Among oncological diseases of the oral cavity, oncological pathologies of the tongue confidently occupy the second place in terms of frequency. Treatment of tongue tumours in Israel is aimed not only at restoring the patient's health but also at preserving the integrity and functional capabilities of the organ as much as possible. This is why therapy is conducted using organ-preserving gentle methods and innovative drugs that ensure a favorable prognosis and return the patient to normal life. The methods used are characterized by both high effectiveness and safety for the patient.
A precise diagnosis of the disease is of great importance for the success of treatment. According to statistics, identifying and conducting adequate treatment at an early stage of oncological pathology allows for a cure in more than 75-80% of cases. Timely diagnosis is complicated by the fact that, as a rule, painful symptoms do not manifest at the initial stage, and the patient seeks medical help quite late. The most effective treatment methods are selected using molecular genetic tests and the Personalized Oncological Benefit Data-Analysis System computer program. The cost of therapy in Israeli clinics is accessible to medical tourists and is significantly lower than in Europe and the USA.
Current Treatment Methods for the Disease
The choice of treatment methods depends on the stage of the oncological disease, the size of the neoplasm, its molecular characteristics, the extent of the malignant process, and the patient's condition. The therapeutic program includes various types of methods.
Surgical Treatment
This is the primary and most effective method of treatment, regardless of the causes that contributed to the development of the oncological disease and at what stage it was diagnosed. In Israeli clinics, access to the pathological focus is achieved transorally, without the need for incisions. In the early stages, when the tumour is small, organ-preserving minimally invasive techniques are used, allowing for the avoidance of serious postoperative complications and characterized by a short recovery period. Removal of the tongue tumour in such cases is performed using the following methods:
- Laser therapy — the tumour is excised using a laser beam, the action of which causes the destruction of malignant cells. The absence of bleeding during the procedure is ensured by coagulation of blood vessels under the influence of high temperatures.
- HIFU therapy — high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation is an innovative method of anti-tumor therapy based on the occurrence of irreversible damage to pathological cells under the influence of high-frequency ultrasound waves. Ultrasound causes sharp heating and necrosis of cancer cells. The procedure is performed under MRI control.
- Cryodestruction — a minimally invasive technique that allows for the avoidance of full surgical intervention. The essence of the procedure lies in the destruction of malignant cells through freezing under the influence of ultra-low temperatures, caused by treating the neoplasm with liquid nitrogen or argon.
- Thermocoagulation — a procedure during which the pathological focus is destroyed under the influence of high-frequency electric current supplied to the neoplasm using special electrodes.
In late stages, specialists may resort to removing the affected fragment of the tongue or the entire organ (partial or complete glossectomy). When a large neoplasm is detected, especially at the base of the tongue, glossectomy is performed in conjunction with the removal of cervical lymph nodes. When a significant fragment or the entire volume of the tongue is removed, a reconstructive operation is performed to restore swallowing and speech function. In this case, the surgeon uses skin flaps and soft tissues from the patient. Numerous reviews from patients who have undergone treatment confirm the high quality of plastic surgeries and the subsequent rehabilitation program.
Radiotherapy
At stage 1 of the disease, when a small neoplasm is detected, radiotherapy can serve as an independent treatment method. As a rule, radiation is used in conjunction with surgical intervention and chemotherapy. Preoperative radiotherapy aims to reduce the size of the neoplasm and facilitate its subsequent surgical removal. Postoperative (adjuvant) radiotherapy is prescribed to destroy malignant cells that remain after surgical removal of the tumour and to prevent recurrence. Radiotherapy is conducted using the following technologies:
- Brachytherapy (contact radiotherapy) — used to eliminate small neoplasms at early stages of development. The procedure involves introducing a source of radioactive radiation directly into the tumor tissues. The internal radiation of the pathological focus with high doses does not cause damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- External beam radiotherapy — performed on modern equipment that ensures the accuracy of radiation to the pathological focus and minimal negative impact on healthy tissues. IMRT and IGRT technologies are used, allowing modulation of radiation intensity and changing the direction of beams during the procedure, depending on the patient's body position. It is used in late stages of tongue oncological diseases.
Chemotherapy
Most often used in late stages, when a large neoplasm and distant metastatic foci, usually found in lymph nodes, are detected. In such cases, chemotherapy is prescribed as palliative treatment, resulting in the slowing of disease progression and alleviation of painful symptoms. A chemotherapy course may also be prescribed in conjunction with radiotherapy as an alternative to surgical treatment (chemoradiotherapy).
In combination with surgical intervention and radiation, polychemotherapy is conducted using several chemotherapeutic agents. Undergoing chemotherapy before surgery helps reduce the size of the tumour. After surgical removal, chemotherapy is prescribed to destroy malignant cells that remain in the patient's body and to prevent recurrence.
Modern Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
A precise comprehensive diagnosis is conducted to confirm the diagnosis given to the patient in their home country, determine the size, localization, and stage of development of the neoplasm, and the presence of distant metastases. A thorough diagnostic examination takes, on average, three days in Israeli clinics.
Immediately upon arrival at the clinic, the patient is directed to a primary consultation with the treating ENT oncologist. During the appointment, the doctor reviews the medical history, studies the existing results of examinations conducted in the home country, performs a physical examination, and prescribes the necessary tests.
Undergoing prescribed examinations:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- blood test for specific tumor markers;
- molecular genetic testing — constructing a molecular profile, based on which effective drugs are selected for inclusion in the comprehensive treatment program;
- ultrasound of the tongue, neck, and abdominal organs;
- X-ray examination of the lower jaw and chest;
- CT, PET-CT, MRI;
- biopsy of the neoplasm;
- puncture of cervical lymph nodes with subsequent cytological analysis of the obtained tissue samples.
A medical council consisting of the treating ENT oncologist and several narrow-profile specialists reviews the results of the conducted studies and develops an individual comprehensive treatment program based on them.
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The final cost depends on the prescribed diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, the length of the patient's stay in the hospital, and some other factors. In general, the cost of treatment in Israel is 30-50% lower than in clinics of a similar level in Western European countries and the USA.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High level of qualification and many years of experience of doctors.
- Rapid diagnosis on high-tech equipment.
- Use of innovative treatment methods and drugs.
- Selection of the most effective methods for the patient using molecular diagnostics.
- Affordable prices.
Tongue cancer, like other oncological diseases, requires comprehensive therapy at an early stage. Therefore, do not waste time, choose a clinic, and undergo treatment in a country that ranks among the top in the world in the fight against oncology.