Prostate cancer is quite common malignant sickness. The older a man becomes, the more likely he is to develop this disease. Prostate cancer ranks second in mortality after lung tumours. A large percentage of morbidity is of great concern to the medical world. That encourages an in-depth study of this problem. New methods, medical protocols, and medicines are coming out every year.
Current research shows that detecting signs of prostate cancer in the early stages can reduce mortality by 20-50%. In addition, timely initiation of treatment options often gives a chance for a full recovery.
Prostate cancer is treated in different ways. Surgical removal of the primary tumour, remote radiation therapy, brachytherapy, and systemic treatment option – chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted therapy are most often performed. New methods include radionuclide therapy with Lutetium-177 and Actinium-225.
Different schemes can be used depending on the stage, concomitant diseases, the patient’s age, and preferences.
Lu 177 PSMA 617 Therapy
Thanks to Lutetium 177, it became possible to irradiate exclusively prostate cancer cells, including metastases. It is also called membrane-specific antigen therapy. This treatment option is prescribed when cancer has metastasized to other organs and alternative ways are poorly tolerated or have failed. In some patients, it causes long-term remission.
According to the VISION clinical trial results, the drug Lu-177 PSMA 617 received FDA approval in March 2022 and the status of a “breakthrough in therapy” for metastatic prostate cancer. With one or more courses with Lu-177 PSMA, the 5-year survival rate of patients increased to 30%. The risk of relapse of the disease also decreased. In 30-40% of patients, remission persisted for two years.
However, not every person with advanced prostate cancer is a candidate for this treatment option. You need to consult an oncologist to learn more about Lu-177 PSMA Therapy and the best treatment.
DaVinci’s robotic surgery
In cases where the tumour does not extend beyond the prostate gland, radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate) is considered the gold standard. That is a minimally invasive treatment option that completely removes cancer cells from the body, practically without affecting the functions of the genitourinary system.
The robot surgeon acts with jewellery precision and does not damage the nerve bundles responsible for the potency and retention of urine. In addition, thanks to a 20-fold increase in the operating area, the surgeon can remove the affected prostate and lymph node cells and minimize the risk of postoperative complications.
According to statistics collected at the European Prostate Center in Gronau, using the Da Vinci robot allows patients to maintain potency in 88.8%.
Proton treatment option
The proton treatment option is the most accurate and technologically advanced method of destroying tumour cells. It allows the cure of prostate cancer with minimal radiation load on healthy tissues. In addition, using the “pencil beam scanning” treatment option allows doctors to maximide the absence of side effects and protect the patient from impotence. That is extremely important for men diagnosed with prostate cancer at a young age.
The proton beam is directed precisely into the tumour, repeating its outlines with an accuracy of up to a millimetre. Thus, only the tumour is destroyed, and healthy tissues are unaffected.
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
Prostate ablation is a narrowly focused ultrasound effect on malignant cells.
The treatment option is heating the prostate tissue to 65°C, ultimately leading to cancer cell necrosis. HIFU ablation is used in cases where radical prostatectomy is not possible. Or as a life-saving therapy in case of tumour recurrence after other treatment methods.
Since the prostate cancer treatment option does not involve punctures or incisions, it is indicated for elderly patients with concomitant diseases.
The effect is carried out using a sensor inserted into the patient’s rectum. Local temperature rise destroys cancer cells without harm to healthy tissues.
Cryotherapy for prostate cancer
Cryoablation is the freezing of prostate tissue in the best prostate cancer treatment options in the literal sense of the word. Under ultrasound control, cryoprobes are installed in the prostate gland and cooled to a temperature of –40°C. When frozen, water crystals form in cancer cells, which destroy their structure. Healthy tissues do not suffer, and frozen malignant cells do not recover after thawing.
Top 10 best hospitals for prostate cancer treatment
The rating of the best clinics worldwide for prostate cancer therapy according to patient reviews included:
- University Hospital Charite Berlin;
- St. Zdislavy Hospital Velke Mezirici;
- University Hospital rechts der Isar Munich;
- Beta clinic Bonn;
- Anadolu Medical Centre;
- Teknon Medical Centre Barcelona;
- University Hospital Ulm;
- Hannover Medical School Hospital,
- Ichilov Sourasky Medical Centre Tel Aviv,
- University Hospital Vienna.
Benefits of medical tourism for prostate cancer
Each country has its leading national hospitals and centres where outstanding specialists work to provide healthcare, treatment, and diagnostics. However, the level of services is sometimes different from those offered by European clinics.
Patients often choose hospitals in Germany, Austria, Turkey, or Israel for prostate cancer treatment abroad. However, among the “young” areas, countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland are becoming popular.
Prostate cancer treatment in Europe is:
- Cutting-edge equipment of European hospitals. Experienced specialists apply the newest methods of prostate cancer treatment.
- Complexity. European medicine has moved away from a highly specialized approach. Doctors of different directions work closely together. Often one patient is treated by a group of professionals, which allows for a comprehensive approach to solving health problems.
- Comfortable conditions and related services, for example, the services of a psychologist.
- Patient orientation. When choosing a treatment option, the general physical condition, the stage of prostate cancer, the presence of contraindications, and concomitant diseases are taken into account.
Prostate cancer treatment abroad today provides maximum opportunities for each patient in terms of quality of service, guarantees the reliability of care, and also provides the opportunity to combine treatment with rest.
No matter how prosaic it may sound, health is a person’s most valuable thing. But most people begin to appreciate it after this health is lost. Entrusting their health to European doctors, patients receive the most modern, highly effective, and comfortable treatment.
John Wayne did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
