Dr. Daniel Kaminski is a board-certified urologist based at the Urology Clinic Wiener Platz in Munich, Germany. With years of experience treating both local and international patients, Dr. Kaminski specializes in advanced diagnostics and therapy for urological and oncological conditions. In this interview, he explains why so many patients from abroad seek medical treatment in Germany, highlights the strengths of the German healthcare system, and shares his thoughts about early detection and new diagnostic techniques in urology.
Dr. Kaminski, could you tell us what types of patients most often come to your clinic?
Many foreign patients come to us for check-ups. Many patients with urological cancer also come to us for specialized medical care after diagnosis in their native country or in our clinic.
Why do you think so many patients from abroad choose to come to Germany?
Unfortunately, patients are often misdiagnosed in their native countries. In my opinion, this is one of the main reasons why so many patients from abroad come to us: people hear from others about numerous cases of misdiagnosis by doctors in their native country, so they don't always trust specialists in their homeland.
We receive many patients from the former CIS countries, mainly from Russia. Of course, due to the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, the number of patients has decreased, but we still have many patients from those regions. We also treat many patients from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and other Arab countries.
What makes German medicine so trusted internationally?
Patients come to Germany because they are confident in the quality of German medicine. The country offers the services of highly qualified physicians with extensive training, which ensures first-class diagnosis and treatment.
Another strong point is the quality of patient care. German hospitals employ well-trained nursing staff, and patients receive comprehensive medical services. Ideally, a patient travels to Germany, undergoes diagnostics, receives treatment without complications, and then returns home. That's the essence of medical care here.
How would you describe the structure of the German healthcare system?
The biggest advantage of German medicine is that all parts of the healthcare system – laboratories, private practices, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers – work as a single, well-structured system. Each component connects perfectly with the others, ensuring accurate and reliable results.
In other countries, even where clinics are modern and well-equipped, parts of the system sometimes fail to interact properly. For example, laboratory diagnostics might be unreliable, which makes proper diagnosis and treatment impossible. In Germany, this interconnected structure guarantees accuracy, speed, and consistency.
Which urological symptoms should prompt a patient to see a doctor?
It depends on the specific field of urology. If a patient experiences burning during urination, blood in the urine, or unexplained flank pain, they should see a doctor immediately.
However, some urological diseases, such as kidney and bladder cancer, prostate cancer, or testicular cancer, often cause no symptoms in the early stages. Testicular cancer can sometimes be detected by palpation when a dense lump forms, but prostate cancer usually develops silently. Therefore, men over 40-45 years old should undergo annual screening.
Is it possible to develop prostate cancer before the age of 45?
Yes, it can occur, though the risk is quite low. Occasionally, aggressive tumors do appear in men under 45, but generally, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases after that age.
Could you describe the advanced diagnostic and treatment methods used in your clinic?
We always use the most advanced diagnostic methods – from laboratory blood tests to urodynamic studies and ultrasound scans. Every few years, we introduce the newest standards in ultrasound diagnostics, such as 3D sonography, elastography, and tools for measuring tissue density and temperature.
Microfocus ultrasound, which provides MRI-like imaging quality, is also available in our clinic. Another innovative technique is the MRI-guided prostate fusion biopsy, combining ultrasound and MRI to detect prostate cancer at an early stage.
We also perform flexible and video cystoscopies, which allow us to examine the bladder in detail. These procedures are painless, performed on an outpatient basis, and provide high-resolution images.
If a patient has already been diagnosed with cancer, why is it important to start treatment quickly?
It depends on the type of cancer. Prostate cancer, for instance, usually grows more slowly, so treatment can sometimes be delayed for 2-3 months. In contrast, bladder or kidney tumors grow faster and can spread quickly, so treatment should begin as soon as possible. Generally, once a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, it's best not to delay therapy.
What advice would you give to patients from abroad considering coming to Germany for treatment?
First, check whether there is a competent specialist in your own country. If so, and that doctor offers multiple treatment options with proven success, it may not be necessary to travel abroad.
If no such specialist is available, then it's wise to research the treatment costs in Germany and contact leading experts in the relevant medical field. It's also important to plan enough time for treatment – patients should not expect to come and leave the next day. With the right preparation, they can receive exceptional care here in Germany.
Do you often encounter cases of misdiagnosis among international patients?
Yes, quite frequently. We've seen patients who were told they had cancer in their native country and were even scheduled for surgery, yet our examinations revealed no malignancy.
Unfortunately, we also encounter the opposite situation, where a benign diagnosis abroad turns out to be a malignant tumor. These cases are one of the main reasons patients choose to come to Germany – they know they'll receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment here.
Thank you, Dr. Kaminski, for this interview and sharing your experience in the field of urology.
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