The portal uses cookies to provide service functions such as “Bookmark” and to improve website usage. Information and opt-out options can be found in the cookie settings in the privacy policy.

Search
Man lying on his back in a narrow, brightly lit tube for an MRI scan.

Conditions Cancer

“Cancer” refers to diseases in which the body’s cells become malignant, meaning that they multiply uncontrollably, penetrate healthy tissue, and destroy it. They often form a tumor at the cancer site. Growths in other areas of the body are called metastases. This section enables you to find out more about the various types of cancer and the treatment options.

Cancer

Cancer screening: patient undergoing mammography screening. A doctor is standing next to the woman. She is conducting the examination. The X-ray of a breast is visible on a screen. Cancer screening: patient undergoing mammography screening. A doctor is standing next to the woman. She is conducting the examination. The X-ray of a breast is visible on a screen.

Early detection of cancer: what screening is available?

With screening, cancer or certain cancer precursors can be detected before they cause symptoms. The chances of healing thus often improve.

Lung cancer: doctor holding an X-ray of a lung in both hands. Lung cancer: doctor holding an X-ray of a lung in both hands.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Around 57,000 people get lung cancer every year in Germany.

Thyroid cancer: patient lying on a hospital trolley bed (gurney). A doctor is sitting in front of her and taking an ultrasound scan of her thyroid gland. The doctor is examining the ultrasound image on a monitor. Thyroid cancer: patient lying on a hospital trolley bed (gurney). A doctor is sitting in front of her and taking an ultrasound scan of her thyroid gland. The doctor is examining the ultrasound image on a monitor.

Thyroid cancer

A thyroid carcinoma is a rare form of cancer. Most forms of thyroid cancer are slow-growing and can usually be treated successfully by surgery.

Prostate cancer: older man sitting in a hospital bed. He is looking down, a nurse is sitting opposite him. She is looking at him and taking a blood sample. Prostate cancer: older man sitting in a hospital bed. He is looking down, a nurse is sitting opposite him. She is looking at him and taking a blood sample.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. Around 60,000 men get prostate cancer every year in Germany.

A doctor examines the X-ray of a woman’s breast on a screen. A doctor examines the X-ray of a woman’s breast on a screen.

Breast cancer

In Germany, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women, with around 70,000 women getting it every year. In many cases, breast cancer can be very effectively treated.

A hand holding a drawn syringe. A woman’s arm can be seen in the background. A hand holding a drawn syringe. A woman’s arm can be seen in the background.

Cervical cancer

In the past, cervical cancer was a common type of cancer in women. Pap smear screening has made it less common. The HPV vaccine can prevent cervical cancer.

Melanoma: woman sitting in a laboratory. She is wearing a white lab coat and is looking into a microscope. More laboratory colleagues are visible in the background. Melanoma: woman sitting in a laboratory. She is wearing a white lab coat and is looking into a microscope. More laboratory colleagues are visible in the background.

Melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma skin cancer is a commonly occurring malignant tumor of the skin. In Germany, about 23,000 people develop melanoma annually. Melanoma responds well to treatment if detected early.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): doctor sitting at his desk having a discussion with an older man and a woman. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): doctor sitting at his desk having a discussion with an older man and a woman.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is an “indolent” (slow-growing) form of lymphoma. In most cases there are no symptoms at the outset and it therefore is often detected by chance.

A doctor standing next to a man sitting up in a hospital bed. A doctor standing next to a man sitting up in a hospital bed.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in Germany. Each year, approximately 58,000 men and women are diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Pancreatic cancer: ultrasound scan of a human pancreas. Pancreatic cancer: ultrasound scan of a human pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer

About 20,000 people in Germany develop pancreatic cancer each year. The tumor is often detected very late and so the chances of recovery are accordingly unfavorable.

A middle-aged woman in a headscarf hugs a young girl. A middle-aged woman in a headscarf hugs a young girl.

Acute lymphocytic leukemia in adults

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is caused by uncontrolled reproduction of immature white blood cells in the body. This is a serious disease that requires immediate medical treatment.

Acute myeloid leukemia in adults: surgeon standing in an operating room in surgical clothing. A patient is lying draped on the operating table in front of him. He is having bone marrow removed by a syringe. The doctor is monitoring the procedure. Acute myeloid leukemia in adults: surgeon standing in an operating room in surgical clothing. A patient is lying draped on the operating table in front of him. He is having bone marrow removed by a syringe. The doctor is monitoring the procedure.

Acute myeloid leukemia in adults

Acute myeloid leukemia is due to uncontrolled reproduction of immature blood cells in the bone marrow and body. It requires urgent treatment. Treatment in adults and children usually differs.

Stomach cancer: man holding his abdomen with both hands. He appears to be in severe pain. Stomach cancer: man holding his abdomen with both hands. He appears to be in severe pain.

Stomach cancer

Stomach cancer is a malignant tumor condition of the gastric mucosa. In most patients, the tumor originates from the pancreatic ducts of the gastric mucosa.

Rare types of cancer: older woman lying in a bed. A nurse is sitting next to her holding her hand. They are smiling at each other. Rare types of cancer: older woman lying in a bed. A nurse is sitting next to her holding her hand. They are smiling at each other.

Rare types of cancer

Rare types of cancer include around 200 different types of cancer that are not diagnosed very frequently. Find out more about how these are diagnosed and treated.

