Brain Cancer Treatment in Germany

Brain cancer is marked by cancerous cell growth in the brain. The cancer cells combine and form tumors that can either be slow-growing or fast-growing, depending on the type of tumor. Brain cancer is a relatively rare form of cancer but still causes more than 250,000 deaths annually.

Treatment for brain cancer mainly involves removing the tumor, followed by destroying any remaining cancer cells. If you or anyone of your known is suffering from brain cancer, Germany will be a good option. The country’s healthcare system strongly emphasizes patient well-being, ensuring that individuals receive compassionate care throughout their treatment journey.

Thanks to its advanced medical infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and highly skilled healthcare professionals, Germany has gained a reputation as a leading destination for treating brain tumors.

This article will give you an overview of brain cancer, symptoms to look for, and current treatment options available in Germany. 

What is Brain Cancer?

Brain cancer is marked by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the brain or nearby areas such as nerves, the pineal gland, and the pituitary gland. It can be a life-threatening disease as it causes changes in the vital structure of the brain.

Brain tumors that originate from the organ itself are known as primary brain tumors. Secondary brain tumors are tumors that start somewhere else in the body and then metastasize to the brain.

The disease can be differentiated based on its location and the type of cell/tissue involved. Some common types of brain tumors are glioma, astrocytoma, meningioma, ganglioglioma, medulloblastoma, and neurinoma.

What are the Main Symptoms of Brain Cancer?

The symptoms of brain cancer can be confusing with other disorders. This is the primary reason for brain cancer being diagnosed in later stages. Tumors can develop for a long time without showing any prominent signs.

Some common signs and symptoms of brain cancer are:

• Headaches: Persistent or worsening headaches, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
• Seizures: Unexplained seizures or convulsions that occur without a history of epilepsy.
• Vision and Hearing Changes: Blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, and hearing problems such as tinnitus or hearing loss.
• Fatigue and Drowsiness: Persistent fatigue, drowsiness, or a general feeling of weakness and lethargy.
• Cognitive Changes: Difficulty concentrating, confusion, and changes in thinking abilities.
• Motor Problems: Weakness or numbness in the limbs, often on one side of the body.
• Mood and Personality Changes: Unexplained mood swings, irritability, or alterations in behavior or personality. 

How is Brain Cancer Diagnosed in Germany?

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, your physician may run a few tests to make a confirmed diagnosis. Here is a brief overview of the standard diagnostic approaches used by German hospitals:

• Medical History and Physical Examination: The physician generally begins by discussing medical history, including the symptoms patient is experiencing. A physical examination may also be conducted to assess neurological function, reflexes, and coordination.
• Imaging Tests: Imaging techniques such as MRI and CT scans are commonly used to present clear images of soft tissues. These scans help identify the presence, location, and size of even the most minor tumors.
• Biopsy: A biopsy involves obtaining a sample of the tumor tissue and analyzing it further to know the type and grade of the tumor. It can be done through various methods, such as needle biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, or open surgery.
• Lumbar puncture: In certain patients, a lumbar puncture may be performed to analyze the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the presence of cancer cells.

Once the brain cancer is confirmed, further testing is done to determine the stage and extent of the disease. This involves additional imaging scans, such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

What are the Challenges Faced by Oncologists in Treating Brain Cancer?

• The significant difficulty faced by doctors in treating brain cancer is the complexity of the organ. The brain performs many vital functions and should be operated on with high precision.
• The tumor located on the functional parts of the brain makes surgical removal challenging and risky. Any damage to the healthy tissue creates irreversible neurological deficits.
• Blood-brain barrier also creates difficulties for chemotherapy and other biological drugs to reach the organ. This results in poor patient response to medication. 

What are the Innovative Treatment Methods Used for Brain Cancer in Germany?

Brain cancer treatment depends on the stage and extent of the cancer. Several treatment methods are currently being used for cancer treatment, including chemo, radiation, and surgical removal of the tumor.

Germany has invested heavily in developing a world-class healthcare system. It offers various innovative methods for treating brain cancer, like intensity-modulated radiation therapy, cryosurgery, Gamma Knife, and high-intensity focused ultrasound.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy involves using cytotoxic anticancer drugs to kill brain cancer cells. It might be given after the surgery, along with radiotherapy, or when the brain cancer has recurred.
• Common drugs used are procarbazine, temozolomide, lomustine, and vincristine.
• German oncologists are experts in implanting Chemotherapy Wafers. It is a newer technique where the drug is embedded in the brain tissue as a wafer. The wafer dissolves in 2 to 3 weeks, and the chemotherapeutic drug is slowly released.

Radiotherapy

• Radiotherapy is another common treatment method for brain cancer. Radiation therapy might be given to the whole brain or the tumor and surrounding area.
• The total dose is divided into smaller amounts called fractions and given over 3 to 6 weeks of time. For brain tumors, external radiation therapy is given.
• Conformal Radiotherapy is given using a LINAC machine that bombards the tumor with a high dose of radiation and healthy tissues with a relatively lower dose.
• Stereotactic Radiotherapy is used for brain tumors that are less than 3 cm. Various examples of stereotactic radiosurgery are Gamma Knife and CyberKnife. It usually does not involve many sessions and is a daycare procedure.
• Proton Beam Therapy is a safer option for brain tumors and involves using proton particles to destroy the DNA of cancer cells. This stops the tumor from growing and eventually shrinks it.

Surgery

• Surgery is the primary treatment for brain cancer. It might be done to remove the whole or part of the tumor to slow its growth.
• A Craniotomy is performed under general anesthesia and involves cutting the scalp to gain access to the brain tissue. The tumor is removed using a scalpel, special scissors, or ultrasound and a suction device.
• Awake Craniotomy is suggested for patients having tumors at locations close to part of the brain that controls essential functions. As the name suggests, patients are kept awake during the procedure and asked to perform specific tasks like speaking and moving body parts.
• Keyhole Brain Surgery or Neuroendoscopy is done to remove tumors from ventricles (fluid-filled spaces in the brain). It might also be advised for hydrocephalus. The surgery is done by making a small hole in the skull and inserting the endoscope through it. Tiny forceps and scissors are attached at the tip of the endoscope and used to remove the tumor.

Biological Drugs (Immunotherapy)

• Biological drugs are used to boost or restore the body’s natural defense mechanism against the tumor.
• Immunotherapy is a type of biological drug treatment that enhances the immune system of the body to kill cancer cells.
• Six major types of immunotherapy used for brain cancer are checkpoint inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, adoptive T-cell therapy, and adjuvant immunotherapies.

Best German Oncologists for Brain Cancer Treatment

• Prof. Dr. Volker Budach is an eminent Radiation Oncologist with more than 36 years of experience.
• Prof. Dirk Jager is an internationally renowned Medical Oncologist having 28 years of experience.
• Prof. Dr. Marion Kiechle is a well-known Medical Oncologist with 30+ years of experience.
• Dr. Med. Marek Budner is a Surgical Oncologist practicing for 31 years.

Conclusion

If you or a loved one is seeking brain cancer treatment, Germany will be a good choice due to its well-established medical infrastructure. The country collaborates with experts from various disciplines and focuses on personalized treatment plans. This contributes to improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for brain cancer patients.