Cancer is a terrible diagnosis, which has been put more and more often in recent years. Everyone can face him. Oncology does not select victims among a certain social layer, does not look at the level of success, interests and preferences, gender. Previously, the word "cancer" was akin to a sentence and meant that there was practically no hope. But modern methods of treating oncology in Germany give all chances to those who have been given a terrible diagnosis. As the experience of those who have already undergone such therapy shows, the disease does not just go away and never returns, but a fairly high quality of life is also maintained. Customer reviews of cancer treatment in Germany mention different clinics, but are they all reliable? Let's try to understand the main positive qualities of German treatment programs and clinic offers.
Cancer: sentence or prognosis?
A few decades ago, on average, only a year and a half passed from the moment of diagnosis of “cancer” to death. Now this time period has stretched to 12 years. Moreover, in Russia the average figure is only three years. Of course, the choice in favor of domestic medicine is extremely patriotic (and it’s cheaper), but those who want to live a long and happy life without looking back at the clinic should choose really good doctors who have access to reliable equipment and modern medicines.
At the same time, one must understand that German doctors cannot work miracles. Both the duration of life after treatment and the success of a therapeutic program are directly dependent on the stage of the disease. Statistics show that treatment in Germany of complex forms of oncology brings positive results even in the case of those patients who were not promised any positive prognoses in our country. But there are also situations where even German doctors can only warn that any treatment will only alleviate the patient’s condition.
Start from the beginning
As with any other serious pathology, treatment gives the best results, if not delayed with the onset. If you start to fight oncology as soon as the first signs of the disease appear, there is no doubt - a positive outcome is almost guaranteed.
Today, detecting cancer at an early stage is much simpler than it was several decades ago. For this, effective diagnostic techniques have been developed. The timeliness of the diagnosis is largely dependent on the equipment used, the analyzes made. If a person has suspicions of oncology, it is necessary to contact specialists who can accurately identify the cause of health problems. As the reviews about the treatment of oncology in Germany are visually dismantled, German doctors can not only deal with pathology, but also detect health problems in the early stages, unless, of course, the patient turned to the doctor, he hardly suspected something was wrong.
When to go to Germany?
Most patients turn to German doctors when the diagnosis has already been established by doctors of domestic clinics. If you suspect such a serious violation of health, you can contact the specialists of German clinics earlier, so that it is there, abroad, that you conduct a complete comprehensive study of the body and identify the cause of poor health. There are cases when Russian doctors, not having enough modern equipment, simply could not detect the disease, although the patient came with complaints. If there are health problems, and domestic doctors are not able to find the cause, then it's time to go for examination to other countries, but in no case to delay, hoping that it will pass by itself.
It must be understood that sometimes German doctors do not confirm the diagnosis made in Russia. Such situations are also explained by more modern equipment, access to the latest analysis technologies. As a rule, another pathology is detected, erroneously rated as oncology. However, such cases are quite rare. If you immediately turn to Germany with the first suspicions of pathology, there is no doubt that the disease will be found even at an early stage.
The main advantage of oncology treatment in Germany is the timely diagnosis, which allows you to start the fight against pathology earlier. Remember that in the first two stages of a malignant neoplasm, up to 90% survive in the first five years and do not face a relapse. The main thing is to detect the disease in time and begin its treatment.
Technologically!
What technologies are used by the best German oncology clinics ? For diagnostics, one of the most common methods is ultrasound, as well as methods developed by radiologists. These are MRI, CT, positron emission tomography, refined by computer or without it. The latest option is the most modern, accurate, productive, allows you to identify malignant formations from one and a half millimeters in size. Thus, doctors can diagnose the presence of metastases, and not just the tumor itself. In Russia’s clinics, PET-CT is virtually unavailable, since this technology requires the availability of impeccable quality samples of radiopharmaceuticals used in the process. In addition, the results that the installation produces must be able to read correctly, and for this it is necessary to have both skills and experience. It is access to this technology that often gives discrepancies in the forecasts, diagnosis and assessments of Russian and German doctors.
Oncology treatment in Germany involves the active use of the most modern radiology techniques. This approach, reinforced by visual methods of finding pathology, allows you to localize any degenerated cells, to identify the size, degree of damage to the body. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy are actively used.
What's next?
The next stage of treatment of oncology in Germany involves a series of studies to identify the specific features of a person who has applied for help. Histology, the study of immunity, as well as genetic studies provide a sufficient information base for determining the type of neoplasm. Usually they do trepan, as well as a classic biopsy, needle multifocal.
