The patients of the Charite University Hospital Berlin live in comfortable rooms made of modern design. Each room is equipped with an ensuite bathroom with a toilet and a shower. The standard room furnishing includes an automatically adjustable bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe for storing clothes, a table and chairs for receiving visitors, and a TV. If desired, Wi-Fi access can be provided. The hospital also offers enhanced-comfort rooms.
Meals and Menus
The patient and his accompanying person have a daily choice of three menus. If for any reason, you do not like the food, you will be offered an individual menu. Please inform the medical staff about your dietary preferences before the treatment.
Further details
Standard rooms include:
Religion
Religious services are available upon request.
Accompanying person
During the inpatient program, an accompanying person may stay with you in a patient room or at the hotel of your choice.
Hotel
During the outpatient program, you can live at a hotel of your choice. Managers will help you to choose the most suitable options.
The hospital offers a full range of laboratory tests (general, hormonal, tests for infections, antibodies, tumor markers, etc.), genetic tests, various modifications of ultrasound scans, CT scans, MRI and PET / CT, angiography, myelography, biopsy and other examinations. Treatment with medications, endoscopic and robotic operations, stereotaxic interventions is carried out here, modern types of radiation therapy are also used. The hospital offers patients all the necessary therapeutic techniques.
- Proton therapy
- CyberKnife treatment
- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)
- PSMA therapy with Lutetium-177
- Joint replacement in adults and children
These are oncological diseases, benign neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord, heart valve defects, diabetes mellitus and its complications, joint diseases and other pathologies.
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Interventional radiology
- Proton therapy (Proton Therapy Center BerlinProtonen)
The medical team includes more than 4,225 highly qualified scientists and doctors.