Colon cancer, a type of cancer that originates in the colon, has become one of the most prevalent types of cancer worldwide. It is the 4th most common cancer diagnosed in Germany and caused 17,500 deaths in 2020.
Germany has been able to reduce the number of deaths due to colon cancer each year. This was made possible with the introduction of screening colonoscopy for people aged 55 and above as a part of the German National Statutory Cancer Screening Program. Approximately 1,80,000 colorectal cancers were prevented within ten years of this screening program.
Being diagnosed with a fatal disease like cancer can be a daunting experience for anyone. However, selecting the best hospital and oncologist becomes crucial for successful treatment. If you or any of your known ones have been diagnosed with colon cancer, getting treated in Germany would be a great choice.
The colon cancer treatment cost in Germany ranges from USD 23,500 to USD 38,400.
In Germany, colon cancer patients benefit from the country's well-established healthcare infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, highly skilled medical professionals, and a commitment to patient-centered care.
This article will provide you with a better understanding of colon cancer, its treatment, associated costs, and a list of the best oncologists in Germany.
Get in Touch with Medical Experts
What is Colon Cancer?
- Colon cancer is a malignant disease marked by the atypical growth of cells in the colon. The colon is a part of the large intestine and is about 5 feet long.
- Colon cancer typically starts as a small, benign cluster of cells called polyps. Some of these polyps have the tendency to become malignant and form colon cancer over time.
- Colon cancer does not show any prominent features in the beginning. However, as the stage of cancer increases, there are some noticeable signs and symptoms like changes in bowel habits (diarrhea or constipation), blood in stool, persistent abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue.
How is Colon Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosing cancer in its early stage is crucial for a complete cure. However, the long length of the colon and no markable signs & symptoms makes early detection of colon cancer difficult.
Various screening tests can be performed to detect colon cancer. These include:
- Colonoscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Fecal DNA Test
- Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT)
- Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Assay
- Scans like CT, MRI, PET
- Biopsy
- Ultrasound
What are the Treatment Approaches Used by German Oncologists for Treating Colon Cancer?
Germany is known for its advanced healthcare system and expertise in cancer care. The country is always involved in researching and developing new treatment modalities for cancer patients.
Germany currently uses the following treatment approaches for managing colon cancer:
Surgery
- Surgical resection is done to remove tumors from the colon and also some of the nearby healthy tissues and lymph nodes.
- Laparoscopic surgery may be performed on some colon cancer patients. The procedure is called keyhole surgery, a minimally invasive surgery that does not require large incisions. Removal of the tumor is done with the help of a laparoscope that has a light and camera attached to it.
- Colectomy is a surgery done to either remove the complete colon or some parts of it. Colectomy is generally of three types,
- Total Colectomy (entire colon is removed)
- Partial Colectomy (removing parts of the colon)
- Hemicolectomy (removing the left or right part of the colon)
- Radiofrequency Ablation or Cryoablation: RFA or radiofrequency ablation uses special probes with tiny electrodes that produce radiofrequency waves to kill cancer cells. In cryoablation, the cancer cells are frozen and killed.
Radiation Therapy
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-Rays and several other types of radiation to disrupt cancer cells. The treatment is given by specialized doctors known as radiation oncologists.
- External-Beam Radiation Therapy uses machines outside the body to deliver radiation to where the cancer is located. The regimen usually consists of giving radiation five days a week for several weeks.
- Germany also uses newer radiation techniques like brachytherapy (placing radioactive seeds inside the body) and stereotactic radiation therapy (delivering large doses of radiation precisely to a smaller area).
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy involves using anti-cancer drugs to destroy tumors by stopping the growth of cancer cells.
- Chemotherapy sessions consist of a fixed number of cycles given over a set period of time. Patients may be prescribed one drug or a number of medications in combination.
- Drugs approved for colon cancer include Capecitabine, Fluorouracil, Irinotecan, Oxaliplatin, and Trifluridine/tipiracil.
- Side effects associated with chemotherapy are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, neuropathy, hair loss, mouth sores, loss of appetite, and body pain.
Immunotherapy
- Immunotherapy drugs do not directly affect the tumor cells. They work by preventing the cancer cells from evading the immune system.
- Immunotherapy helps the body's own immunity to recognize, fight, and kill cancer cells.
- Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Checkpoint proteins are present on T cells that can turn on or off the immune response. Some types of cancer produce high levels of these proteins that switch off the immune response. Drugs like atezolizumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, Ipilimumab, and durvalumab are checkpoint inhibitor drugs that block different checkpoint proteins. These drugs enhance the immune system, ultimately destroying the cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy
- It is a relatively newer type of drug treatment being used by German Oncologists. Targeted therapy is a medical treatment specifically targeting cancer's genes and proteins.
