Brain tumor treatment in Germany
Brain tumor, as a type of cancer, makes up only 2% of all cancers, but is a very dangerous pathology. In Germany alone, brain and spinal cord cancer affects around 7 000 people a year.
Which types of brain tumors exist, is it possible to cure a brain tumor, how much does the operation cost in Germany? This is what we will discuss in our this article. Let's consider modern methods of brain cancer treatment in Germany.
What you need to know about brain tumors
Primary brain tumors arise from nerve cells in the central nervous system and are much more common than spinal cord formations.
The ICD-10 code for a brain tumor is D33. In this case, we are talking about a benign brain tumor.
A brain neoplasm of uncertain or unknown nature has the code D43.
There are more than 100 types of brain tumors. Among malignant adult brain tumors, glioblastoma is the most common. It does not have clear edges and sprouts separate branches into healthy brain cavities, which makes it difficult to remove the formation. In this case, physicians try to remove the affected tissue as much as possible. The remnants of the tumor are treated with radiation or chemotherapy.
After removal of a benign brain tumor, neurological disorders, usually do not occur. However, 5-7% of neoplasms are located in hard-to-reach areas, where it is very difficult to make surgical removal. The risks of neurologic complications are significantly increased during these operations: loss of mobility, speech and vision problems.
Often there are secondary or metastatic brain tumors - brain metastases, which are formed from tumors located in other organs. Every year there is a tendency for this pathology to grow.
Brain cancer surgery in Germany: Where do I go when I need help?
Surgery is still the main method for the treatment of brain tumors. The more affected tissue is removed during surgery, the more chances for successful recovery. The crucial factor in this process is the experience of the neurosurgeon.
The chief physician of the Duisburg Neurosurgery Hospital, Prof. Martin Scholz, performs operations on the brain and spinal cord every day. He belongs to a small community of extreme surgeons who take on operations that other surgeons refuse to do. Knowing that a patient's prognosis will be significantly improved by removing the entire tumor motivates the surgeon to perform the most difficult operations.
Professor Scholz removes tumors that were considered as inoperable 15 years ago. The removal of herniated discs, decompression of the spinal canal, removal of brain tumors - all of these surgeries are most often performed by Professor Scholz using the microsurgery method.
The microsurgery method provides excellent conditions for detecting and viewing any anatomical detail. Microsurgery avoids major damage to the brain tissue and significantly reduces the risks of neurological consequences.
How does brain tumor removal surgery perform?
Microsurgery is not the only method of tumor removal, but it is certainly one of the most gentle. The latest neurosurgical technology enables the surgeon to see a 3D three-dimensional picture from any angle and with multiple zooming. For this purpose, the operating light microscope and other instruments are introduced into the surgical area not through a “large incision”, as in conventional surgery, but with the help of a special tube, through a small opening.
The thickness of some surgical instruments is no more than two millimeters. The surgery is performed under a microscope combined with neuronavigation systems, rather than under direct visual control. All anatomical structures of the brain are displayed in the surgeon's eyepieces. Intraoperative monitoring systems monitor the integrity of the structures and blood flow in the brain vessels throughout the entire surgical procedure.
In addition to the ZEISS high-frequency surgical microscope, the operating rooms of the Duisburg Clinic are equipped with:
- Intraoperative CT scanner
- Fluorescence Navigation System
- Laser Surgery Unit
- Intraoperative Neuromonitoring and Neuronavigation System
- O-Arm Surgical Imaging System
- Endoscopic equipment.
Modern equipment of the Duisburg Neurosurgery Hospital allows to perform resection practically at the cellular level and fully control the volume of the removed tumor and, most importantly, to perform the operation safely for the patient. The availability of modern equipment and enormous experience allows surgeons to remove complex tumors with minimal consequences.
Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (neurophysiological monitoring) has also brought significant improvements. The technique is based on the idea that during surgery, low-amplitude currents are passed through the patient's brain to monitor the integrity of the brain's conductive pathways. As soon as the surgeon approaches the brain structures responsible for important body functions, the system informs about it. This method minimizes the injury of healthy tissue.
Radiotherapy for brain tumor
Radiation therapy for brain cancer is used as an alternative to surgery and in addition to surgery. There are several methods of radiation therapy that are actively used in German hospitals. These include:
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy - IGRT. Due to computer visualization of brain structures, physicians control the direction of the beam of rays and control their focus;
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy - IMRT. Thanks to three-dimensional modeling of the shape of the tumor, a beam of rays of different intensities is created to precisely match the contours of the tumor;
3D Conformal Radiation Therapy - 3D-CRT. The method is based on the creation of a computer model of the tumor, extremely corresponding to its shape, which provides the most accurate radiation of the tumor.
Radiation of the brain is indicated in the case when:
- Surgical resection of the tumor is impossible
- The tumor has not been completely removed
- There is a risk of recurrence
In some cases, radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy. Survival rates in brain cancer directly depend on the volume of the resected tumor, its type and proper treatment after surgery. The surgeon sends part of the formation for histological examination to identify the type of tumor and develop tactics for further treatment. Patients with glioblastoma, for example, who have undergone radiation after surgery together with chemotherapy have the best prognosis.
Latest methods of treating brain cancer in Germany
Scientists in Germany are working on new ways to target cancer cells. The latest development is the treatment of glioblastomas with electric fields (TTF). Electrodes are placed on the patient's head to create an electric field that can prevent glioblastoma cancer cells from dividing. Studies conducted at the University Hospital Dresden, involving 700 patients, have shown good results.
Each brain tumor has its own unique gene profile, and knowing which one affects the success of treatment. One tactic for every tumor is not suitable in this case. German doctors discuss each case in an interdisciplinary oncology board and develop an effective treatment plan for each patient.
An effective treatment for brain cancer requires a comprehensive diagnosis. A competent and detailed patient consultation is only possible if it is carried out by an expert physician who is not only informed about modern methods of brain tumor treatment, but also has sufficient experience in their practical application. For this reason, we recommend that you only contact highly qualified brain cancer treatment centers in Germany.
How much does brain tumor surgery cost in Germany?
The cost of brain tumor removal in Germany can range from €15,000 to €30,000, depending on the complexity of the disease and how the tumor will be removed. Detailed information about the cost of brain tumor surgery in Germany can be found at the beginning of this page, in the prices section.
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The best neurosurgery hospitals in Germany
Brain tumor treatment in Germany is recommended to be performed in certified oncolgic or neurosurgical clinics. Below we list the top 10 best brain cancer hospitals in Germany. The recommendation is based on a survey by the FOCUS 2024 magazine.
- Sana Duisburg Hospital for Neurosurgery, Prof. Martin Scholz.
- Charité University Hospital, Center for Neurosurgery, Professor Peter Vajkoczy.
- Charité University Hospital, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Prof. Ulrich Thomale.
- University Hospital Düsseldorf, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, Professor Mark Remke.
- University Hospital Aachen, Department of Neurosurgery, Prof. Hans Klusman.
- University Hospital Dresden, Department of Neurosurgery, Prof. Ilker Eyüpoglu.
- University Hospital Tübingen, Department of Neurosurgery, Prof. Markus Tatajiba.
- University Hospital Munich, Department of Neurosurgery, Prof. Jörg-Christian Tonn.
To get a remote consultation with a leading German neurosurgeon, to find out the cost of brain tumor surgery, please send an application or contact us by phone numbers listed on the website.
We will contact you as soon as possible to clarify your situation, help you find a physician, guide you on the cost of treatment and arrange an appointment.
