Liver Cancer Treatment in Germany

Liver cancer is a malignant disease of liver cells (hepatocytes). Often the cause is liver cirrhosis, as well as obesity, but liver cancer also occurs in connection with viral infections (hepatitis B and C). This type of cancer is most often detected in late stages.

Primary liver cancer, or hepatocellular carcinoma, is diagnosed in only 5% of cases of neoplasms of this localization. Most often, malignant tumors of the hepatobiliary system have a metastatic nature and develop from mutated cells that are brought here by the flow of lymph or blood. Modern tactics of treating tumor diseases of the liver in Germany allow achieving long-term remission and complete cure of non-invasive cancer.

Signs of Liver Oncopathology

In the initial stages, the malignant process proceeds asymptomatically. Signs of liver damage appear only when the neoplasm reaches a significant size and interferes with the normal functioning of internal organs. What symptoms accompany this type of oncology:

• General deterioration of health – weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness.
• Digestive disorders – stool disorders, increased gas formation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
• Increase in abdominal volume – associated with fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity and tumor growth.
• Symptoms of mechanical jaundice – the whites of the eyes and skin turn yellow, and the urine darkens.
• Discomfort and pain in the right hypochondrium or under the right shoulder blade.
• Increased body temperature.
• Vascular disorders – telangiectasias (spider veins), nasal and internal bleeding.

Some types of tumors cause hormonal changes, which in men manifest as erectile dysfunction, and in women as menstrual cycle disorders.

Liver Cancer Diagnostic Methods

Since the symptoms of liver cancer are nonspecific and can occur against the background of other diseases, comprehensive diagnostics with high-precision medical equipment is necessary:

• Abdominal ultrasound – provides general information about the state of the hepatobiliary system.
• Computed tomography – provides a more detailed picture, allows layer-by-layer study of tissues and detection of even minor changes in their structure.
• Magnetic resonance imaging – a high-precision method that helps to identify pathological processes at an early stage and conduct differential diagnosis of the liver.
• Laboratory tests – analysis of general clinical indicators and tumor markers is performed. Specific proteins (AFP, CEA, CA 19-9) indicate risks of developing liver oncology, the presence of metastases, help to assess the effectiveness of therapy and detect recurrences.
• Biopsy – collection of a liver tissue sample for histological study under a microscope. Fusion biopsy – a modern variety of the technique, when the material is collected under ultrasound control for more accurate hitting the focus of the neoplasm.

After completion of the examination, the doctor draws up a conclusion, and if oncology is confirmed, a protocol is developed according to which the patient will be treated.

Treatment Methods

Therapy depends on the stage of the tumor, liver function and the patient's condition. The patient's age and general health are also taken into account.

Therapeutic measures:

• Surgical removal of the tumor (tumor resection, partial liver resection)
• Liver transplant

As an alternative to surgical intervention, as well as an interim measure before liver transplantation, procedures for local destruction of the tumor (local ablation) are used:

• Radiofrequency ablation
• Microwave ablation
• Ablation with focused high-intensity ultrasound

If liver cancer cannot be surgically removed or completely destroyed by local ablation, the following is applied

• transarterial (chemo- or radio-) embolization
• drug chemotherapy (sorafenib and regorafenib)
• radiation methods
• proton therapy
• targeted therapy with Nexavar
• ethanol therapy of tumor nodes

Treatment of liver cancer in Germany is recommended to begin immediately after confirming the malignant nature of the tumor. Oncologists have at their disposal modern equipment, effective drugs and innovative techniques that give good results even in advanced cases.

• Surgical intervention. Surgically, the entire tumor is removed within healthy liver tissues, as well as visible local metastases. After the operation, the doctor prescribes supportive therapy that will contribute to the restoration of hepatocyte functions. In case of cirrhosis and large tumor size, donor liver transplantation in Germany is indicated.
• Radiofrequency ablation. Exposure to the tumor of radio frequencies that cause destruction and death of cancer cells.
• Targeted therapy. Consists in the use of drugs that recognize malignant cancer cells and destroy them.
• Vascular embolization. The goal of the technique is to block blood flow in the vessels feeding the neoplasm and stop its development. Embolization is performed using polymer spheres mixed with cytostatic drugs, or a radioactive substance that is delivered directly to the pathological focus.
• Radiation therapy. High-energy radiation allows to slow down tumor growth, achieve a reduction in its size and prevent the spread of metastases.
• Radiation therapy. High-energy radiation allows to slow down tumor growth, achieve a reduction in its size and prevent the spread of metastases.

Chemotherapy is not used due to its low effectiveness in fighting oncology of the hepatobiliary system. But methods of immunotherapy, phototherapy and the use of radioactive isotopes allow successful cancer treatment.

Treatment Cost

The cost of liver cancer treatment in Germany is calculated together with diagnostic procedures and includes expenses for medications, rehabilitation and doctor's fee. Since the treatment tactics for each patient are calculated individually, prices are also adjusted taking into account:

• the type of oncopathology;
• the severity of the disease;
• concomitant disorders.

But in any case, the final cost will be announced to the patient before arrival in Germany. German medical institutions use different therapeutic tactics and rehabilitation methods, so the price will be adjusted depending on the chosen oncology center.

Clinic Selection in Germany

Our company will help you facilitate the choice of an oncology center in Germany. We select doctors and clinics based on annual qualification reports and for each client we prepare several proposals for different budgets. Our company organizes remote expert evaluation of cancer therapy by leading German specialists and provides services for:

• verification of histological studies;
• obtaining a second opinion on the results of the diagnostics performed;
• selection of treatment methods according to German protocols.

German Oncologists Union

German Oncologists Union Oncology Clinics

📍Germany

OncoUnion Clinics

OncoUnion offers a full range of services for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant oncological diseases, in accordance with international medical standards.

Oncological

European CyberKnife Center

9.9/10 from 59 reviews

📍Max-Lebsche-Platz 31, 81377 München, Germany

Europäisches Cyberknife Zentrum München

The European "CyberKnife" Medical Center specializes in the treatment of malignant and benign tumors. Here the Cyberknife device has been implemented and successfully used - a progressive device for non-surgical treatment of oncology.

University

Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital Munich

9.7/10 from 40 reviews

📍Germany, Munich

29 specialized clinics, 12 specialized institutes, 50 interdisciplinary centers.

After Berlin's Charité, the Munich University Hospital with the Innenstadt and Großhadern campus is the largest maximum care medical complex in Germany.