How to Go for Cancer Treatment in Germany in 2022?
Due to the German Cancer Society, over 300 types of cancer are cured in 130 specialized hospitals. Thirteen of them are called Oncology Centers of Excellence, with outstanding and innovative care, and excellent level of clinical research.
Oncology clinics here — are more than twice per 1000 citizens, for example, compared to the USA. That is why many patients consider Germany as the “Hospital of Europe” and all who need a “five-star” solution find a proper one.
I require cancer treatment. Why should I choose Germany?
The priority destination in medicine at the country level — the government, which sponsors the prevention and cure of cancer, invests in industrial development and science. More than 5000 trials were performed here.
The recovery rate is high — researchers claim that in Germany the percentage of those who completely recovered from all types of cancer is: men at 61% and women at 66%.
The level meets all standards of quality — every clinic (or department) must be certified by multiple criteria, including clinical methods, equipment, patient care, and service. By these standards, at least 30 oncological centers were chosen for World’s Best Specialized Hospitals-2022 rank.
The oncologists are ranked among the best — most of the doctors do scientific research and are high-ranked by experience, continuing education, professional society participation, and positive feedback from patients.
The equipment is from industrial giants — Siemens, Bosh, Syntegon, Roche, and other leaders. They invest a lot in scientific research, diagnostic, and cure development.
The cost of medical treatment in Germany is higher than the national average but much reduced than in England or Switzerland. Furthermore, they are aligned with state-level medical service pricing. Likewise, in most situations, treatment begins after the final prices are revealed, and the patient makes a 100% prepayment.
Key indicators of the efficiency of oncology here are extremely high. They include:
- The precision of the diagnostic;
- Five years of survival and life’s duration after the diagnosis of the oncology disease;
- Length of remission in those who have had a chemotherapy course.
Last year, more than 275 000 patients ensured that German clinics are proper to treat cancer and use all benefits of medical tourism in Germany.
What about the cost?
One of the most popular myths is that prices here are too high. Medical services in Germany are much more affordable, for example, in the United States.
For patients in these clinics, various benefits are available, including accurate diagnostics, modern, effective cancer treatment methods, experienced oncologists, robotic surgery, high-effective original medication, etc.
Asking how much is a cancer treatment in Germany costs, it is essential to note that German Diagnosis Related Groups regulate the prices. So, payment is the same for foreigners and citizens of the country, and you do not need to worry about markups. The clinic generates an invoice based on the registry data and your medical care. You pay it as a deposit and receive an official invitation. If the actual amount is less than the deposit, the clinic will refund the difference to your account.
Concerning the question of whether you can get cancer treatment if you have no money, there are two options here:
- Charity organizations, funds, etc. Many national organizations, like CancerCare, can offer limited financial help for cancer treatment-related costs. We suggest you contact these groups directly to find out if you can get financial assistance from them.
- Clinical trials. The costs of research are the ones that come with taking part in the trial. Most of the time, health insurance doesn't cover these costs. Here are some examples: Drugs, lab tests for the study, X-rays, and imaging tests.
Why do we recommend additional diagnostics?
Here are only a few facts about Germany’s healthcare system level. They spent 11.7% of their GDP on healthcare. In 2019, it was more than any other EU country. In 2020, the health spending was $6731 per person – also the higher rank in the EU.
So, the diagnostic search here:
- Meets the best practices,
- Comfortable and quick,
- Quits the most questions about the medical strategy.
Our clients often ask for a “second opinion” — to verify the accuracy of the diagnosis, and prevent mistakes in treatment tactics. It is simple and easy to contact us and ask for the service — at first, send us your medical record. It is possible that you do not have to make an additional exam and expenses.
How will they cure in the early stages?
German oncology provides such surgical methods that allow making a radical operation with minimal impact on healthy tissues. There are various endoscopic techniques like laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. Through a small cut, a surgeon can insert the tube with optical fiber to see any detail inside the body. Also, can be used microsurgical instruments to remove biopsies or/and the entire tumor.