As the reviews of clinics in Germany, oncology treatment for which is the main profile of the provision of medical services, show demonstratively that, based on the results of the analyzes taken, the patient’s data are discussed in the framework of medical conferences where doctors of various disciplines take part. This approach is not typical for domestic medical institutions, but shows a very good result. Within the framework of doctors' consultations, not only those who specialize in cancer treatment, but also surgeons and histologists can express their opinion. In total, this will allow developing an optimal strategy for patient treatment.
Time is running out
Of course, oncology treatment in Germany promises to be good, the clinics of which are usually diagnosed only a couple of days after the patient’s treatment. This compares them favorably with domestic medical institutions, where some are lucky and you can get information from doctors relatively quickly. In other cases, the diagnosis is delayed for a long time, and the disease only progresses during this time.
Most of the clinics specializing in oncology treatment in Germany examine the biological materials received from the patient for about five days, so you can first send the tests and only then come yourself, if, of course, the current situation allows us to use this strategy. As soon as the tests were taken, for about two days, the doctors discuss the results in order to prevent mistakes in the diagnosis, after which they issue a verdict on a specific case.
How to treat?
Today, oncology treatment in Germany is available using the following methods:
- immunological;
- radiology;
- chemotherapy;
- surgery.
Monotonous but effective
Of course, the treatment process itself is completely subordinate to internationally valid standards, recommendations, and protocols. All these documents were developed for a reason, they are based on the experience of numerous clinics in different countries of the world. By combining statistics on the results of these organizations, it was possible to develop common standards used throughout the world.
The same standards are adopted in different countries, different clinics, and in all these institutions the level of quality of the medical services provided is quite close. When choosing a particular medical institution, this should be remembered. At the same time, there are multidisciplinary clinics at universities, each working according to its own specific method. If you are sure that you need to use one of these methods, it is better to apply for the service in a place that knows all the features of the method used.
What is it about?
Thoracic surgery is known to show very good results in lung cancer. It is with this form of neoplasms that it is most applicable. But if a tumor of the stomach is detected, then it is more reasonable to resort to abdominal surgery. When choosing an oncology treatment in Germany, it is necessary to clarify which methodology for the diagnosis will provide the best results, and choose a specific institution based on this.
When choosing a clinic, preference should be given to institutions with a chemotherapy department. It will not be superfluous to go to places where there are radiology services, which will allow you to resort to radiation therapy if there are indications for this. In some medical institutions, all these services are provided according to the rules of day hospitals, which is quite convenient for patients from abroad.
Is the game worth the candle?
The above are the various benefits that cancer treatment in Germany offers access to, but it’s no secret that the treatment of such a complex disease in another country costs a pretty penny. Is it worth paying such money and how much will you have to pay? It is almost never possible to predict the price in advance; too much depends on the characteristics of a particular case. In the vastness of the World Wide Web, you can find approximate boundaries of the cost of diagnosis. Much depends on which organ the neoplasm is suspected of.
If it is assumed that the cancer has affected the prostate, then in Germany it costs from a thousand euros to two and a half to diagnose the disease. Under the assumption of damage to the mammary glands, it is necessary to prepare to pay from one and a half to three thousand euros. The price for diagnosing cancer of the stomach is similar. If liver pathology is suspected, prices are slightly higher, from two thousand to five.
And for the treatment?
But how much malignant neoplasm therapy will cost in Germany, it is impossible to predict in advance. If breast surgery is necessary, then its price starts from six thousand euros. If, after the intervention, it was decided to put prostheses, the price tag immediately increases at least twice. Surgical intervention on the stomach with a malignant neoplasm while in the clinic during the treatment period will cost about twenty thousand.
A kidney operation that allows you to get rid of cancer, but to save the organ, is estimated at no less than 12 thousand euros. Approximately the same money will cost the removal of the cervix or ovaries affected by cancer. The indicated prices are initial prices, it is highly probable that in a particular case the treatment will cost even more. If you add the price of diagnosis here, then you need to get ready to pay at least twenty thousand, probably even more. Chemical therapy in European clinics costs up to 12 thousand euros, a specific price tag is determined by the number of courses required by the patient.
Clinics: Trusted Facilities
Well established themselves:
- University Hospital Freiburg;
- University Hospital TĂĽbingen;
- Frankfurt University Hospital.