Complementary and alternative medicine, or integrative medicine, is combination of the convenient therapeutic options with additional measures for improving patient’s quality of life. German clinics consider not the sole result of the disease treatment, but patient’s general state and individual aims as well. Thus, conception of the integrative medicine is applied in specialized German cancer centers and departments as the most beneficial for patients one.
Complementary and alternative medicine, or integrative medicine, is combination of the convenient therapeutic options with additional measures for improving patient’s quality of life. German clinics consider not the sole result of the disease treatment, but patient’s general state and individual aims as well. Thus, conception of the integrative medicine is applied in specialized German cancer centers and departments as the most beneficial for patients one.
Integrative approach to the therapy
German specialists actively apply all conventional lung cancer treatment options paying attention to innovations in all therapy types:
- Surgery in Germany, including partial or total lung removing, is preferably performed by video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS). VATS is less invasive and does not require chest opening.
- Chemotherapy serves as the anti-relapse measure after surgery. It can also be administered along with radiotherapy in inoperable tumors.
- Radiation therapy is typically performed instead of the surgery, when invasive intervention carries high risks. Under the influence of irradiation a tumor stops spreading and shrinks.
- Immunotherapy is the most up-to-date and promising therapeutic option. Checkpoint inhibitors Opdivo and Keytruda are successfully applied in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. These medications block a signal that prevents activated T-cells from attacking tumor.
- Targeted therapy recognizes specific changes or mutations in lung cancer cells and affects them in different ways. It is more specific and has fewer side effects compared to conventional chemo. Such remedies as Avastin, Zykadia, Iressa, and Xalkori are available in Germany.
Pulmonary rehabilitation in the hospital and at home
In Germany, lung cancer treatment is always followed by specialized rehabilitation programs. It involves pulmonologists, therapeutists, oncologists, physical therapists, nutritionists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals. Typically, program includes such basic activities:
- Adjusted to the patient’s physical condition aerobic exercises.
- Diaphragmatic breathing and other breathing techniques.
- Accessory respiratory muscles training (thoracic muscles, muscles of neck and back).
- Nutrition counseling.
- Individual and group psychological work with patients and their relatives.
- Stress reduction by yoga, massage, meditation, hypnosis, etc.
- Pharmacological support, therapy for symptoms alleviation.
Pulmonary rehabilitation facilitates recovery after surgery and improves life quality. Patients return to usual social and working activities in a shorter time period.
Leading hospitals for lung cancer treatment
Best hospitals in Germany provide international patients with the whole spectrum of diagnosis and therapeutic options, including taking part in clinical trials. Here are the TOP healthcare institutions that show outstanding results in the treatment of lung cancer in Germany:
- University Hospital Heidelberg.
- University Hospital Frankfurt am Main.
- University Hospital RWTH Aachen.
- University Hospital Cologne.
- University Hospital Duesseldorf.
All large German healthcare facilities have special quotas for residents of the country and for the international patients. Carefully preparing all the necessary documents, being on the waiting list for several months and covering all the expenses, it is totally possible to receive treatment invitation.
Effortless treatment abroad with Booking Health
Planning treatment of lung cancer in Germany a patient and his relatives need to consider a number of issues, from planning the most comfortable for the patient trip to buying medications for the maintenance chemotherapy. Assistance of Booking Health will facilitate the process significantly.
Booking Health is the international medical tourism operator that arranges lung cancer treatment abroad for patients from 75 countries. Specialists of the company assist in:
- Choosing the healthcare facility and treating physician.
- Receiving treatment invitation and booking the appointment.
- Getting familiar with the preliminary medical program.
- Providing reasonable cost for medical services, without overpricing and additional coefficients.
- Buying and forwarding of medicines.
- Return of unspent funds after the final calculation.
- Arranging follow-up procedures and distant consultations.
- Booking accommodation, tickets, transfer, etc.
- Translating medical reports, services of an interpreter and personal coordinator.
Medical experts of Booking Health will monitor all the stages of medical program implementation, so you may stay confident and concentrate on the treatment.
