Lung Cancer Treatment in Germany

Germany is recognized for its advanced healthcare system, state-of-the-art medical technology, and world-class medical facilities, attracting patients from around the world seeking cutting-edge medical treatment. 

Lung Cancer is a commonly treated illness in Germany, and the country has made noteworthy progress in creating innovative and valuable treatments for it. Germany is a leading destination for Lung Cancer treatment due to its specialized clinics and highly regarded medical professionals. Patients can benefit from the latest treatment options and receive personalized care that can significantly impact their recovery journey.

Lung Cancer Treatment cost in Germany is between USD 18000 to USD 22000.

Today, Germany can offer new treatment methods, which allow for achieving excellent results even at stage 4 of the pathology. The patient's life quality can be improved, and their life expectancy can also be increased.

Understanding Lung Cancer

Lung cancer originates in the lungs and can potentially spread to other body parts, such as lymph nodes and the brain. Cancer may also spread from one organ to another (metastasis).

Lung Cancer, the most common group of malignant tumors in the world, develops from cells in the lungs and bronchi. It develops 10% more often in men than in women. In 2019, almost 23,546 women and 32,701 men were diagnosed with malignant lung tumors in Germany.

Lung Cancers are grouped into two types:

• Small cells Lung Cancer - Less common
• Non-small cells Lung Cancers (including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) - More common

What are the Risk Factors Associated with Lung Cancer?

• Smoking: Being the number one risk factor, cigarette smoking causes cancer of the mouth, throat, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, voicebox (larynx), bronchus, trachea, kidney and renal pelvis, urinary bladder, etc. People who do not smoke are 15-30 times less likely to get or die from Lung Cancer.
• Radon: Being the second leading cause, the risk from radon exposure is lower for people who don't smoke than those who do.
• Other substances: Other substances that increase the risk include asbestos, diesel exhaust, arsenic, and some forms of silica and chromium. For most of these substances, the risk of getting Lung Cancer is higher for people who smoke. 9 to 15 out of every 100 cases are attributed to carcinogenic substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, asbestos, and quartz and nickel dust.
• Personal/family history of Lung Cancer: If the person is already a Lung Cancer survivor or smokes, the risk of developing another Lung Cancer increases.
• Radiation therapy to the chest: Patients who have survived cancer and underwent chest radiation therapy are more likely to develop lung cancer. 

What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

The symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• A worsening cough that doesn't go away
• Feeling very tired all the time
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Weight loss with no known cause
• Coughing up blood

Other changes that can sometimes occur along with Lung Cancer may include the following:

• Swollen/enlarged lymph nodes inside the chest in the area between the lungs
• Repeated bouts of pneumonia

Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer can be treated depending on the type and its spread:

• Small cell Lung Cancer: Usually treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy
• Non-small cell Lung Cancer: It can be treated with individual treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or with a combination of these treatments

Surgery is performed to remove/cut out cancer tissue. Different surgeries include Pneumonectomy, Lobectomy, Segmentectomy or wedge resection, and Sleeve resection.

Chemotherapy uses certain medicines to shrink/kill cancer. The drugs can be taken orally, via IV injections, or sometimes both. The cost of chemotherapy in Germany depends on the severity of lung cancer and any other complication the patient is facing

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (like X-rays), killing cancer cells.

What are the Innovative Methods of Lung Cancer Treatment?

Together with the conventional treatment methods, new options for treatment for Lung Cancer in Germany are introduced, which help prolong the patients' lives. These include:

Dendritic Cell Vaccination

A Lung Cancer vaccine is a modern opportunity to achieve cancer remission at any stage and reduce the risk of disease recurrence. Clinics in Germany carry out dendritic cell vaccination in parallel with surgical treatment, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Dendritic Cell Vaccination is effective in all stages of Lung Cancer and for stage 4 cancers with multiple metastases and contraindications to radical surgery. 

The main advantages of the treatment of Lung Cancer with the help of dendritic cells are:

• Higher efficiency in comparison to radiation and chemotherapy
• Better tolerability
• Outpatient treatment

Recent clinical studies have shown a 25% increase in 5-year survival in patients with an entire course of dendritic cell treatment. The treatment provides excellent success rates, even if chemotherapy and other immunotherapy fail.

Targeted Therapy

In Targeted Therapy, specific drugs block the growth and spread of cancer cells. Target therapy is much more effective than chemotherapy and is better tolerated.

Why should you choose Germany for your Lung Cancer Treatment?

• Diagnosis and planning of the treatment with the obligatory participation of radiologists, surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, immunologists, and other specialists
• Modern treatment methods (including innovative, such as unique biological therapy)
• Qualified specialists with many years of experience
• Examination using high-precision equipment
• Full provision of medicines
• High level of service

The prices for lung cancer treatment in Germany fully correspond to the services' quality. Highly qualified doctors, modern equipment, and professional and comfortable services require adequate payment.

The cost depends mainly on the diagnosis, the prescribed therapy, and the need for additional examinations.

Cost related to Lung Cancer Treatment in Germany

Treatment	Cost range
Lung Cancer Treatment	USD 18000 to USD 22000
Chemotherapy	USD 1800 to USD 2200
Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment	USD 19800 to USD 24200
Adenocarcinoma - Glandular Cancer Treatment	USD 18000 to USD 22000

Top Doctors in Germany Providing Lung Cancer Treatment

• Dr. Med. Marek Budner: He is a Surgical Oncologist with over 31 years of experience. His forte is diagnosing and treating breast diseases, surgical treatment of mammary carcinomas, oncoplastic breast surgeries, plastic and reconstructive breast surgery, and colposcopic diagnostics in the lower genital tract.
• Prof. Dr. Med. Karl-Jurgen Oldhafer: He is a Surgical Oncologist with over 33 years of experience. His clinical interest includes treating biliary diseases, gallbladder tumors, liver diseases, and cirrhosis.
• Prof. Dr. Med. Michael Bartels: He is a Surgical Oncologist with over 34 years of experience. His clinical interest includes hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and colorectal and cancer surgery.
• Prof. Dr. Med. Martin Strik: He is a Surgical Oncologist with over 23 years of experience. His clinical interest lies in Surgical Oncology, Minimal Invasive Surgery, Oncologic Surgery of Upper and Lower GI, Pancreatic and Hepatic Surgery, Esophagus and Stomach Surgery, Colorectal Surgery (malignant and benign), Abdominal Soft Tissue Tumors (Sarcomas), Coloproctology, Endocrine Surgery, Thyroid Surgery, and Incisional Hernia surgery.
• Dr. Bernd Hertenstein: He is a well-known Clinical Oncologist with over 32 years of experience providing chemotherapy and radiotherapy to cancer patients. His areas of expertise include performing Tumour Marker Blood Tests, Chemotherapy, Bone Marrow Transplant, Autologous bone marrow transplantation, Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from a related donor, Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an unrelated donor, Radiofrequency ablation of the liver, Chemotherapy for Liver Cancer, chemoembolization of the liver, chemotherapy for breast cancer, leukemia chemotherapy, and stem cell transplantation.

Conclusion

The advanced healthcare system, innovative treatments, and world-class medical facilities make Germany a worthwhile investment for patients seeking the best care. The cost of Lung Cancer treatment in Germany must be weighed against the potential benefits of receiving cutting-edge care in one of the world's leading healthcare systems.