Cancer Treatment in Germany

Oncology is one of the priority medical fields in Germany. Clinics specializing in cancer treatment employ the most advanced technologies. Significant state funding is allocated for oncology research, the level of medical services is strictly regulated and controlled. All this ensures that the quality of medical services for cancer treatment in Germany today is one of the best in the world.

Many cancer treatment clinics in Germany occupy leading positions in world rankings, demonstrating high efficiency in combating oncological disorders while providing comfortable conditions for patients. Leading German oncology centers actively accept patients from abroad and offer them a full range of medical services. This provides an opportunity to receive an accurate diagnosis, consult with the best oncologists in Germany and undergo the necessary cancer treatment in the best German oncology clinics.

MedTour will help you choose a medical center and a doctor specializing in treating the type of cancer you are concerned about. Sign up for a free consultation to get information about clinics, doctors, and treatment methods in Germany.

The Latest Cancer Treatment Methods in Germany

Leading cancer treatment clinics in Germany use the most effective and innovative methods of therapy. Many oncology centers actively cooperate with universities, maintain their own scientific laboratories, which allows them to conduct research, develop, and test new treatment methods and medications.

Cancer treatment in Germany usually involves a comprehensive approach that includes multiple methods. Both traditional, long-used and well-proven methods and innovative cancer treatment methods are employed.

• Surgery. Surgical treatment is considered a priority for many oncological diseases. In Germany, it is possible to perform operations of any degree of complexity at different stages of the malignant process. Preference is given to minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic surgery (if the diagnosis allows it). Operating rooms are equipped with modern equipment and navigation systems, enabling surgeons to perform highly precise procedures.
• Robotic surgery. For a number of surgeries, the da Vinci robotic system can be used, which allows surgeons to minimize damage to healthy tissues during surgery. For example, robotic surgery in Germany is commonly used for prostate cancer removal.
• Chemotherapy. It involves the use of drugs that kill malignant cells or stop them from dividing. In Germany, the newest and most effective drugs are used for chemotherapy, as well as innovative methods such as hyperthermic (or heated) intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Chemotherapy can be a standalone treatment, but it is often combined with surgery or radiation therapy.
• Radiation therapy. Irradiation helps slow down the progression of malignant tumors and kill individual cancer cells. In Germany, oncologists use the most modern methods of radiation therapy, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), 3D conformal radiation therapy. These techniques increase the impact on the affected areas of the body with minimal negative impact on healthy tissues and cells.
• Proton therapy. This is an advanced method of radiation therapy that uses proton beams, which are obtained by accelerating hydrogen nuclei, instead of traditional gamma rays. Proton therapy provides increased precision of action and has fewer side effects.
• CyberKnife. This is a radiosurgery procedure that uses high doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. The method can be an alternative to traditional surgery for a number of tumors, such as brain tumors. The use of the CyberKnife allows surgeons to reach hard-to-access places, and to act with high precision and safety.
• Targeted therapy. It involves administering medications that specifically affect cancer cells without harming healthy tissues. The drugs are selected individually, taking into account the type of cancer cells, determined through molecular and genetic analysis. There are two types of targeted cancer drugs. Monoclonal antibodies, which block receptors for cancer cell growth factors, and low-molecular inhibitors, which penetrate cancer cells and act on certain proteins and other targets. Targeted therapy in Germany is often prescribed for kidney, lung, colon, and breast cancer.
• Cancer vaccines. The latest cancer treatment technologies in Germany use the body’s immune system to effectively combat the disease. One of the areas of immunotherapy is the creation of personalized cancer vaccines. These vaccines are made using the patient’s own tumor cells. After the vaccine is introduced into the body, the immune system learns to independently recognize and destroy malignant cells.
• CAR-T therapy. This is another direction of immunotherapy, which “teaches” immune cells to attack malignant tumors. In this case, T-lymphocytes are extracted from the patient’s blood, modified in a laboratory, and reintroduced into the patient. CAR-T therapy is used, for example, for certain types of leukemia.

The best cancer treatment clinics in Germany offer a personalized approach. Oncologists develop an individual treatment plan for each patient, selecting the most effective methods of therapy in each specific case. Doctors treat all types and forms of cancer, including both common and rare. Oncology clinics in Germany provide treatment for liver, kidney, lung, breast, thyroid cancer, tumors of the digestive system, oncological blood disorders, and more. Palliative care for cancer patients in Germany is also tailored to individual needs.