- Since not all tumors have the same targets, some tests are run to identify genes and proteins in the cancer. The drugs are selected based on the test results, and the most effective treatment plan is made accordingly.
- For colon cancer, the following targeted therapies are currently being used -
- Anti-Angiogenesis Therapy: Bevacizumab, Regorafenib, Ziv-aflibercept, and ramucirumab
- Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors: Panitumumab and Cetuximab
- Combined Targeted Therapies: Encorafenib and Cetuximab
- HER2-Targeted Therapy: Tucatinib and Trastuzumab
How is Colon Cancer Treated in Germany on the Basis of Its Stage?
Oncologists in Germany use different treatment regimens for specific stages of colon cancer. The general treatment approach for each stage of colon cancer is given below.
- Stage 0 Colon Cancer: It is treated by a simple polypectomy surgery during colonoscopy. No additional surgery is required at this stage of colon cancer.
- Stage 1 Colon Cancer: The treatment plan for this stage of colon cancer involves surgical removal of the tumor.
- Stage 2 Colon Cancer: Surgery is the first line of treatment for stage 2 colon cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy may be given to specific patients whose cancer has penetrated through the bowel walls and are at a high risk of recurrence.
- Stage 3 Colon Cancer: It is generally treated by surgically removing the tumor followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. A clinical trial might also be an option for stage 3 colon cancer patients.
- Stage 4 Colon Cancer: Once the cancer reaches stage 4, i.e., it has metastasized to different body organs, the treatment regimen involves multiple therapies and surgeries. Surgery is done to remove the tumor from the colon and also from other body parts like the lungs or liver, wherever the cancer has metastasized. Chemotherapy can be given after and before the surgery. Radiation therapy is also used in stage 4 cancer treatment. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are also part of the treatment regimen.
What is the Cost of Colon Cancer Treatment in Germany?
The cost of colon cancer treatment in Germany is USD 23,500 – USD 38,400. This cost includes diagnostic tests, consultation charges, therapy and surgery costs, medicines, hospital stay, and follow-up charges.
- Chemotherapy: USD 9,100-13,500 (including the initial examinations, scans and consultations, and 1st dose of chemo - Outpatient)
- Radiation Therapy: USD 19,450-37,800 (6 weeks of outpatient radiotherapy)
- Targeted Therapy: USD 13,000-27,000 (depending on the drug being used)
- Immunotherapy: USD 27,000 (including all preliminary and follow-up examinations)
- Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE): USD 8,650-17,3004
- Partial Colectomy: USD 23,000
- Polypectomy: USD 1500-3000
The cost of colon cancer treatment can vary from patient to patient. It mainly depends on the stage of cancer, type of treatment received, type of hospital and room selected, an extended stay at the hospital, any complications arising during treatment, and accommodation during follow-ups.
Who are the Top Oncologists for Colon Cancer Treatment in Germany?
- Prof. Dr. Volker Budach: He is an eminent Radiation Oncologist in Berlin, Germany, who has been practicing for more than 36 years. Dr. Volker holds expertise in providing intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiation therapy, volumetrically modulated arc therapy, cyberknife, brachytherapy, intraoperative radiotherapy, etc. He is skilled in treating cancer of various body organs, including the colon, lungs, bones, liver, brain, etc.
- Prof. Dirk Jager: With an experience of over 28 years, Prof. Dirk is a renowned Medical Oncologist in Heidelberg, Germany. With around three decades of experience, he has now become an expert in treating colon cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and leukemia.
- Dr. Anca-Ligia Grosu: She is an eminent Radiation Oncologist in Freiburg, Germany, with four decades of experience. Dr. Grosu offers her excellence in radiosurgery, tomography, radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery. She has expertise in treating colon cancer, esophageal cancer, endometrial cancer, and gallbladder cancer.
- Prof. Dr. Med. Robert Krempien: He is a well-known Oncologist in Berlin, Germany, with over 25 years of experience. He is known for providing patient-centric individualized radiation therapy. He has expertise in treating breast cancer, colon cancer, intravascular radiation therapy in the thigh and pelvic region, prostate cancer, and radiation therapy of benign inflammatory diseases.
Takeaway
Germany would be the right choice to get colon cancer treatment as the country offers the best-in-class medical services at prices lower than most other nations. German hospitals have dedicated oncology and radiology departments equipped with world-class medical technology and facilities. The oncologists practicing in the country have extensive experience treating different types of cancer, including colon cancer.
Send Enquiry