Liver cancer: doctor standing in front of an anatomical model of the human body. She has removed the liver from the model and is holding it in both hands. Liver cancer: doctor standing in front of an anatomical model of the human body. She has removed the liver from the model and is holding it in both hands.

Liver cancer

Liver cancer is often only detected at a late stage. As a result, it is often no longer curable. The treatment depends on the stage of the disease.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma: doctor feeling a woman’s throat under her chin. Hodgkin’s lymphoma: doctor feeling a woman’s throat under her chin.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is rare. About 2,500 people get it every year. The majority of those affected can now be cured.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): older man sitting on a chair looking out of the window. He looks thoughtful. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): older man sitting on a chair looking out of the window. He looks thoughtful.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)

Modern therapies have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This article provides more information about the condition and its treatment.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: blood sample with barcode against a white background. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: blood sample with barcode against a white background.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a collective term for about 30 different malignant lymphomas. The exact type of lymphoma determines its treatment.

Cross-section of a human kidney. Cross-section of a human kidney.

Kidney cancer

Kidney cancer is one of the less common types of cancer. Around 15,000 people get kidney cancer every year in Germany.

Womb cancer (uterine or endometrial cancer): doctor holding a model of a uterus in both hands. Womb cancer (uterine or endometrial cancer): doctor holding a model of a uterus in both hands.

Endometrial (womb) cancer

Endometrial (or womb) cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs with approximately 11,000 women being diagnosed each year in Germany.

An older man lying on his back on a gurney as it is pushed along a hospital corridor. An older man lying on his back on a gurney as it is pushed along a hospital corridor.

Bladder cancer

In Germany, almost 31,000 people are newly diagnosed with bladder cancer every year. The treatment given and how the disease develops vary depending on how far the cancer has spread.

Brain tumors: monitor showing several MRI scans of a brain. A man lying in an MRI scanner in the background. Brain tumors: monitor showing several MRI scans of a brain. A man lying in an MRI scanner in the background.

Brain tumors

There are different types of brain tumor. Learn more about the different types, their treatment options and risk factors known of to date.

A woman is holding both hands to her chest. She looks tense, as if she is in pain. A woman is holding both hands to her chest. She looks tense, as if she is in pain.

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a tumor in the esophageal mucosa. There are two common types: adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

Testicular cancer: man sitting in a treatment room. He is looking at a doctor who is sitting opposite him and talking to him. Testicular cancer: man sitting in a treatment room. He is looking at a doctor who is sitting opposite him and talking to him.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor found in men that develops in the testicles. There are two common types – the seminoma and the non-seminoma.

CUP syndrome (cancer with unknown primary origin): patient lying in front of an MRI tube. A doctor is standing behind a glass screen and observing the patient in the background. CUP syndrome (cancer with unknown primary origin): patient lying in front of an MRI tube. A doctor is standing behind a glass screen and observing the patient in the background.

CUP syndrome (cancer of unknown primary)

CUP syndrome is an unusual form of cancer that is detected from secondary/metastatic tumors (metastases). However the primary tumor is not detected and remains unknown.

Gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma: doctor holding the model of a liver with gall bladder in his left hand. He is holding a ballpoint pen in his right hand which he is pointing at the gall bladder. Gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma: doctor holding the model of a liver with gall bladder in his left hand. He is holding a ballpoint pen in his right hand which he is pointing at the gall bladder.

Cancer of the gallbladder and bile ducts

With cancer in the gallbladder and bile ducts, symptoms often only appear when the disease is in an advanced stage. Such tumors are therefore usually only detected late.

Laryngeal cancer: older man clutching his throat with his left hand. A doctor is sitting opposite him holding a tablet in both hands. Laryngeal cancer: older man clutching his throat with his left hand. A doctor is sitting opposite him holding a tablet in both hands.

Laryngeal cancer

Significantly more men than women develop laryngeal cancer. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the main risk factors for the disease.

Vulvar cancer: doctor sitting in a laboratory looking through a microscope. Vulvar cancer: doctor sitting in a laboratory looking through a microscope.

Vulvar cancer

Vulvar cancer is a tumor of the external female reproductive organs. It primarily affects older women but the prevalence among younger women is increasing.

Non-melanoma skin cancer: figure showing section of skin with non-melanoma skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer: figure showing section of skin with non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer is very common in Germany. This type of skin cancer is normally localized and only rarely spreads to other parts of the body. As a result, it is rarely life-threatening.

Sarcomas

Sarcomas are rare tumors. There are over 100 different subtypes of them. Sarcomas occur mainly in soft tissue, but also in bone.

Ovarian cancer: doctor and patient sitting at a table. The doctor is talking to the patient. Ovarian cancer: doctor and patient sitting at a table. The doctor is talking to the patient.

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is often detected only at a late stage. The primary treatment is surgery, usually combined with chemotherapy. Targeted therapies are also possible.

Multiple myeloma: man lying in an MRI tube. Two red lasers are running over his face. Multiple myeloma: man lying in an MRI tube. Two red lasers are running over his face.

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that originates from plasma cells in the bone marrow. With modern therapies, multiple myeloma can usually be effectively treated.

Oral cancer: doctor examining an older man’s mouth. The man has his mouth open wide. The doctor is pressing his tongue down with a wooden tongue depressor and shining a light into his mouth. Oral cancer: doctor examining an older man’s mouth. The man has his mouth open wide. The doctor is pressing his tongue down with a wooden tongue depressor and shining a light into his mouth.

Oral and throat cancer

Oral and throat cancer are tumor diseases that typically originate in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity or throat.