To learn about the latest treatment methods for specific oncological conditions in Germany, please contact us.

Cost of Cancer Treatment in Germany

Prices for cancer treatment in Germany are partly regulated by the state. However, prices for medical services may vary in different clinics. This is due to the clinic’s status and the qualifications of the doctor. In addition, the price may vary depending on the extent of diagnostics required, the stage of the disease, the treatment methods, and a number of other factors.

Approximate prices for different types of cancer treatment in Germany, presented (in USD):

• Breast lump removal — from $6,500;
• Surgery for thyroid cancer— from $7,800;
• Bladder cancer surgery — from $9,000;
• Lung cancer surgery — from $20,000;
• Prostate cancer surgery — from $10,500;
• Surgery for uterine cancer — from $12,000;
• Liver cancer surgery — from $18,500;
• Surgery for pancreatic cancer — from $20,000;
• Surgery for stomach cancer — from $8,000;
• Radiation therapy — from $1,000;
• Chemotherapy — from $1,500;
• Immunotherapy — from $3,000.

For more precise information on the cost of cancer treatment in Germany in specific clinics, you can consult a MedTour coordinating doctor.

Best Cancer Treatment Clinics in Germany

On the MedTour platform, you can find information about private, municipal, and university clinics in Germany specializing in cancer treatment. Among the leading oncology clinics in Germany that we cooperate with are:

• Asklepios Hospital Barmbek. The clinic is included in the TOP 3 best clinics for medical tourism worldwide. The Department of Oncology at Asklepios Hospital Barmbek treats all types of solid tumors and hematological cancer. The clinic employs cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment methods, including transarterial chemoembolization, video-assisted thoracic surgery, computed tomography (CT)-guided radio frequency ablation, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy.
• Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch. A network of 86 medical institutions. Helios Berlin-Buch was named the best national hospital by Focus, a German magazine, in 2018. Its Department of Oncology includes eight oncology centers specializing in the treatment of gynecological oncology, skin cancer, breast cancer, blood cancer, urological malignant diseases, gastrointestinal oncology, endocrine oncology, and sarcoma.

• Nord Clinic Alliance. The network of Nord Alliance clinics includes four major hospitals, listed among the best medical institutions in Germany. The Oncology Center has seven departments specializing in studying and treating oncology of the breast, digestive organs, pancreas, tumors of the head and neck, urological and gynecological oncology, and hematological cancer. The clinic has its own molecular genetic laboratory. Cancer treatment is also carried out in children and adolescents.
• Essen University Hospital. This clinic was ranked among the world’s best hospitals in 2021. Oncology is one of the priority areas of this hospital. The clinic develops and tests new methods of treating various types of cancer, and uses a unique method of treating non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
• Municipal Clinic Solingen. Academic Hospital Solingen is one of the best clinics in Germany,with its Proctology Center considered best for colorectal cancer treatment. The clinic conducts scientific and clinical research, and searches for the most effective treatment methods for various oncological conditions.

For more information about the best cancer clinics in Germany, please contact the MedTour coordinating doctor for a free consultation.

Services for International Patients in Germany

Foreign patients who seek treatment at leading oncology clinics in Germany can receive a full range of medical services related to cancer diagnostics and treatment. The advantages of choosing treatment in Germany include the exceptionally high quality of procedures offered, the use of the most effective cancer treatment methods, and the opportunity to be treated by the best oncologists in Germany. At the same time, the cost of treatment is quite reasonable.

By contacting us, you can also receive additional services:

• Assistance with administrative issues, and scheduling.
• Assistance in preparing all necessary medical documents and sending them to the clinic.
• Arrangement of accommodation during treatment in Germany (if necessary).
• Organizing accommodation during treatment in Germany (if necessary).
• Interpreter services and support in Germany.
• Planning and support for the entire period of stay in Germany.

MedTour will help you make the right choice and find the most suitable clinic for cancer treatment, taking into account your medical needs and financial capabilities.

Published: 22.11.2024

Updated: 01.12.2024

Medical author:

Ilona Baidiuk

Medical author, Medical editor:

Natalia Segen