Cancer treatment in Germany

In the post-pandemic world, Germany is a leader of the medical tourism industry, when it comes to cancer care. Oncology in Germany includes “one-stop” centers for comprehensive treatment, specialized healthcare facilities where physicians focus on certain types of oncology, proton therapy centers, etc. It is also a destination for people seeking alternative cancer care. Foreigners can undergo cancer treatment in Germany with the help of the international medical tourism provider – Booking Health.

Surgical treatment

Surgery is the first-line option in many cancer types, except for blood cancer. Clinics in Germany tend to perform minimally invasive interventions and avoid the unnecessary tissue trauma. Another aim is maximum removal of malignant cells. Several of the most efficient surgical options are described below.

Visualase is the MRI-guided laser ablation system. It allows removing small brain tumors and brain metastases through 3 mm holes in the skull. The system also makes it possible to find the optimal route, so the healthy brain tissue remains undamaged.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows removing tumors inside the chest. A camera and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions in the chest wall.

The da Vinci robotic system is used for removing malignancies inside the abdomen and combines minimal invasiveness with robotic precision. A surgeon performs all the manipulations with the help of robotic manipulators, not with his own hand.

Radiation therapy

In Germany, radiation therapy is mainly a part of a complex therapeutic scheme. It can supplement chemotherapy in order to enhance drug efficacy, precede surgery or consolidate its result, etc. Physicians prefer targeted and sparing types of irradiation, such as:

• Proton therapy that releases its damaging energy only inside the tumor. With proton therapy, patients receive higher radiation doses, while damage to nearby healthy tissues is significantly reduced.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) uses both photon and proton beams. The resulting beam resembles the shape of a tumor, so healthy tissues are not exposed to radiation at all.
• Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) uses small beams of photons with varying intensity. The device rotates around the patient, which results in targeting the tumor in a 3D manner.

Local irradiation techniques, like brachytherapy and intraoperative radiation therapy, are also used.

Systemic treatments

Systemic treatments are used to destroy invisible and undetectable malignant foci, as well as to prevent cancer progression. The most researched systemic treatment is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy in Germany uses medications with the lowest toxicity. In addition, patients have enough time to recover between chemotherapy cycles.

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are more sparing, as they affect only malignant cells or their environment. Being rarely used as the first-line option, these treatments are excellent in controlling advanced cancer.

CAR T-cell therapy is the front-line treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. Despite high price and limited availability, it is the called-for option that “teaches” a patient’s white blood cells to kill the malignant ones.

The leading oncological hospitals

German hospitals demonstrate excellent success rates in cancer care. The best among the best are:

• Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch
• St. Vincentius Hospital Karlsruhe – Academic Hospital of the University of Freiburg
• HELIOS Clinic Krefeld
• MediClin Robert Janker Clinic
• Medias Cancer Clinic Burghausen

International patients, who want to visit one of the leading healthcare facilities, should contact Booking Health. Booking Health is the certified medical tourism provider that arranges treatment of cancer patients from 75 countries in Germany for over 12 years. Specialists will assist in:

• Choosing a hospital and physician
• Choosing a treatment program
• Making urgent appointment
• Receiving visa
• Booking tickets, transfer, and accommodation
• Excluding additional fees from prices for medial services
• Translating medical reports
• And much more

A personal interpreter will accompany you at the hospital, and a personal medical coordinator will stay in touch 24/7.

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