Pancreatic Cancer Treatment in Germany
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer is called one of the most insidious and severe oncological diseases. According to GLOBOCAN, more than 460.000 new cases were registered in 2021. And by 2030, it will become the principal cause of death from cancer. World-famous people like Steve Jobs, Patrick Swayze, Joan Crawford, Luciano Pavarotti, and many others have suffered from this terrible disease.
For a long time, it goes on without signs or symptoms. As a rule, the disease is detected at a late stage, when surgical treatment becomes ineffective. In terms of mortality, the disease is in seventh place.
Great strides have been made in cancer research over the past decade. Increased funding and clinical trials have helped some countries to achieve significant success. For example, the five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer worldwide is 3-6%. However, in Germany, it reached 10%. Learn more about the benefits of treatment in this country.
What is the danger?
The pancreas is one of the main digestive glands. It produces digestive juices that break down food, hormones insulin, and glucagon, which are necessary to regulate blood sugar levels. Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor found anywhere in the pancreas.
The cause of the tumor is a mutation. Cells become capable only of active uncontrolled division. As a result, the neoplasm rapidly increases and grows into neighboring organs. Pancreatic cancer is in tenth place among all types of cancer.
The first symptoms are very unclear and often look like a general malaise - abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Therefore, the sickness is almost always (80% of cases) diagnosed at advanced stages, when therapy is complicated, and life expectancy is 6-8 months.
Treatment of pancreatic cancer in German clinics
Patients are curious why treatment in Germany may be better. The German medical system has many advantages, including unique cancer variants. For example, treating pancreatic cancer is done by one or combining the following methods. Here we not only mention the name of the treatment but also analyze the success of treatment for each method.
- Chemotherapy and targeted therapy. It is mainly used for treatment after removing or reducing the tumor before surgery. In addition, chemotherapy is used in the advanced stages to relieve symptoms. But only for 20% of patients, this treatment is effective.
- Transarterial chemoembolization for blocking blood vessels that feed the pancreatic tumor and its metastases. Therapy results showed that four weeks after the curse ended, 78.26% of patients showed stabilization of the illness.
- Radioembolization is the destruction of malignant cells with radioactive microspheres delivered directly to the tumor. This method shows stabilization of the disease by 37% and an improvement of 42%.
- CyberKnife - targeted radiation therapy using a robotic arm is a safe, effective, and alternative procedure for inoperable cases.
- Proton therapy is a method that does not require surgical removal. The exact direction of the proton beam destroys only cancer cells without harm to healthy ones. In Germany, species combine high efficiency and gentle effects on the body. Modern equipment allows for minimizing the risks of side effects.
- The Nanoknife method makes it possible to treat patients with inoperable tumors. Electrical impulses destroy the malignant neoplasm without damaging healthy tissues around it.
The combination of methods gives promising results. For example, the combination of immunotherapy with two chemotherapy drugs for late-stage patients had an annual survival rate of 57.7%. In contrast, the rate of chemotherapy alone was only 35%.
Innovative pancreatic surgery in Germany hospitals
Different techniques are used depending on the stage, type, location of the tumor, and the presence of metastases.
- The Whipple operation is the gold standard for pancreatic cancer surgery. During the operation, the surgeon removes the head of the pancreas, duodenum, part of the stomach, gallbladder, and surrounding lymph nodes. Then the work of the gastrointestinal tract is restored as much as possible.
- DaVinci's operation is a minimally invasive robotic surgery. The doctor controls the robot remotely using a 3D visualization system. All manipulations to remove the tumor are carried out only through five small punctures. Robotic arms can reach hard-to-reach places.
The miracle of modern technology promises patients a faster recovery and fewer scars than with traditional operations.
Pancreatic cancer is detected only in 15-17% of cases. These persons detect the tumor when it is still in the gland, does not affect the prominent veins and arteries, and does not metastasize. It is essential to understand that surgical treatment alone is effective for only 25%. The risk of recurrence is high after surgery alone, so chemo and radiotherapy are usually added.
Combination treatment increases the percentage of five-year survival at stages I-II to 61% and 52%, respectively.
TOP physicians for pancreatic surgery in Germany
Prevention of pancreatic cancer in Germany
Early diagnosis of the pancreas is essential for a successful cure. Suppose a person is at risk (smoking, alcohol, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, heredity, etc.). In that case, he must be regularly screened to detect and treat cancer that does not show symptoms.
Pancreatic cancer screening in Germany is a patient's examination for the presence of a tumor, as well as additional consultations and recommendations from highly qualified doctors.
Experienced specialists use the best health check-up programs that allow the detection of cancer at an early stage.
Advantages of regular screening: 100% reliability, efficiency, individual approach to each client, comprehensive strategic treatment plan, and reasonable prices.
