Professor Issachar Ben Dovleading pulmonologist
The Ichilov Clinic has accumulated many years of experience in the therapy of various types of cancer, including those that are aggressive and grow rapidly, such as lung cancer. Thanks to an innovative approach to diagnostics, oncologists can identify oncopathology within days, determine its individual characteristics, and select the optimal treatment program. As a result of personalized treatment, the tumour is removed, the process of cancer spread throughout the body is halted, and remission is achieved. Doctors at the clinic manage to prevent recurrences in 40% of cases without surgery and maintain organ functionality. Their arsenal includes both traditional, well-established methods and innovative therapeutic techniques. The combination of these methods ensures a stable result, allowing the patient to return to a full life. Reviews of lung cancer treatment in Israel indicate that even in cases where the disease is advanced, it is possible to restore the patient's normal quality of life and achieve remission.
Treatment is conducted by top-category oncologists, doctors with many years of experience who are skilled in new therapeutic techniques. Although the quality of their treatment is as high as in clinics in Germany, Austria, or the USA, the cost of lung cancer treatment in Israel is lower.
Treatment of Lung Cancer in Israeli Clinics: Current Methods
The choice of treatment methods depends on the size of the pathological focus, its location (in the upper bronchial tree or in its lower sections), and the type of cancer cells (small cell or non-small cell). The patient's age and any comorbidities are also taken into account. Typically, several methods are used in combination.
Cryodestruction. In cases where a small neoplasm is found that is clearly localized in the large bronchi, it can be removed in the least traumatic way, which has no complications. Ultra-low temperatures cause instant necrosis of tissues and destroy the small vessels that nourish the neoplasm. Liquid nitrogen is used for the procedure: it is delivered by a special cryoprobe to the site of the pathology and applied very precisely to the tumour.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). This minimally invasive laser therapy method is recognized as effective and safe for healthy bronchial tissues. Before the procedure, a photosensitizing solution is injected into the affected tissues (making the cells hypersensitive to light). This substance accumulates only in the cancer-affected tissues. Then, these tissues are precisely exposed to a laser beam, which literally vaporizes them, destroying the disease focus. No toxic side reactions from the breakdown products of the neoplasm are detected, and the photosensitive substance is eliminated from the body naturally without harm to the patient.
Chemotherapy. Cytostatic drugs are distributed through the bloodstream throughout the body, destroying cancer cells in various parts. If metastasis has already begun or there is a high likelihood of it, systemic chemotherapy is prescribed. Chemotherapy can also be the optimal option to reduce the tumour mass before surgery and make it more resectable, as well as after surgery to prevent recurrence. At Top Ichilov, new generation drugs are prescribed – they have fewer side effects; after a course of chemotherapy, the patient feels better than after taking most other chemotherapeutic agents.
Radiotherapy. Can be applied both at early stages and with extensive spread of bronchopulmonary cancer. For example, before performing surgery to resect the tumour, a course of radiotherapy is prescribed to reduce the size of the neoplasm. After surgery, irradiating the area where the tumour was located allows for the destruction of residual cancer cells. If surgical treatment is not performed due to the impossibility of surgically removing the neoplasm, radiotherapy can serve as the primary means of therapy. The linear accelerators used for sessions at Ichilov are state-of-the-art devices that provide precise radiation targeting.
In addition to traditional radiotherapy, brachytherapy may be used – a method of local irradiation. A microcapsule containing radioactive material is inserted directly into the tissue of the neoplasm. As it decays, it exerts a very precise negative effect on the neoplasm's tissues. After this procedure, the patient may require galvanotherapy (diathermy) – a procedure that restores the lumen of the bronchi by applying high-frequency current to the tissues.
Monoclonal Antibody Treatment. An innovative treatment method, one of the types of targeted therapy – acting on cancer at the cellular level. The monoclonal antibodies in the drugs can identify cancer cells and send a signal to the immune system, allowing an immune response to be formed. Thus, the immune system "learns" to identify and destroy potentially dangerous cells. This method has proven effective in fighting cancer at any stage.
Surgery. The extent of surgical intervention depends on both the size of the neoplasm and its location. Whenever possible, surgeons prefer minimally invasive surgery: instead of a wide chest incision, several small incisions are made. If a positive result cannot be achieved with minimally invasive surgery, an open operation is performed. In cases of small lesions, the organ may be partially preserved by performing a partial resection of the bronchi. In other cases, a bronchiectomy is performed – the removal of the entire affected bronchus.
Diagnostics
The short time frame for diagnostics at the clinic allows for treatment to begin as quickly as possible, which is very important for an aggressive tumour like lung cancer. Diagnostic procedures take only three days.
First day
Consultation with the oncopulmonologist of the clinic.
Second day
Undergoing all necessary examinations:
- Laboratory blood tests (for tumor markers, biochemistry, genetic testing)
- Laboratory urine tests
- Biopsy with subsequent histology (revision of slides may be performed)
- Spiral CT
- PET-CT
- Scintigraphy.
Third day
Establishing an accurate diagnosis based on the conducted analyses and planning treatment. The therapy program is approved at a medical council.
For patients who cannot come for treatment at the clinic, a consultation via Skype can be conducted – to obtain an independent opinion from a doctor. The results of this consultation (the conclusions of the Israeli expert regarding the correctness of the diagnosis and treatment) can be used to improve the quality of treatment in their home country. The doctor from Ichilov also prepares a therapy program that includes the most progressive methods. If after the video consultation the person decides to be treated at Ichilov, the first examination upon arrival will be free.
How much does lung cancer treatment cost in Israel
The cost of lung cancer treatment in Israel is significantly (30-50%) lower than similar therapy in countries such as the USA, Austria, and Germany. The exact cost depends on the stage of the disease and the therapeutic methods chosen to combat it.
Advantages of Treatment at Top Ichilov
- Possibility of 100% diagnostics
- Use of advanced and effective types of therapy
- Most gentle nature of treatment
- Highly qualified oncologists
- Moderate price.
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