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Thomas Gottschalk has been battling cancer for four months. The moderator said this at the weekend “Picture” and at the same time explained his confusing appearances at two award ceremonies,
Specifically, the showmaster is dealing with epithelioid angiosarcoma. This is a very rare type of cancer that originates in the blood vessels and is very aggressive – i.e. has a high tendency to metastasize.
Gottschalk had part of his ureters and bladder removed in a seven-hour operation. He has been taking strong painkillers (opioids) for some time, which he says also have an impact on his mental state.
Epithelioid angiosarcoma: development, frequency, treatment
Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a rare subtype of angiosarcoma that originates in the cells of the blood and lymph vessels (i.e. the endothelial cells). Only extremely rarely does it affect internal organs. According to statistics, angiosarcomas only make up around one to two percent of soft tissue sarcomas. There are only a few cases per million cancers, Gottschalk’s epithelioid subtype affecting the bladder is even rarer.
The moderator was operated on by Professor Jürgen E. Gschwend from the Technical University of Munich, a specialist in procedures on the urinary bladder and prostate. He told “tz” that immediate action had to be taken in Gottschalk’s case. “The time factor is particularly important in this type of cancer.”
Gschwend continues: “It is important that the tissue affected by cancer cells is completely removed. That is why in some cases another operation is necessary to be really sure that everything has been caught.”
33 radiation treatments for Thomas Gottschalk after surgery
Gottschalk and his wife Karina confirmed two operations and a total of 33 radiation treatments after the procedures. “Unfortunately, there remains a not insignificant risk of recurrence with this type of cancer,” says Professor Gschwend. “In order to detect such a so-called relapse in good time, close check-ups are advisable. They usually take place every eight to twelve weeks.”
The cause of epithelioid angiosarcoma is unknown. All we know is that the growths arise from changes in the DNA of the soft tissue cells, which then lead to rapid cell proliferation. In most cases, cancer occurs late in life. There is an increased risk in some cases after previous radiation therapy or if lymphatic swelling lasts for a long time. Survival rates are usually low but depend on several factors (early location, type of treatment and size).