Israeli oncology is rightly considered one of the most advanced in the world. Experienced specialists, skilled in the most promising techniques and modern technologies, achieve impressive results even in advanced stages of oncological pathologies. Thanks to innovative therapy methods, diseases such as hepatoblastoma no longer sound like a death sentence.
Doctors at the Ichilov clinic successfully tackle the most complex challenges, giving young patients the opportunity to live a full life. Today, Israel is one of the most popular medical destinations for patients with oncological diagnoses. And the Ichilov clinic is one of the most authoritative clinics, providing qualified medical assistance to the highest standards, as evidenced by numerous patient reviews.
Treatment Methods for Hepatoblastoma in Israel
There are several methods for treating liver tumours. Hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma are treated differently. Although both tumours require complete surgical removal for successful treatment, they respond differently to chemotherapy. Hepatoblastoma responds well to chemotherapy, while the primary treatment method for hepatocellular carcinoma is surgical.
Surgery
Surgical removal of the tumour is a crucial component of successful treatment for liver tumours. The surgery involves removing the tumour and part of the liver where cancer cells have been found. If cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body, surgical intervention may also remove tumours from those areas. The most common sites of liver cancer spread are the tissues surrounding the liver, lungs, or brain. At the Ichilov clinic, preference is always given to gentle, minimally invasive organ-preserving surgeries.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy is administered before surgery to shrink the tumour so that it can be surgically removed, or after surgery to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. While hepatoblastoma usually responds very well to chemotherapy, hepatocellular carcinoma is very resistant to chemotherapy. Various combinations of cisplatin, vincristine, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin are used.
Chemioembolization
Sometimes, when systemic (through the bloodstream) chemotherapy does not work, chemioembolization is used as a treatment. This means that chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the tumour. In the case of liver cancer, chemotherapy drugs and embolic agents (treatments that block or slow blood flow to the tumour) are injected into the main artery that supplies blood to the liver. This prevents nutrients from reaching the tumour and gives chemotherapy drugs more time to destroy cancer cells.
Diagnosis of the Disease
To ensure that diagnostic procedures can be carried out promptly and thus reduce the patient's stay in the clinic, and therefore their expenses, the entire diagnostic process is planned in advance, even before the visit to the Ichilov clinic, and usually takes only three days.
First Day
The first day at the clinic is dedicated to a medical examination and consultation with the attending physician. The doctor will clarify the child's symptoms, review medical documents obtained from the place of residence, examine the child, paying special attention to the abdomen, and then order additional tests.
Second Day
All types of examinations are conducted on the second day, which may include:
- Blood tests. These tests can reveal signs of disease. They check for blood clotting issues, liver and kidney function, tumor markers, genetic problems, etc.
- Ultrasound (US) examination. Sound waves are used to create images. This may be one of the first tests used to examine the liver.
- Computed tomography. A series of X-rays and a computer are used to obtain images of the body. This can be done to look at the blood vessels in the liver.
- MRI. Large magnets, radio waves, and a computer are used to obtain detailed images of the inside of the body. This can also be done to look at the blood vessels in the liver.
- Tumour biopsy. A sample of the tumour is taken and examined under a microscope for cancer cells. A biopsy is necessary for the diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. The biopsy can be performed using a needle or surgically.
Third Day
After receiving all examination results, the leading physician gathers a consultation. The doctors collectively verify the diagnosis, determine treatment methods, and communicate the overall prognosis. Accompanying patients may attend the discussion of the clinical case and ask questions.
How Much Does Hepatoblastoma Treatment Cost at Ichilov
The Ichilov clinic offers foreign patients an optimal price-to-quality ratio for medical services. The cost of services is approximately 30% lower compared to European countries. At the same time, the level of medical care and treatment effectiveness is considered one of the highest in the world. For this reason, many patients prefer Israeli medicine.
The Ichilov clinic does not require advance payments from patients; payment can be made in installments – for each individual procedure, which is not possible in other countries. The exact cost of treatment will be communicated by the doctor after the examination results, when the full scope of necessary measures is clear. The preliminary cost can be learned by consulting with the contact center physician.
How to Schedule Treatment
To undergo a comprehensive examination and treatment at the Israeli Ichilov clinic, simply follow three easy steps:
- Leave a request with the coordinator in the chat window or request a callback.
- Agree on the date and preliminary program for examination and treatment.
- Leave the organizational issues to your personal case manager.
Advantages of Hepatoblastoma Treatment in Israel
- The Ichilov clinic forms a special team of specialists to meet the needs of children with hepatoblastoma, including: doctors specializing in pathology (diagnosing based on the examination of tumour tissue under a microscope) and radiation therapy; specialists in diagnostic imaging and nuclear medicine; genetic counselors; dietitians; psychologists; nurses; and many others.
- Gentle surgery is an important part of hepatoblastoma treatment. The expert skills and experience of our surgeons help improve patients' chances of a better outcome.
- The Ichilov clinic has access to new "experimental" drugs that can be used if the cancer returns or becomes resistant to initial treatment. In some cases, they can help where other therapy methods are ineffective.
If your child shows signs of the disease, seek consultation today. Our medical consultants will do their best to help you choose the best oncologist and resolve all organizational issues related to treatment in Israel.