Robotic surgery like the Da Vinci system is widely used to remove neoplasms, reduce pain, prevent bleeding and infection, and provide faster recovery. Robotic techniques like Cyberknife and HIFU destruction help remove the neoplasm precisely, without additional damage.
Conservative (non-surgical) methods help to eradicate the neoplasm without harming healthy cells. For example, proton beam therapy is used to inhibit the malignancy process in the focus area, which makes it possible to destroy it purposefully.
What about the later stages?
When the disease is spreading, oncologists usually combine surgery with various conservative methods — chemotherapy, radiation, immune, hormone, and targeted therapy.
The course that is prescribed before surgical intervention reduces:
- tumor size;
- surgical operation’s volume;
- metastasis’ appearance risks.
After-operation courses decrease the danger of recurrent cancer and help if an oncologist suspects that cells spread to other parts of the body.
Also, German oncologists widely use intra-arterial injections. Because of this, the drug comes directly into the blood vessel in the tumor and kills its cells.
Monoclonal antibodies are also effective in the III-IV stages. They were made in the lab and work like natural – to stop malignant cells from spreading around the body.
Chemotherapy acts like a “carpet bombardment”, during which both “enemies”, and “friends” can be killed. Targeted therapy works like a “sniper shot” — more precisely, effective and safe. However, targeted drugs are highly specific; they only eliminate cancer cells that have the appropriate target molecules. Therefore, when prescribing any remedies, the doctor considers all features of the tumor.
In any case, German doctors choose the best strategy.
What should I do first?
We built services for international clients including support before, during, and, after their stay in Germany for cancer treatment. We meet all patients’ needs – personal, religious, and cultural.
Contact one of our doctors and tell us about your case. We will make some research and select the most suitable option. After that, we will organize all the parts of your medical journey, for your comfort and the best results.
University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
Worked since 1834. One of 13 oncology centers of Excellence in Germany that means the highest level of aid. The specialists from different medical destinations work together in 23 interdisciplinary centers with 33 departments, which cure about 250 000 annually. Here is make a therapeutic strategy for each client's needs. They provided all kinds of diagnostics and surgical. As well as conservative help in multiple localization of tumors, including the brain, gastrointestinal, genital, urinary, muscle, bone, endocrine, blood, and lymphatic.
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main
One of the most reputable clinics in Germany since 1914. Nowadays — with 32 departments and 20 research institutes. Follows the world’s best practices standards because of competence, safety, and services. Has a certificate from DKG and ISO 9001:2008. Specialized in neurooncology (University Center for Tumor Diseases) microsurgery, robotic technologies, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology. Each year treats here more than 3000 international citizens, among more than 100 000 patients.
Helios Berlin-Buch Center
Has more than 100 years of history of success. Is widely known as the oncology hub. Has several unique departments the only in Europe, such as for bone sarcoma in adults and children. Also carried on the holistic approach, so here is one of the biggest interdisciplinary breast and intestine, urology, and prostate cancer departments in the country, among 27 ones, certified by DKG. Robot-assistant, microsurgery, radiosurgery, and other advanced technologies are routinely used, as well as cell therapy, target, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. More than 200 000 visit here every year.
Seems as if it’s time to know more
Heidelberg University Hospital
Reputable and modern at the same time, it offers all possible options to treat common and rare cancer for 27 000 foreigners who receive first-class aid annually. Experience and state-of-art equipment help for saving lives. All known surgical methods, chemotherapy, including adjuvant and target ones, proton and carbon-ion therapy, stem cells, pain cure, psycooncology allow achieving the goals in the cases of new and returning cancer diseases.
University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians Munich
Despite only 31-year of “age”, LMU becomes one of the biggest multi-disciplinary centers in the European Union. Amount compared with the mid-sized city with 500 000 citizens, treated here per year. There are 47 clinics, institutes, and departments, which cover all destinations of oncology, medical science, and practice. All medicine specialities are presented here to help everyone who looks for cutting-edge medicine.
Where to get cancer treatment? Germany and beyond
References:
- Healthsystemtrackers
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- The Cancer Atlas: The burden of cancer
