Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that arises in the tissues of the prostate gland. Today, prostate cancer is considered the most widespread oncological pathology in the male population.
Risk factors for prostate cancer development
Science has not established the exact causes of prostate cancer development. However, the main risk factors are age, hereditary predisposition, certain dietary habits, and smoking. More than 70% of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases occur in men over 65.
In the presence of a hereditary predisposition, men after 45 are into the risk group. However, prostate cancer is getting younger. Patients over 40 are often diagnosed with prostate cancer. Therefore, the importance of regular urological examinations should not be underestimated, especially if there was a case of prostate cancer in the family.
Surgery for prostate cancer treatment
Surgery is considered a first-line treatment for prostate cancer. Surgical removal of the prostate gland (radical prostatectomy) is recommended for patients with localized prostate cancer (a tumor that does not spread beyond the organ) that does not have metastases. For more aggressive prostate cancer, surgery alone might not be enough.
There is an option of performing radical prostatectomy with a da Vinci robot. A tenfold imaging, highly detailed operating area, and microinstruments moving in any direction allow preserving the surrounding healthy tissues, avoiding blood loss, and minimizing the risks of urological problems or erectile dysfunction development.
Generally, surgery is aimed at preserving the erection nerves, and if possible, at preventing postoperative erectile dysfunction. Today, various surgical techniques are low-traumatic and allow sparing of the nerves responsible for erection.
Alternative methods of prostate cancer treatment
Treatment methods that represent the alternative to surgery include:
- Radiation therapy
- Brachytherapy
- Hormone therapy
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
- Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
The advantage of radiation therapy is that it does not require a surgical intervention. Besides, radiation therapy showed excellent results in the 10-year survival rate. When it comes to detecting cancer early, Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening is a vital tool for women’s health. If you have moved here recently or have yet to establish care with a healthcare provider, it’s essential to find a local doctor who can help you schedule these important screenings.
The cost of prostate cancer treatment
The cost of prostate cancer treatment varies, as the prices depend on the hospitals, the specifics of the disease, and the complexity of its treatment.
For example in Germany, the cost of prostate cancer treatment with da Vinci prostatectomy is 11,445-26,330 EUR. Radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer costs 13,800-29,936 EUR, and brachytherapy costs 13,234-19,647 EUR.
It is important to consider the cost of possible additional procedures and follow-up care. Therefore, the ultimate cost of treatment may differ from the initial price.
To learn more about the cost of prostate cancer treatment, you may visit the Booking Health website.
How can I undergo prostate cancer treatment during a lockdown?
Many countries have closed their borders following the lockdown regimen, due to the spread of the COVID-19. Thus, undergoing treatment abroad has become more complicated.
In case you need to start your treatment of prostate cancer in Germany promptly, to continue your treatment abroad, or to make sure you get the best treatment possible, know that you can still undergo treatment abroad even if your country is in lockdown.
Booking Health can facilitate the arrangement of quality of prostate cancer treatment by providing the following services:
- Communication with the chosen hospital
- Providing patients with up-to-date information about the cost of treatment
- Translation of medical reports
- Solving the issues with receiving a medical visa, even if the request for a visa has been declined
- If due to lockdown the embassy is closed completely, Booking Health resolves the issue through the federal police
- Medical visa extension when it is necessary to continue the treatment abroad
- Flight and accommodation booking
- Interpreting services
You can be free of unnecessary stress, while Booking Health takes care of all organizational issues. To specify any information, leave a request on the Booking Health website, and a medical advisor will contact you shortly.
