Surgery is usually recommended for tumors that can be removed with an acceptable risk of nerve injury or spinal cord damage. The procedure is performed under general anesthetic and your surgeon will try to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Sometimes, radiation therapy or chemotherapy is used with or instead of surgery if the tumor is located in areas that cannot be operated on or the tumor is cancerous. High powered energy beams are used to kill cancer cells in radiation therapy, while drugs are used to destroy or stop cancer cells from growing in chemotherapy.
You may need to stay in the hospital for about 8 days after the surgery, but you should aim to stay in Munich for at least 14 more days. If you undergo therapy, your length of stay is determined by the number of cycles needed for your case.
Recovery from spinal cord tumor treatments may take weeks or months, but you should be able to return to work within 6 to 8 weeks. With therapy, you should be able to return to most of your activities within 1-2 days or when you do not experience any symptoms that interfere with your ability to work.
Your doctor will give you a set of instructions that you need to follow, which may include diet, restrictions, and exercises. It is really important to eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains as well as getting enough sleep. Make sure you schedule follow-up checkups either with your local doctor or your doctor back home so they can monitor your condition.
Spinal cord tumor treatment is effective, successful, and safe. However, the success rate depends on how early the treatment is performed. It is important to get informed about the side effects and risks, which include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and hair loss.
If you have small tumors that are not growing or pressing on nearby tissues, your doctor may recommend careful watching by getting periodic MRI or CT scans to monitor your tumor. Another alternative is acupuncture, but this procedure is only used to relieve symptoms instead of curing cancer.
Spinal cord tumors can be dangerous, cancerous, cause uncomfortable symptoms, and life-threatening. After treatments, you should not feel the symptoms you experienced before and your life may be prolonged. Treatments may even put you in remission, meaning there are no cancer cells detected in your body anymore.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers. This content was last updated on 25/02/2023.
Munich is the largest city in Southern Germany and it is one of a few places on earth where traditional and modern sit side by side, with its royal palaces and high-tech cars. Known as the ‘city of art and beer,’ this city is famous for its annual beer festival known as Oktoberfest. What most people do not realize is that Munich is also one of the world’s most famous medical tourism destination. Thanks to the famous German education system that creates skilled specialists, as well as state-of-the-art medical centers that invest in the latest medical technology, medical tourism in this city is a booming business that continues to grow at a fast rate. International patients usually travel to the city for quality rather than the price.
Munich boasts a beautiful historic center, amazing German food, large parks and gardens, and beer halls packed with welcoming people. Visitors can explore numerous historical buildings, such as the Church of St. Peter and Frauenkirche. These two buildings have been around for centuries and are located in Munich’s Old Town. One of the most popular attractions in the city is Alte Pinakothek, which is an important art museum that houses over 800 works from the 14th – 18th centuries from German masters. Those who want to have a picnic, hike, simply relax or even try surfing should visit the English Garden. Other popular places include Dachau Concentration Camp, Nymphenburg Palace, BMW Museum, and Deutsches Museum.
The international airport of Munich is Munich Airport, which is the second-busiest airport in Germany in terms of passenger traffic. It serves international flights from many cities around the world, including Dubai, Bangkok, and Atlanta. Munich has a comprehensive network of public transportation that will take visitors virtually anywhere around the city. The most common transit system is the U-Bahn, which is a fast and easy underground subway system. Buses, trams, and commuter trains are also available and each has a vast network. Taxis are easy to hail, reliable, and safe. However, they are a bit pricey and Uber operates in Munich.
As a member of the Schengen Area, Germany allows citizens of several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Poland to enter and stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries not listed in the visa-free entry need to obtain a visa to visit the country. Always check the requirements for Germany Visa Application before applying.
From June to August is the summer, which is a popular time to enjoy outdoor activities as the temperatures hover around 24°C. On very hot days, the temperatures can reach 30°C. Autumn (September – October) and spring (March-May) has pleasant weather with mild temperatures. Winter can be very cold, with temperatures dropping as low as -10°C.