Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that affects the cells of the prostate gland. About 400,000 cases of the disease are diagnosed annually in the world, and in Russia prostate cancer ranks eighth among oncological diseases in men. According to statistics, a man can get prostate cancer at any age, but after reaching the age of 60, the risk increases significantly.
Diagnosis and treatment of this disease in Russia is difficult. The main reasons for this are the insufficient equipment of clinics and the lack of experienced specialists. Such problems are observed not only in Russia, but also in many other countries, so patients with such a diagnosis are forced to turn to foreign medical institutions. Germany showed good results in this area: prostate cancer treatment here is one of the most effective in the world.
Peculiarities of diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer
Oncological diseases are characterized by the appearance and growth of malignant cells (in this case, in the prostate gland). Treatment gives the fastest and best effect only if the disease is diagnosed in the early stages (1 or 2). The tumor is still small anddoes not affect neighboring organs. However, few patients come to the clinic during these stages.
The fact is that with a small size, the tumor does not cause pain or other striking symptoms. Oncology of 1 and 2 stages is detected most often during a regular examination. That is why doctors strongly recommend that all men who have reached the age of 45 undergo annual urological examinations.
Complex approach to treatment
German oncology clinics managed to achieve good results due to several features of their work.
- Ongoing research in the field of oncology, search and testing of new drugs.
- Paying attention to early diagnostics. This is what makes it possible to detect cancer in the initial stages, to begin its treatment as quickly as possible.
- Practicing advanced treatments.
- Well-equipped clinics - oncology centers are equipped with the latest devices and equipment.
- High quality doctors. The entire medical staff of clinics is constantly undergoing advanced training. Oncologists, surgeons and other narrow specialists attend conferences, exchange experience, introduce advanced methods of prostate cancer treatment in Germany.
- Using an integrated approach. This is not only treatment, but also the work of psychologists.
Methods for diagnosing prostate cancer in German clinics
Fast and accurate diagnosis in cancerdiseases is one of the most important keys to success. It allows not only to identify the presence of the disease, but also to give comprehensive information about the nature of the disease, the location and size of the tumor. Based on this, a course of treatment is built.
PSA. This abbreviation hides the name of an effective diagnostic method in urology - the detection of the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. This antigen is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland. In the body of a he althy man, the level of this antigen is quite low. An increased content indicates pathologies in the prostate. This analysis does not indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor, so a more detailed diagnosis is required.
- Palpation. This test is performed by an experienced urologist, but is not very effective in the early stages.
- Transrectal ultrasound. An ultrasound examination of the prostate gland, which gives a clear picture of the state of the organ, the presence or absence of a tumor, its location and size.
-
MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging. Gives more accurate information about the condition of the prostate gland, helps to identify possible metastases.
- Biopsy. A biopsy procedure will help to definitively confirm the presence of a malignant tumor. During it, prostate cells are taken and carefully studied.
Cost of diagnostics in Germany
All clinics in Germany set their own price lists, priceswhich may vary. To get approximate figures, you should familiarize yourself with the price list of one of the clinics:
- blood tests, ultrasound of organs, specialist consultation - about 500 euros;
- detailed urological examination on oncology issues (ultrasound of organs, PSA, specialist consultation, biopsy procedure and histological examination) - about 2,000 euros;
- biopsy and histological examination - about 1,500 euros;
- MRI - about 800 euros.
Surgical treatment of prostate cancer
Surgical intervention (prostatectomy) is one of the most effective ways to fight cancer. This option is only suitable if the cancer has not metastasized. The doctor removes the affected organ.
Previously, prostatectomy was performed in an open way. During it, the surgeon made a 10-15 cm incision in the lower abdomen. A little later, it became possible to perform laparoscopy without a large incision. However, both of these methods had a number of drawbacks and led to unpleasant consequences.
Today, German clinics are actively using a new method of performing operations - robot-assisted prostatectomy (often called the da Vinci robot). During this procedure, only a few punctures are made through which the operation is performed. Compared to previous methods, Da Vinci surgery has the following advantages:
- reduces tominimum blood loss;
- reduces the risk of infection;
- significantly reduces the recovery postoperative period;
- excludes cosmetic defect;
- maintains normal potency and urinary function in the patient.
Short and easy postoperative period after the use of the da Vinci robot allows you not to waste the patient's strength on recovery, which is very important for cancer patients.
Irradiation
Irradiation can be used both as an independent method of therapy, and in combination with other procedures. As the main treatment, this therapy is recommended in cases where the patient cannot undergo surgery for one reason or another.
Traditional radiation therapy for prostate cancer exposes the patient's entire body to radiation, resulting in severe side effects. German clinics were among the first to use low-dose permanent brachytherapy in practice.
Brachytherapy is a procedure in which particles of radioactive iodine are implanted into the patient's prostate with a long, thin needle. The operation is performed under general or local anesthesia, during which the lower part of the body is anesthetized. The particles are 4.5 mm long and only 0.8 mm in diameter. Immediately after implantation, radioactive seeds begin to affect the tumor, blocking its growth and development.
In brachytherapy, not the entire body of the patient is exposed to radiation, but only the tumor itself, therefore:
- increases the effectiveness of irradiation, thanks to a clearly directed action;
- reduce side effects;
- the procedure lasts only about an hour, the next day the patient is discharged home.
Hormone Therapy
Such treatment in German clinics involves the appointment of special medications that block the production of testosterone. The fact is that the produced testosterone affects the tumor, accelerating its growth.
This treatment is often prescribed in the early stages of oncology, combined with brachytherapy. German clinics are always trying to use new medicines that have been tested and shown to be highly effective.
HIFU therapy
HIFU-therapy is a fairly effective method of dealing with prostate cancer. The procedure is that the tumor is exposed to high temperature using special sound vibrations.
Such an impact destroys the cells of the neoplasm, does not allow them to divide further. The disadvantage of this method is that it can not be applied in all cases. The decision on effectiveness is made after passing the diagnostics.
Cryoablation
Another way to treat prostate cancer in Germany, often used in clinics. The method is based on the use of a special apparatus for freezing the tumor.
The doctor performs variable freezing and thawing of the neoplasm. This disrupts the metabolism of cancer cells and destroysswelling.
Cost of prostate cancer treatment in Germany
It is impossible to name the exact cost of treatment in German clinics, since an individual course of treatment is formed for each patient. It depends on the stage of the disease, the size and location of the tumor, the presence of metastases, the age and general condition of the patient.
Each clinic offers to get acquainted with the price list. Prices will be approximately as follows.
- Radiation therapy - about 3,000 euros.
- Brachytherapy - about 9,000 euros.
- HIFU therapy - about 8,500 euros.
- Laparoscopic prostatectomy - about 8,000 euros.
- Prostate cancer treatment in Germany with the da Vinci method - approximately 12,500 euros.
German medical centers that specialize in oncology
In Germany, there are about 50 different centers that annually receive hundreds of patients from Europe and residents of the CIS countries. Below is just a small list of medical centers.
- City of Munich, Isar clinic.
- City of Munich - Prof. Herrmann Oncology and Cardiology Day Clinic.
- City of Berlin, Charité - University Hospital.
- City of Dortmund, "Prostate Center".
- City of Aachen - here is the University Hospital.
- University hospital in Mainz.
Prostate cancer treatment in Germany is quite an expensive service, but hundreds of patients from Germany and many other countries use it every year. An integrated approach, high-tech methods of therapy, qualified specialists - all this allows us to achieve high rates of treatment efficiency and patient survival.
