Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor thataffects the cells of the prostate gland. About 400 000 cases of the disease are diagnosed annually in the world, and in Russia among the oncological diseases in men, prostate cancer takes eighth place. According to statistics, a man can get prostate cancer at any age, however, at the age of 60, the risk increases significantly.
Diagnosis and treatment of this disease in Russiadifficult. The main reasons for this are the insufficient equipment of the clinics and the lack of experienced specialists. Such problems are observed not only in Russia, but also in many other countries, so patients with this diagnosis are forced to contact foreign medical institutions. Germany has shown good results in this area: prostate cancer treatment is one of the most successful in the world.
Oncological diseases are characterized bythe appearance and growth of malignant cells (in this case, in the prostate gland). Treatment gives the fastest and good effect only if the disease is diagnosed in the early stages (1 or 2). The tumor is still small and does not affect neighboring organs. However, at these stages few patients come to the clinic.
The fact is that with small sizes, the tumor does notcauses pain or other vivid symptoms. Oncology of stages 1 and 2 is detected most often during a regular examination. That is why all men who have reached the age of 45 are recommended by doctors to undergo annual urological examinations.
Oncology clinics in Germany managed to achieve good results thanks to several features of the work.
Ongoing research in the field of oncology, search and testing of new drugs.
Paying attention to early diagnostic methods. This is what allows you to identify cancer in the initial stages, as quickly as possible to begin its treatment.
The application of advanced treatment methods in practice.
Well equipped clinics - cancer centers are equipped with the latest devices and equipment.
Upscale doctors.The entire medical staff of the clinics is constantly undergoing continuing education. Oncologists, surgeons and other specialized specialists attend conferences, exchange experiences, and introduce advanced methods of treating prostate cancer in Germany.
Using an integrated approach. This is not only a treatment, but also the work of psychologists.
Fast and accurate cancer diagnosisdiseases - one of the most important keys to success. It allows not only to detect the presence of the disease, but also to provide 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. Under this abbreviation is the namean effective diagnostic method in urology is the identification 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 healthy man, the level of this antigen is quite low. The increased content indicates pathologies in the prostate. This analysis does not indicate the presence of a cancerous tumor, therefore, a more detailed diagnosis is required.
Palpation. This check is carried out by an experienced urologist, but in the early stages it is ineffective.
Transrectal ultrasound. Ultrasound examination of the prostate gland, which gives a clear idea of the state of the organ, the presence or absence of a tumor, its location and size.
MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging. It provides more accurate information about the state of the prostate gland, helps to identify possible metastases.
Biopsy. A biopsy procedure will help confirm the presence of a malignant tumor. During it, prostate cells are taken and carefully studied.
All German clinics exhibit their own price lists, prices at which may vary. To get approximate indicators, you should familiarize yourself with the price list of one of the clinics:
blood tests, ultrasound of organs, specialist advice - about 500 euros;
a detailed urological examination on oncology issues (these are 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 intervention (prostatectomy) -One of the most effective ways to fight oncology. 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 an incision 10-15 cm in the lower abdomen. A little later there was the possibility of laparoscopy without a large incision. However, both of these methods had a number of disadvantages, leading to unpleasant consequences.
Today, German clinics are activelyuse a new method of operations - robot-assisted prostatectomy (often called the da Vinci robot). During this procedure, only a few punctures are made through which the operation is conducted. Compared to previous methods, the Da Vinci operation has the following advantages:
reduces blood loss to a minimum;
reduces the risk of infection;
significantly reduces the recovery postoperative period;
excludes a cosmetic defect;
maintains normal potency and urinary function in the patient.
The short and easy postoperative period after the application of the da Vinci robot allows you not to waste the patient’s strength on recovery, which is very important for cancer patients.
Irradiation can be applied as in the form ofan independent method of therapy, and in combination with other procedures. In the form of the main treatment, this therapy is recommended in those cases when the patient cannot be operated on for one reason or another.
In traditional radiation therapy for cancerthe prostate is exposed to the whole body of the patient, which leads to severe side effects. German clinics were among the first to use low-dose permanent brachytherapy in practice.
Brachytherapy is a procedure duringwhich, with a long thin needle, particles with radioactive iodine are implanted into the patient’s prostate gland. The operation is performed under general or local anesthesia, during which the lower body is anesthetized. The particles are 4.5 mm long and only 0.8 mm in diameter. Immediately after implantation, radioactive grains begin to act on the tumor, block its growth and development.
During brachytherapy, not the whole body of the patient is exposed to radiation, but only the tumor itself, therefore:
increased irradiation efficiency due to a clearly directed action;
side effects are reduced;
the procedure lasts only about an hour, the next day the patient is discharged home.
Such treatment in German clinics suggeststhe appointment of special medicines that block the production of testosterone. The fact is that the testosterone produced affects the tumor, accelerating its growth.
Such treatment is often prescribed in the early stages.oncology, combined with brachytherapy. German clinics always try to use new medicines that have been tested and have shown high efficiency.
HIFU therapy is enoughan effective method of fighting a tumor of the prostate gland. The procedure is that the tumor is exposed to high temperature with the help of special sound vibrations.
This effect destroys cellsneoplasms, does not allow them to share 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 diagnosis.
Another treatment for prostate cancer in Germany, often used by clinics. The method is based on the use of a special apparatus for freezing a tumor.
The doctor conducts a variable freeze and thaw the neoplasm. This disrupts the metabolism of cancer cells and destroys the tumor.
The exact cost of treatment in clinics in Germanyimpossible to name, 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 familiarize yourself with the price list. Prices will be approximately as follows.
In Germany there are about 50 different centers that annually receive hundreds of patients from Europe and residents of the CIS countries. The following is just a small list of medical centers.
City of Munich, clinic "Isar".
Munich City - Full-time oncology and cardiology clinic named after Professor Herrmann.
City of Berlin, Charite - University Hospital.
City of Dortmund, "Prostate Center".
Aachen City - here is the University Hospital.
University Hospital in Mainz.
Prostate Cancer Treatment in Germany - Enoughexpensive service, but every year hundreds of patients from Germany and many other countries use it. An integrated approach, high-tech methods of therapy, qualified specialists - all this allows us to achieve high rates of treatment effectiveness and patient survival.
