Breast Cancer Treatment in Germany

Breast cancer is the most common oncopathology diagnosed in women. Uncontrolled division of malignant cells of the mammary gland leads to the formation of a tumor that can spread in the form of metastases to neighboring organs. Effective treatment of breast cancer in Germany is based on the application of an adequate systemic approach, the latest diagnostic methods and improved medications.

Symptoms and Stages of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer can develop under the influence of several provoking factors:

• excess weight;
• chronic stress conditions;
• alcohol abuse;
• abortions and absence of full-term pregnancies in history;
• hormonal disorders – estrogen and progesterone deficiency;
• age over 40 years;
• taking oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy;
• inherited gene mutation.

Breast cancer is a systemic disease that manifests itself not only with specific, but also with general symptoms – weakness, weight loss, increased fatigue. Alarming signs include:

• any tumor-like neoplasms in the mammary gland, resembling a lump, ball, thickening or nodule;
• deformation of the breast contour – the appearance of depressions, dimples or protrusions;
• nipple retraction, which is not an individual feature and was not previously observed;
• edematous skin in the area of the entire gland or locally;
• bloody discharge from the nipple;
• chronic soreness in the breast area, which increases with palpation;
• skin peeling in the area of the mammary gland, appearance of weeping wounds, crusts or ulcerations;
• enlargement of lymph nodes located in the armpits or in the collarbone area.

As the disease progresses, signs of intoxication appear, when the body is poisoned by the waste products of mutated cells. In the absence of treatment, the shape of the breast changes significantly, metastases affect other parts of the body, pain occurs when moving the arm on the side where the cancer develops.

To understand how advanced the oncology is and what medical tactics to apply in each clinical case, the oncologist needs to determine the stage of development of the disease:

• Zero (0) – the pathological process develops only in the ducts of the mammary gland and does not affect neighboring tissues.
• First (IA and IB) – the neoplasm has reached a size of no more than 2 mm and has spread to the lymph nodes.
• Second (IIA and IIB) – a tumor 20 to 50 mm in size, which affects 1-3 axillary lymph nodes.
• Third (IIIA, IIIB, IIIC) – the neoplasm has reached a size of 50 mm or more, has affected the axillary or internal mammary lymph nodes, but has not spread to other parts of the body.
• Fourth (IV) – stage with metastases to other organs (lungs, brain, liver, bones, chest wall).

Diagnostic Methods

Self-examination of the mammary glands is not enough to make a diagnosis – palpation will only help to notice some external changes and suspect the disease. German clinics have implemented the recommendations of the European Society of Mastology, which involve a comprehensive examination of a woman according to established standards. Diagnostic methods include:

• Digital mammography – a radiological examination aimed at detecting small pathological foci of several millimeters in size.
• Ultrasound examination – allows to detect neoplasms and study pathological areas in more detail that were discovered during mammography.
• Ultrasound with Doppler – helps to assess the condition and structure of soft tissues, as well as to study local blood flow thanks to the color image of the vessels.
• Scintigraphy – the method is based on intravenous administration of a radionuclide, which selectively accumulates in the zone of oncopathologies and areas affected by metastases.
• Computed tomography – is indicated to confirm the diagnosis of "breast cancer", determine the area of involvement and the condition of lymph nodes. CT can be performed with contrast and accompany the collection of biomaterial for biopsy.
• Magnetic resonance imaging – layer-by-layer digital scanning allows to distinguish healthy tissues from affected ones, to obtain complete information about the structure of the gland. The minimum scanning step does not allow doctors to miss even the smallest neoplasms that are not visible on CT or ultrasound.
• Biopsy – puncture with collection of tissue samples from the mammary gland or lymph nodes helps to understand the nature of the tumor (malignant or benign), as well as to determine its maturity.
• Laboratory diagnostics – the study of the concentration of tumor markers is used for prognosis, detection of recurrence, metastases and control of disease therapy.

Breast Cancer Treatment

Thanks to the latest imaging diagnostic methods used in Germany, oncologists are able to fully characterize the tumor process, make a decision on treatment tactics and make a preliminary prognosis.

As a rule, comprehensive therapy is indicated for breast cancer, the features of which will depend on:

• the size of the neoplasm;
• the stage of tumor development;
• the presence of a hormonal receptor in the pathological focus;
• hormonal status;
• the patient's menstrual cycle;
• the presence of metastases.

Surgical Intervention

The tumor removal operation is considered the most effective method of treating breast cancer. With a small area of involvement, a lumpectomy is indicated – an organ-preserving operation in which the shape of the gland changes slightly. During the operation, the other breast is also corrected – its size is reduced so that the body contours look natural.

Doctors of German clinics in most cases prefer lumpectomy. And only with extensive tissue involvement do they perform mastectomy – complete removal of the mammary gland, covering muscle tissues and lymph nodes. According to indications, mastectomy is combined with aesthetic reconstruction of the mammary gland using implants or own tissue.

Radiation Therapy

Oncologists of German medical centers successfully practice the latest radiological treatment methods:

• 3D-CRT – effect on the tumor with beams from different angles to completely stop the growth of abnormal cells;
• IORT – irradiation by the moving arc method, which allows to preserve the health of the heart muscle;
• IMRT – radiation therapy with the ability to change the irradiation intensity.

All methods are considered gentle, but at the same time are characterized by high efficiency. High-precision radiation therapy affects only malignant cells, without affecting healthy ones.

As an alternative to external irradiation, the patient may be offered brachytherapy, when the radiation source is brought directly to the neoplasm through catheters.

Chemotherapy

Drug treatment of breast cancer in Germany is carried out with cytostatic drugs. The advantage is with the latest generation medications, which give a minimum of side effects. For one course, several drugs are prescribed that can destroy single mutated cells that cannot be detected and removed during surgery. Chemotherapy can be carried out both before and after surgery, at different stages of cancer, as well as in the presence of metastases.

Innovative Methods

In Germany, effective innovative methods are widely implemented, which are not yet available to patients from other countries. These methods include:

• Immunotherapy – the use of monoclonal antibodies allows to slow down tumor development and prolong the patient's life.
• Deep hyperthermia in combination with chemotherapy – special nanoparticles contribute to the delivery of the cytostatic exactly to the tumor localization zone. At the same time, the area is heated, which increases the effectiveness of treatment by 40%.
• DOTATATE therapy – targeted application of radioactive isotopes that irradiate only mutated cells and do not damage neighboring tissues.

Treatment Costs in Germany

You can familiarize yourself with the approximate price list for the services of German doctors on this page. These are indicative prices that are adjusted depending on:

• the chosen clinic;
• the stage and severity of oncopathology;
• the presence of concomitant diseases;
• the length of stay in the hospital;
• the chosen therapeutic protocol.

The final cost will be calculated individually and announced before the visit to the oncology center. To get accurate calculations, contact our consultants or leave a request for feedback.

Clinic Selection

The Doctor Munhen company has been helping cancer patients to successfully receive treatment in the best oncology centers in Germany since 2010. You will not have to painfully search for a good clinic – we will do it for you and offer several options to choose from with different price tags.

Our specialists organize:

• remote assessment of oncology therapy by leading specialists;
• review of diagnostic blocks with obtaining a written report;
• oncologists' consultation with preparation of written recommendations;
• visa processing and solution of other organizational issues.

High standards of German medicine, vast medical experience and innovative technologies are the key to a successful fight against women's oncology in Germany.