Prostate cancer is the second most common malignant tumor in men after lung cancer. The disease has a favorable prognosis, as it can be cured if you receive medical care in a good European clinic. You can find comprehensive information about the best clinics for prostate cancer treatment, new prostate cancer treatments in Germany and current prices for medical services on the Booking Health website.
Surgical treatment
Radical prostatectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection is the main method of treating the disease in the first three stages. In most cases, surgery can cure the cancer.
Here are some options for the surgical removal of the prostate gland, depending on the surgical approach:
- Open prostatectomy (retroperitoneal, perineal) is a surgical procedure through a large incision in the abdomen or perineum. This is the main method in countries with poorly developed medicine.
- Laparoscopic prostatectomy is the removal of the prostate through short incisions in the abdomen. This is the standard treatment in developed countries.
- Robot-assisted prostatectomy is a surgical procedure performed by a robotic system. It is offered in specialized centers.
When undergoing treatment in Germany, you can undergo a more sparing operation: laparoscopic or robot-assisted one. Such surgical interventions allow achieving the same results as the open ones. At the same time, traumatization is significantly lower, the recovery period is shorter, and the risk of complications is reduced. Patients regain urinary control more quickly.
In German clinics, doctors use the nerve-sparing technique of prostatectomy. With this option, an erectile function is preserved.
Radiation therapy
Irradiation is considered an alternative to surgical treatment. It also helps cure prostate cancer. Two types of radiation therapy can be used:
- External beam radiation therapy – targeting beams at the tumor using a device (linear accelerator) located outside the patient’s body
- Brachytherapy – contact irradiation with radioactive seeds that are injected directly into the tumor through needles
The advantage of external beam radiation therapy is that the method is non-invasive and painless. It is possible to irradiate not only the primary tumor, but also the area of the lymphatic collector.
The advantage of brachytherapy is the low risk of post-radiation complications. Radiation is delivered directly to the tumor, so it does not pass through healthy tissues. In addition, the course of treatment is short: three procedures are enough, while external radiation therapy lasts one and a half months.
Systemic treatments
The following methods can be used for systemic therapy:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Radionuclide therapy
Hormone therapy involves taking medications that block male sex hormones. This type of treatment can be used in all stages.
Chemotherapy is administered only in the advanced stages. It is carried out if hormone therapy no longer works, or is prescribed immediately, in combination with hormonal agents.
Radionuclide therapy is carried out in specialized centers. Doctors use Lutetium-177 PSMA therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer with bone metastases. Radioactive substances are introduced into the body, accumulate in cancer cells and destroy them with radiation. In most patients, the tumor and metastases decrease in size, and in some of them all tumor foci disappear completely. Radionuclide therapy provides excellent treatment results even in the presence of multiple distant metastases.To undergo prostate cancer treatment in Germany, you are welcome to use the services of the Booking Health company. On our website you can find prices for diagnostics and treatment of the disease in different cancer clinics in Germany, compare the cost of medical services and book a program at a favorable price. Our experts will help you choose the most suitable clinic and doctor, as well as organize your trip.
