Biopsy and Histological Studies

Professor Naftali Stern

Endocrinologist

The success of treatment always depends on how accurately the diagnosis is established. That is why specialists at the Top Ihilov Medical Center use only the most modern and informative diagnostic methods in their practice, allowing for the accurate identification of any diseases even at the earliest stages of their progression and establishing their nature with 100% accuracy. The most valuable of these, especially when oncology is suspected, is a biopsy – a procedure that involves taking a small fragment of pathologically altered tissues for subsequent histological and cytological examination.

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30%

of diagnoses made in CIS countries are refuted at the Top Ihilov clinic

1230

procedures using the modern "da Vinci" system

100%

high-precision diagnostic program

Table of Contents

Features

Stages

Prices

By conducting a comprehensive analysis of the biomaterial obtained in this way, Israeli specialists can determine not only the nature of the tumour, its type and stage of development, but also drug sensitivity. This further allows doctors to develop more effective therapy protocols for patients, significantly increasing the chances of recovery.

Indications for the Procedure

Despite the common belief that a biopsy is performed only when cancer is suspected, the application of this diagnostic method in modern medicine is much broader. Of course, it is most often prescribed for neoplasms (both malignant and benign). This is due to the fact that visual diagnostic methods and blood tests do not always allow for the accurate determination of the exact type of neoplasia and, accordingly, the selection of the optimal treatment strategy.

Biopsy in Israeli clinics can also be performed to verify the following diagnoses:

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• Barrett's esophagus;
• Crohn's disease;
• gastritis;
• ulcer disease;
• liver cirrhosis;
• intestinal polyps;
• vasculitis;
• sarcoidosis;
• endometriosis;
• precancerous conditions of the cervix (erosion, leukoplakia, dysplasia);
• prostate adenoma;
• pyelonephritis;
• amyloidosis and many others.

Additionally, this study can be conducted to monitor the effectiveness of ongoing therapy, as well as directly during treatment. For example, a biopsy of sentinel lymph nodes is performed during the removal of melanoma and breast tumours. Immediately after excising the neoplasm, doctors check the regional lymph nodes for the presence of malignant cells, and if the analysis results are positive, they are also subjected to resection. This helps prevent tumour metastasis and significantly reduces the risks of postoperative cancer recurrence.

How Biopsy is Performed at Top Ihilov

The clinic's specialists have state-of-the-art equipment for conducting a wide range of high-precision studies, including biopsy. This includes the latest models of ultrasound and CT machines used for visual control, and powerful electron microscopes, which laboratory staff use to study the cellular structure of the obtained tissue samples and the specifics of the processes occurring within them. Top Ihilov doctors strive to interpret the diagnostic results as quickly as possible. Typically, this takes no more than 3-4 days, after which the patient receives an expert conclusion indicating the final diagnosis and individual recommendations regarding further treatment.

Depending on the localization of the pathological focus, the biopsy may be performed either through percutaneous access, via small punctures or incisions on the body, or endoscopically – through natural openings of the body (for example, through the mouth during esophagoscopy or gastroscopy). To ensure the procedure is painless, local anesthesia is used.

By the method of obtaining biomaterial, the following types of biopsy are distinguished:

• Aspiration. The most gentle and practically painless method, involving the collection of samples of pathologically altered tissues by suction using a special syringe or vacuum aspirator. Most often, this method is used for endometrial biopsy, mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, ovarian tumours, breast, and thyroid.
• Puncture. The study is performed using a special hollow needle with a cutting end, which is inserted into the affected organ through a small puncture. Due to its minimal invasiveness, the procedure is almost painless. The main indications for puncture biopsy include benign and malignant tumours of the lungs, liver, soft tissues, kidneys, lymph nodes, breast, and prostate.
• Surgical. In some cases, doctors can obtain a fragment of the tumour only by performing partial or complete excision. Both incisional and excisional surgical biopsy at Top Ihilov are performed using modern minimally invasive techniques that exclude significant damage to healthy tissues and, accordingly, are associated with minimal risks for patients.

Subsequently, the samples of biomaterial obtained by any of the listed methods undergo special processing: they are placed in special solutions, dehydrated, and impregnated with paraffin or other substances. The next stage is cytological or histological examination – in Israel, immunohistochemistry is often additionally performed, allowing for even greater accuracy in establishing diagnoses and predicting the effectiveness of subsequent therapy. Each of these analyses pursues different goals:

• Cytology. Involves studying the structural features of cells. Based on their microscopic analysis, doctors can identify inflammatory processes and determine their exact causes, establish the degree of differentiation of tumours, monitor the dynamics of disease treatment, and more.
• Histology. In this case, not the cells, but tissue sections are examined. Histology in Israel provides answers to the following questions: the nature of the neoplasm, the prevalence of the tumour process, the presence of background pathological changes. It is also conducted for the diagnosis of non-tumour diseases.
• Immunohistochemistry. Today, it is considered one of the most accurate methods for diagnosing oncology. The advantage of immunohistochemical studies is that they allow not only for the accurate determination of the diagnosis but also for identifying the sensitivity of the neoplasm to various anticancer drugs. Immunohistochemistry is particularly valuable when selecting targeted therapy.

How Much Does a Biopsy Cost in Israel

Advantages of Biopsy at Top Ihilov

• Highly qualified and experienced specialists.
• Shortest diagnostic turnaround – no more than three to four days.
• 100% accuracy of results.
• Use of the most advanced technologies for obtaining biomaterial and its further study.
• Affordable biopsy prices – in Israel, compared to the USA and Western Europe, it costs 25-45% less.
• Comfortable accommodation conditions and personal curator-translator support.

To consult with a clinic representative, simply fill out the application form on the website. We will call you back within 30 minutes.