The main reason why women choose breast cancer treatment in Israel is the high likelihood of preserving the organ. Additional innovative methods of combating the disease can reduce the risk of relapse and shorten the rehabilitation period.
Why patients choose Israel
Medicine in Israel is characterized by the equipment of clinics, the professionalism of doctors, the constant introduction of innovative developments and the conduct of large-scale research work.
The leading directions are:
- orthopedics,
- neurosurgery,
- oncology,
- hematology,
- cardiology,
- obstetrics and gynecology,
- vascular surgery,
- urology,
- plastic surgery.
Based on the feedback from those who have already visited Israeli clinics, we can name the following benefits of medical tourism to the Promised Land:
- Accurate diagnostics. Thanks to the latest equipment, which in most medical institutions is updated every 5 years, it is possible to confirm or deny with maximum accuracy the medical report issued in the patient's home country.
- Application of innovative developments. Israeli clinics are exploring new methods of therapy in the fight against dangerous ailments and use them in the course of treatment.
- Minimally invasive treatment methods. The standard of quality for Israeli doctors is organ preservation with minimal intervention.
- Low rate of medical errors. When in doubt, local specialists do not act blindly, but stick to a collegial decision.
- The opportunity to undergo treatment and rehabilitation in one place. Even if the clinic does not have its own rehabilitation center, you can choose the appropriate sanatorium for which Israel is famous.
The cost of undergoing a course of therapy for various diseases, as well as the cost of breast cancer treatment in Israel, does not differ much from the prices in Europe and the USA.
How is breast cancer diagnosed?
The first stage is a doctor's consultation. After examination, the specialist appoints diagnostic measures, which include:
- mammography;
- Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
- ultrasound-guided biopsy - examination of a tissue sample taken from a tumor;
- PET-CT - allows you to determine the nature of the neoplasm;
- a blood test for tumor markers;
- general blood analysis;
If the pathological process is confirmed, the doctor may prescribe an MRI for a more detailed study of the neoplasm and lymph nodes.
The advantage of Israeli clinics is the equipment for ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET-CT, which can detect even a minimal tumor up to 3 mm in size.
The Laboratory for Experimental Medicine in Israel conducts the Prosigna molecular test, which makes it possible to assess the likelihood of cancer returning within the next 10 years after diagnosis and elimination of the problem.
In the Assuta clinic, a biopsy is performed using the latest Vacuum Assisted Core Biopsy technique - using a thin needle attached to a vacuum apparatus under local anesthesia.
Genetic testing of a malignant neoplasm can detect mutations inherent in different types of cancer. On average, a comprehensive examination takes three to five days.
Breast Cancer Treatment
The protocol for the upcoming treatment is drawn up based on the characteristics of the tumor and the stage of the disease. The presence of targeting equipment makes it possible to act on the tumor pointwise, without touching healthy tissue.
Surgical intervention
Breast cancer treatment in Israel can be carried out through an operation to remove only the tumor and the affected lymph nodes, without affecting most of the breast. The procedure is called "lumpectomy" and is the most gentle. It is prescribed for patients with stage I-II tumors. In addition to the fact that after such an operation, the patient recovers faster and feels less pain, she is not exposed to stress, as with a complete removal of the organ.
Radical surgery (mastectomy) is rarely performed in Israel: doctors do their best to save the breast, or at least the nipple and skin, in order to facilitate the subsequent reconstruction of the mammary gland.
If the tumor is already inoperable or has metastases, in addition to the operation, the woman is prescribed:
- Intraoperative radiotherapy (during surgery) - is aimed at preventing recurrence of tumor development. Radioactive radiation enters the affected cell, destroys its DNA, prevents it from developing. Irradiation is carried out using linear accelerators.
- Chemotherapy - makes it possible to reduce the size of the neoplasia before and after surgery at the microscopic level. The drugs are administered in several stages. The course can take several months.
Electroporation method
Breast cancer treatment in Israel is carried out today using the latest nano-knife technology (IRE - irreversible electroporation). This technique allows you to destroy malignant cells as accurately as possible without harming healthy ones.
The technique is based on the use of short pulses of focused high voltage (about 3000 volts). The impact of the current on the tumor leads to rupture of the cell membrane and, subsequently, to its complete destruction.
The nano-knife is used even for inoperable stages of cancer. The destruction of tumor cells can be carried out even in the immediate vicinity of blood vessels and important anatomical structures.
Breast reconstruction
If the patient has undergone a radical mastectomy, she may take the opportunity to install a prosthesis that is visually difficult to distinguish from a real breast. There are two types of such operations:
- one-stage - is the final stage of the removal of the mammary gland. Advantages: anesthesia is administered only once, the ability to maintain exact symmetry.
- delayed - performed no earlier than 4 months after resection or mastectomy. It is used in cases when a course of radiation therapy is required after the operation.
For plastic surgery, the tissues of the broadest back muscle are used, as well as fat and skin from the patient's abdomen, breast implants. This operation is called endogenous.
