Oncology in Berlin

Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating people with cancer is called an oncologist.

An oncologist can design a treatment plan based on detailed pathology reports that shows the type of cancer the patient has, how much cancer has developed, how fast the cancer is likely to spread, and what parts of the patient's body are involved.

The field of oncology has three main areas, which include:

• Medical oncologists use chemotherapy, hormonal therapies, and other types of targeted treatments to treat cancer. Most people think of medical oncologist as their primary cancer doctor. Medical oncologists help monitor and maintain patients' well-being, as well as helping patients manage side effects. Often patients follow up with their medical oncologist once their treatment is complete.
• Surgical oncologists perform the surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue. They will help patients prepare for and recover from any surgical procedure they undergo during their cancer treatment. If your primary doctor suspects that you have cancer, a surgical oncologist is likely one of the first doctors you see. Surgical oncologists can perform biopsies, which involves removing a small tissue sample to be checked for cancer cells.
• Radiation oncologists treat cancer using radiation therapy. They use high-energy photon beams to target and destroy cancer cells. Approximately one-half of all cancer patients will undergo radiation treatment during their cancer care.

Because most cancers are treated with a combination of therapies, you could see two or all three different oncologists during the course of your treatment.

Besides the three main areas, there are also several other areas of oncology. These include:

• Pediatric oncologists diagnose and treat cancer in children. Some types of cancer appear more often in children and teenagers, such as leukemia, brain tumors, osteosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Some pediatric oncologists focus on conducting research on childhood cancers, while others specialize in certain types of cancer.
• Gynecologic oncologists treat cancers that affect women, such as cancer of the ovary, cervix, uterus, vagina, and vulva. Additionally, they also treat complicated gynecological conditions that are not cancerous, such as fibroid tumors and endometriosis.
• Hematologist-oncologists diagnoses and treats blood cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. They may also specialize in the management of solid tumors.

Oncologists usually work with a variety of other medical professionals, including pathologists, diagnostic radiologists, oncology nurses, and oncology social workers. They may also work with doctors from other areas of medicine, such as neurologists, dermatologists, or urologists.

What does Oncology Involve?

There are many types of procedures to treat cancer. The types of procedures that you receive will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Some people who have cancer will only have one treatment. However, most people have a combination of treatments, such as surgery with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Below are the types of procedures to treat cancer:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells in the body and prevent them from growing. The drugs can prevent cell division, target the food source of the cancer cells’ (the hormones and enzymes the cells need to grow), and trigger apoptosis (a process in which cancer cells kill themselves).

• Chemotherapy drugs can be given in several different ways, including.
• Oral – taken in a pill or capsule form.
• Intravenously – through an infusion into a vein.
• Shots – injected with a needle.
• Topical – applying creams or gels into the skin. This type is used to treat certain types of skin cancer.

Chemotherapy drugs can also be given directly to cancer or directly to an area of the body, such as the abdomen or central nervous system.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy, or biologic therapy, boosts your body’s natural defenses to fight cancer. It uses substances made by your own body, or in a laboratory, to improve or restore your immune system function. It can stop cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, stop or slow the growth of cancer cells, and help your immune system work better at destroying cancer cells.

There are several types of immunotherapy to treat cancer, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell transfer therapy, monoclonal antibodies, treatment vaccines, and immune system modulators. Different types of immunotherapy may be given in different ways, such as intravenous (IV), oral, intravesical (directly into the bladder), or topical.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses drugs that are designed to specifically “target” cancer cells without affecting normal cells. It targets the cancer’s specific proteins, genes, or other tissue environment contributing to cancer survival and growth. These proteins and genes are found in cancer cells or in cells related to cancer growth.

The targeted drugs can block or turn off chemical signals that tell cancer cells when to divide and grow, stop making new blood vessels that feed cancer cells, change proteins within the cancer cells so the cells die, trigger the immune system to kill cancer cells, and carry toxins in the cancer cells to kill them.

• There are two types of targeted therapy:
• Small-molecule drugs, which is given through pills or capsules that you swallow
• Monoclonal antibodies, which are given through a needle in a blood vein.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses intense energy beams to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It most often uses X-rays, but other types of energy, such as protons may also be used.

Radiation therapy can be done in two ways:

• External-beam radiation therapy – this type of radiation therapy delivers radiation from a machine outside the body. You will lie on a table, and the machine (called a linear accelerator) moves around you to deliver radiation from several different angles. It is a quick and painless procedure.
• Internal radiation therapy – also called brachytherapy, involves both temporary and permanent placement of radioactive sources in the body. During the placement of the radioactive sources, you will be given anesthesia.

