Stomach cancer is the 4th cause of cancer-related death worldwide. About 1.1 million people hear this diagnosis every year. Its symptoms are often mistaken for gastritis or peptic ulcer, but early detection can result in a full recovery. Germany offers advanced treatment techniques for stomach cancer, which have shown high success rates. Next, we will discuss the methods and prices for treating stomach cancer in Germany.
Different Types of Stomach Cancer Treatment in Germany
German oncologists use modern methods to treat stomach cancer based on stage, location, cancer type, and patient condition. Early-stage patients can achieve full recovery.
The most effective methods for stomach cancer are:
- Surgery. Method number one is the treatment of stomach cancer. Depending on its size, the volume of surgical intervention may be different. Laparoscopic methods are used at an early stage, while radical gastrectomy is used at later stages.
- Chemotherapy. It is used before surgery and after surgery. The FLOT chemotherapy regimen, consisting of fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel, significantly increases the chances of curing local tumors in stomach cancer patients.
- Radiotherapy. Specialists choose the most appropriate radiation therapy method and dose for each patient. Radiation therapy is used for stomach cancer when surgery isn’t possible, or chemotherapy fails.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery. Gamma and Cyber knives can effectively treat primary tumors and metastases. The radiologist determines the number of sessions and dosage, with significant tumor reduction possible in just a few sessions.
- Proton therapy. Protons with a specific radiation dose are delivered directly to the cancer.
- Transarterial chemoperfusion (TACP). Applying the anti-cancer drug directly to the tumor through a catheter in the artery feeds the tumor.
- Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Blocking the blood vessel, which provides the malignant cells, and injecting a drug that kills them.
- HIPEC. Hyperthermic intra-abdominal chemotherapy, also known as “hot chemotherapy,” may be prescribed to treat multiple metastases in the peritoneum, serous oblasts, and parenchyma of internal organs.
Timely treatment in Germany provides a high chance of a full recovery. Unique clinical studies combine FLOT chemotherapy with HIPEC for increased effectiveness and expanded treatment options. Innovations have revolutionized surgical intervention methods. An experimental NOTES technique in Germany allows laparoscopy without incisions, accessing the tumor through the navel.
Costs of Stomach Cancer Treatment by Stage in Germany
Although medicine in Germany is relatively expensive, the state controls the cost through a unified DRG pricing system that standardizes over 1,500 treatment cases, considers the patient’s complete diagnosis, and avoids assigning unnecessary procedures. At the same time, the doctors do not affect pricing in any way.
The cost of stomach cancer treatment in Germany is determined based on individual patient needs, including research in the diagnostic package, chosen therapy method, length of hospital stay, and other factors. Stomach cancer is classified into four stages based on its spread:
- During the initial stage, the tumor is contained within the mucous membrane and has not metastasized. The main treatment methods include surgery and chemotherapy.
- The tumor grows into the muscle layer and metastasizes to 7-15 regional lymph nodes. The patient is prescribed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
- The tumor infiltrates all layers of the stomach, spreads to adjacent organs, and metastasizes to regional and distant lymph nodes. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and radiochemotherapy.
- Metastatic stage. Doctors can combine targeted and immunotherapy with chemo and radiotherapy to treat tumors of any size that have metastasized to organs and bones.
Diagnostics can cost 2,500 to 4,500 euros, chemotherapy averages 3,500 euros, and radiation therapy costs 5,000 euros. Gastric resection can cost upwards of 14,000 euros.
In some hospitals, operations costs include additional services such as preoperative preparation, anesthesiological support, fees for operating doctors, etc.
Patients are usually required to deposit to the clinic account, which varies depending on the features of the upcoming treatment. For expensive operations requiring top-level specialists and technically sophisticated equipment, patients must prepay. Diagnostic and outpatient procedures can be paid for after completion.
To get an estimated treatment cost in Germany, provide us with a description of your symptoms and examination results. Our AiroMedical specialists will use this information to create a preliminary medical plan and give you an estimate for treatment.
Health Care Quality and Patient Outcomes
Treatment for stomach cancer in Germany follows international standards and guidelines, from first consultation until discharge after the therapy. The state controls all stages of cancer programs to ensure timely and correct individual therapy.
Germany is in the center of Europe and is a member of the EU, making travel easy for many. Citizens of most countries don’t require a visa, and transportation options are plentiful. The prices for cancer treatment in Germany (even with the most complex and expensive therapy) are much lower than those of other world clinics.
Specialized cancer centers provide top-notch diagnostic equipment, eliminating the need to visit multiple hospitals for various tests and procedures. If you have doubts about your oncologist’s diagnosis, seeking medical care in Germany is recommended. In addition to the main treatments, patients receive symptomatic therapy to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The well-established care and personalized medication ensure a speedy recovery.
Impact of German Health Care System on Stomach Cancer Therapy
The healthcare system in Germany is highly organized, with actively invested medical personnel training. Most specialists remain on-site after their internship, gaining access to advanced industry achievements.
Each medical center and university clinic in Germany has its own diagnostic base and laboratory building. All necessary studies and diagnoses are performed on-site promptly. Various cutting-edge treatments such as photodynamic therapy, gene therapy, ultrasound, laser, and biotherapy are used. Additionally, radiation and nuclear medicine are available, as well as stereotactic radiosurgery.
The German Ministry of Health and major companies like SIEMENS, BOSH, Bayer, Ratiopharm, Novartis, and others actively invest in research problems. Only SIEMENS invests over €25 million annually in developing therapeutic and diagnostic equipment, including MRI and radiation/ultrasound therapy devices that minimize harm to healthy tissue and shorten recovery time.
Thanks to sufficient funding, German doctors constantly improve their qualifications by conducting scientific projects focused on cancer therapy and developing new medicines for various oncologies. Some modern German oncologists are even Nobel Prize winners in medicine.
Best hospitals to treat Stomach cancer in Germany
In Germany, various hospitals offer high-quality diagnosis and treatment for stomach cancer. The choice depends on factors such as cancer stage, the patient’s age, and other criteria. Below are some examples of the top clinics that specialize in treating stomach cancer:
- University Hospital Ludwig-Maximilians Munich
- University Hospital Charite Berlin
- LDG Laboratory Dr. Gansauge Ulm
- University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
- University Hospital Frankfurt am Main of Goethe-University
German hospitals are renowned for their excellent rehabilitation system after gastric surgery, which includes diet therapy, specialized training, medication, and immune system activation, allowing patients to quickly return to a normal lifestyle. Save precious time, leave a request on the AiroMedical platform, and entrust your health to German specialists.
References
- Wen-Long Guan, Ye He, Rui-Hua Xu. Gastric cancer treatment: recent progress and future perspectives. BMC. Published May 27, 2023. https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13045-023-01451-3
- Volvak N. Stomach (Gastric) Cancer Guide. AiroMedical. Updated January 14, 2023. https://airomedical.com/blogs/disease-guides/stomach-gastric-cancer-guide
Volvak N. Treatment in Germany (advantages and benefits). Updated December 05, 2022. https://airomedical.com/blogs/articles/treatment-in-germany-advantages-and-benefits