If an artificial prosthesis is used, the operation is called arthroplasty.
Follow-up after surgery in the hospital takes 3 to 7 days.
Prevention and rehabilitation after treatment
To prevent the development of cancer in the future, Israeli specialists use the following techniques:
- Hormone therapy - This type of treatment is aimed at stopping the production of progesterone and estrogen, which affect the processes in the breast.
- Radiation therapy - used pointwise, in the place where the tumor was located. Most often, the mammary gland is exposed to radiation, sometimes - the axillary region. The standard course includes 25 procedures: 5 sessions per week for 5 weeks. In the early stages of the disease, thanks to linear accelerators, it is possible to reduce the duration of the course to three weeks.
The complex of rehabilitation measures in Israeli hospitals is carried out in an atmosphere of complete coziness and comfort. Psychologists must work with patients to help them get out of a stressful state.
You can choose one of the Dead Sea resorts for anti-stress therapy. The following are very popular:
- Tiberias (Tiberias) - there are about 30 health resorts located around Lake Kinneret.
- Neve Zohar is a balneological resort that uses the Dead Sea water, thermal and mineral springs, and clean air for treatment.
- Ein Bokek is a city on the shores of the Dead Sea.It has a large number of clinics with their own balneological centers.
How to organize your trip
Those who intend to undergo a course of treatment in Israel need to decide whether to organize the trip on their own or through an intermediary firm. Certain advantages can be obtained in either case.
The mediator will take care of all the issues related to the preparation of documents, choosing a clinic, buying tickets and booking a hotel, if you are going to travel with an accompanying person. But such a range of services will result in additional costs.
To save money, you can approach the organization on your own. In this case, you must adhere to the following scheme:
- Choosing a clinic or doctor.
- Sending a request to a medical institution with a full package of documents (medical history, doctor's opinion, results of previous studies). The need to translate documents into Hebrew should be clarified at the clinic.
- Receipt of confirmation and cost estimate from the clinic.
- Payment of the bill (this point needs to be clarified, since not all clinics take an advance payment).
- Purchase of air tickets.
- Accommodation booking for accompanying persons.
Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians will not need a visa to the Israeli state if the stay does not exceed 90 days in one half of the year.
How much does the treatment cost?
To roughly understand what the budget will need, you need to know how much breast cancer treatment in Israel costs. The amount will depend on various factors:
- which clinic will be chosen;
- what the diagnosis will include;
- which treatment method will be chosen;
- whether reconstruction of the organ is expected;
- whether you need a hospital stay.
Do not forget that the amount may increase if the process is supervised by a world-renowned doctor (premium for competence). For convenience, the approximate prices for the treatment of breast cancer in Israel are given in the table (excluding the attending physician's fee):
| Service | Price in USD |
|---|---|
| Biopsy material | 2000-2300 |
| Breast plastic surgery with asymmetry correction in 2 stages | 7500-24500 |
| Removal of the tumor while preserving the organ | 6500-9000 |
| MRI | 700-900 |
| Consultation with an oncologist | 500-600 |
| Ultrasound | 100-350 |
| Mammography | 250-400 |
| Sectoral mastectomy | 3000-6000 |
| Chemotherapy course | from 1200 |
| PET-CT | 1400-2000 |
Many clinics provide a comprehensive diagnostic program, the cost of which can range from $ 3,800 to $ 4,900.
Choosing a medical institution
When planning a trip, patients try to choose the best clinics in Israel for the treatment of breast cancer. And this is quite justified, since many hope not only to get rid of the tumor, but also to preserve the organ. It should be noted that all hospitals in the country that deal with oncological diseases adhere to the principle of minimally invasiveness and organ preservation. Therefore, it is rather necessary to focus on the ratio of price and quality of services.
Famous clinics in Israel for the treatment of breast cancer:
- The Sourasky Medical Center (formerly the Ichilov clinic) is one of the top three institutions in the country. Located in Tel Aviv. The staff of doctors is 1130 people, 103 of whom are professors. The most sought-after and well-known specialists are oncologist Moshe Inbar and oncologist-surgeon specializing in breast surgery, Shlomo Shneibaum.
- The Hadassah clinic is located near Jerusalem in the city of Ein Kerem. In 2005, the hospital staff was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize on the basis of equal treatment of all patients, regardless of their religion, skin color and citizenship.
- Sheba Clinic is located in the small town of Kiryat Ono. Collaborates with the famous American Cancer Center named after M.D. Anderson. The total number of doctors is 1400 people.
- Beilinson Hospital has one of the best Davidov cancer centers in the country. The therapy is carried out here using the latest linear accelerators, some of which are one of a kind.
Outcomes
Breast cancer refers to diseases that are successfully treated in Israel. The main principle of oncology treatment in this country is the use of minimally invasive techniques and the maximum preservation of the organ. Israeli clinics use the latest diagnostic equipment, which makes it possible to detect even a tumor at an early stage.