Hormone therapy

Hormone therapy stops or slows the growth of cancer that uses hormones to grow. It works by blocking your body’s ability to produce hormones or interfere with how hormones behave in your body. It can reduce the chance that cancer will return by stopping or slowing its growth, as well as preventing or reducing symptoms in men with prostate cancer.

Hormone therapy is usually used to treat breast and prostate cancer. It can be taken in many ways, including orally, through an injection, and surgery.

Stem Cell Transplant

People whose blood-forming stem cells are damaged by the very high doses of radiation therapy or chemotherapy can undergo stem cell transplant to restore the cells. Blood-forming stem cells are vital since they grow into different types of blood cells that you need to be healthy. The stem cells will be given to you through an IV catheter. The process is very much like receiving a blood transfusion.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment for cancer is a procedure to remove cancer from your body. There are many types of surgeries to treat cancer, which differ based on the part of the body that requires surgery, the purpose of the surgery, the amount of tissue to be removed, and your preference. In general, the surgery can be open or minimally invasive.

• During open surgery, one large incision is made to remove the tumor, some healthy tissue, and some nearby lymph nodes.
• During minimally invasive surgery, a few tiny incisions are made instead of a large one. These incisions are made to insert a laparoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) and special surgical tools. The laparoscope allows your surgeon to see the inside of the body, and the surgical tools are used to remove the tumor and some healthy tissue.

How Long Should I Stay in Berlin?

For chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy, the treatment schedule may vary. You may have treatment every day, week, or month. It may also be given in a cycle, which is a period of treatment followed by a period of rest to give your body a chance to recover. For surgical treatment, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days, and you need to stay in Berlin for at least 10 to 14 days. Your oncologist and/or medical tourism team will advise you on the length of stay in Berlin.

What's the Recovery Time?

The type of procedure you undergo determines the recovery period. While you may be able to get back to your normal routine within 10 days after laparoscopic surgery, you may need to wait around 6 weeks to fully recover from open surgery. Your oncologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline.

What About Aftercare?

You will be given instructions on how to take care of yourself. Your surgeon or nurse will explain how to control your pain, how to take care of your wound, activities you can and cannot do, and how to spot signs of infections. You may also need to talk to a dietitian to help with eating problems caused by the treatment. You will need to attend follow-up checkups to monitor your condition.

What's the Success Rate?

Cancer survival has improved significantly due to constant advancement and improvements in the field of oncology, including improvement in treatments and screening (allowing for earlier diagnosis). Still, you need to be aware of the risks, such as infection, bleeding, nerve damage, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.

Are there Alternatives to Oncology?

There is no other alternative than to see an oncologist when it comes to cancer treatments. Some people may choose to undergo meditation, hypnosis, and acupuncture as well, usually to relieve the stress, anxiety, and pain that cancer can bring.

Oncology in and around Berlin

About Berlin

Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany and with over 3.7 million inhabitants; it is the second-most populous city of the European Union after London. It is an alpha city of culture, politics, media, and science. The metropolitan city is also a popular tourist destination, thanks to its rich history, vibrant culture, lively parties, delightful food, and incredible architecture.  

Today, Berlin is one of the most popular destinations for medical tourism. The number of medical tourists coming to the city increases each year. Most of them travel from Poland, the Netherlands, France, and the Middle East. Some of the more popular treatments are oncology, cardiology, dentistry, and even tummy tuck. Although the cost is considerably higher than the neighboring countries such as Hungary, medical tourists still come for high-quality treatment with cutting-edge technology. Thousands of medical tourists prefer Berlin for the following reason:

• A patient-focused health-care system with a wide range of treatment.
• Qualified doctors, surgeons, nurses, and other medical practitioners. 
• Hospitals equipped with modern technology.
• Higher quality treatments, care, and services.
• Attractive destination and environment, perfect for rejuvenating and recovery.

Popular Areas in Berlin

As a famous tourist destination, Berlin has numerous attractions to see and many things to do. Whether you want to indulge in its culture, eat its food, or have a non-stop party, there will always be something for you.