Leading German clinics for pancreatic cancer treatment
Pancreatic cancer treatment in Germany is carried out by a team of oncologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, and nutritionists. That approach provides the best result. Unfortunately, as a rule, such oncological consultations are not available in all clinics.
The choice of the AiroMedical team is an opportunity to find the best German clinic, a leader in diagnosing and treating pancreatic cancer in Germany and around the world.
Rechts der Isar Munich University Hospital
It is one of the best in radiation oncology. Technical equipment with the latest technologies allows doctors to work on tumors with an accuracy of up to a millimeter. As a result, the center receives thousands of patients annually, providing them with comfortable conditions of stay and effective treatment.
- it has certificates from the German Cancer Society and the German non-profit organization for the fight against cancer;
- more than 16 000 cancer patients are treated annually here;
- each specific case is an individual treatment regimen;
- the latest generation of equipment (latest models of linear accelerators and brachytherapy machines, and intensive modulated radiation therapy);
- use of minimally invasive operations;
- effective drugs with fewer side effects;
- advanced methods, such as nanofilament targeting and immunotherapy;
- an interdisciplinary approach ensures the highest treatment results.
University Hospital Frankfurt am Main of Goethe-University
It is a leader in the field of cancer treatment in Germany and abroad.
- comprehensive diagnosis and effective treatment and monitoring of cancer patients;
- unique methods of therapy that have no analogs in the world;
- the possibility of undergoing therapy as part of clinical trials of new drugs and methods;
- the availability of high-quality palliative care;
- certificates according to German cancer care standards;
- medical equipment: advanced ultrasound technology, whole body MRI without radiation, the most advanced high-tech computed tomography);
- the center's doctors are specialists in classical and innovative cancer treatment methods.
University Hospital Ludwig-Maximilians Munich Munich
All the focus is not on the patient's illness but on his personality. Humanity and empathy are the main principles of the clinic, which is known far beyond the borders of Germany.
- annually visit about half a million patients for treatment;
- therapeutic program for each oncology separately, taking into account all the features of the disease and the characteristics of the patient;
- the possibility of individual preparation of medicines in a pharmacy clinic based on the results of diagnostic studies;
- the cancer center is certified by the German Cancer Society;
- the use of all effective surgical methods available in modern medicine;
- using modern equipment: DaVinci PET robotic scanning system for diagnostics;
- conducting operations using a monitoring system to monitor the situation and respond immediately.
Where to go for pancreatic cancer treatment in Germany?
Where better to treat pancreatic cancer abroad?
The exemplary success of foreign countries in oncology treatment is associated with several advantages, among which:
- latest equipment;
- experienced specialists;
- effective medicines.
That is why many patients prefer to trust their lives to specialists from foreign clinics. Consider the rating of countries leading today in pancreatic cancer treatment among medical tourists (by the number of patients attending them):
- Germany is a world leader, demonstrating the highest rate of cure for various types of oncology and offering the most advantageous prices for medical services compared to other countries. Approximately 52.000 patients of various severities come for treatment each year;
- Israel - about 20.000;
- Switzerland - 10.000;
- United States and Austria - about 5.000 patients.
Also, an important indicator that indicates the right decision in favor of treatment abroad is the data on the life expectancy of cancer patients after the treatment. Germany consistently shows the highest survival rates after pancreatic cancer treatment. More than 80% of all world research is conducted in this country. In German centers, program therapy is formed individually and conducted comprehensively - taking into account traditional, alternative, and experimental treatments.
What countries to consider for cancer in the pancreas?
How can we help?
Despite the generally poor prognosis and the fact that this disease is primarily incurable, pancreatic cancer is potentially curable if detected very early. Contact an AiroMedical specialist about the choice of treatment, what to expect after treatment and what to do to get the best prognosis.
Do you want to get answers to your questions about pancreatic cancer treatment programs in the best German clinics? Contact our consultants today! Our experience and professional knowledge allow us to orient you with a high degree of accuracy regarding the cost of the upcoming oncology treatment. Furthermore, you will receive an official estimate from the medical center.
By choosing our company, you will find loyal assistants and true professionals. So contact us now and start the road to recovery!
References:
- Penn Medicine: Promising Results for Chemo Immunotherapy Combination Against Pancreatic Cancer
- Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology: Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 Microspheres for the Treatment of Liver Metastases of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Multicenter Analysis
- American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO): Pancreatic Cancer: Types of Treatment
- Robert Koch Institute: Pancreatic cancer
- National Cancer Institute: Cancer Stat Facts: Pancreatic Cancer
- ECPC: 15 Key Facts on Pancreatic Cancer
- National Library of Medicine: Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer: Global Trends, Etiology and Risk Factors