• Museum Island (Museumsinsel) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a unique group of five world-renowned museums and it is the perfect place for those who love history and culture. From Ancient Egyptians, Roman Antiquity, the civilizations of the ancient Greek, Christian, and Islamic arts, to 19th Century European Art is available to see in the museums. 
• Brandenburg Gate is Berlin’s most famous landmark. This 18th-century neoclassical monument used to symbolize divided Germany during the cold war since the Berlin Wall shut off access to the gate for both East and West Germans. Now, it has turned into a symbol of unity.
• Berlin Wall Memorial is located in the middle of the city where East and West were once divided. The memorial extends along 1.4 kilometers of the former border strip and contains the last piece of the Berlin Wall. The historical remnants and traces of borders are preserved on display so visitors can see and learn more about the history behind it. 
• Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) is the biggest church building in Berlin. The architecture and interior will leave visitors in awe. The architect, Julius Raschdorff, used the style of the Italian High Renaissance and Baroque elements. The interior is magnificent with marble columns and golden ornaments in abundance.
• Glass Dome of the Reichstag is an architectural masterpiece constructed on top of the rebuilt Reichstag building. The rooftop terrace and dome offer an outstanding view of the parliamentary and government district as well as Berlin’s skyline. There is also a restaurant on the rooftop.

Weather and Climate in Berlin 

Just like the rest of Germany, Berlin enjoys four distinct seasons, making it a year-round destination for tourists. Spring starts around March and ends in May. This season is characterized by the arrival of cherry blossoms and the increase of the temperature. The temperature is around 4.3 °C in early March and will get as warm as 19.4 °C in May.

Summer runs from June to August with an average temperature of 24 °C but can get as high as 30 °C in the hottest days. This season is the peak of tourism because people can enjoy outdoor activities, so prices can be a lot higher than usual.

The months of September and November are Autumn. The weather in this season is similar to summer, which is warm and pleasant. However, the temperature can drop significantly in late November. Tourists usually visit the city during autumn for the Oktoberfest.

Winter in the city can be freezing, cloudy, and wet. The temperature can plummet to -10 °C on the coldest days. The city is generally very festive during this season, thanks to the Christmas spirit. 

Getting Around in Berlin

Berlin has two main airports: Berlin Tegel Airport and Berlin Schönefeld Airport. The main international airport is the Berlin Tegel Airport located in the northwest. The airport serves domestic flights to other cities in Germany and international flights to almost every major city around the globe. Berlin Schönefeld Airport is the secondary airport that mainly serves budget airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair. It is also an international airport that operates domestic and international flights. To get to the city center from both airport, bus, train, taxi or car are available. 

To get around Berlin, there are various transportation modes to choose from. The main means of transport in the capital is the U-Bahn system, which comprises 9 metro lines and 173 stations. During peak hours, trains run every two to five minutes and every ten minutes in the evening and on Sundays. Along with the U-Bahn, the S-Bahn system is also one of the main means of transport. It has 15 lines serving 166 stations and has a longer average distance between station than the U-Bahn. 

Tourists can also ride the tram and the tram lines mostly operate in the eastern neighborhoods since the tram lines in the former West Berlin were replaced by bus and U-Bahn. The tram lines operate 24 hours a day in some areas. 

The bus in Berlin has around 151 lines running every 10 minutes for 24 hours. The buses also replace metro trains during closing hours. Taxis can be found easily enough around the city, with more than 7,000 taxicabs. The taxis can be identified by the beige or ivory color. The base fare is 3.90 EUR and tourists can hail the taxis from the street, by phone, or via an app. Other transportation such as Ferry, car sharing, and e-scooter is also available.

Tourist Visas in Berlin

The citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Poland, the United States, and Switzerland can enter and stay in Berlin for up to 90 days. Since Germany is a member of the European Union, citizens from other European Union countries do not need to obtain a visa to enter. Citizens of other countries need a Schengen Visa. It is advisable to always check the requirements for Germany Visa Application before applying.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the euro (EUR). 1 USD is equivalent to 0.81 EUR.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can find ATMs almost everywhere within the city. Although credit card acceptance is growing, remember that cash is king in the city. Therefore, it is best to always carry some cash. Note that it is considered rude to leave a tip on the table. You should tell the server the total amount you want to pay. For a good restaurant service, a 10% tip is acceptable. For taxis, tourists can tip 10%, rounding to a full euro.
3. Local Language: German is the official language. Most people in the city will speak English, in hotels, restaurants, and shops.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Over 60% of Berlin’s population has no religious affiliation, while 30% identified as Christian.
5. Public Holidays: As most of German, Berlin celebrates major Christian religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas.