Professor Ofer SpielbergHead of the Institute of Hematology and Oncohematology
The high effectiveness of treating lymph node pathologies at the Ichilov clinic is ensured by the synergy of global experience and advanced technologies. Leading specialists use ultra-precise diagnostics to determine the molecular profile of lymphatic system involvement. The application of innovative protocols and personalized therapy schemes allows for excellent results even with complex diagnoses. Such a fundamental approach guarantees high efficacy and creates all conditions for achieving long-term remission.
Comfort during the stay is ensured by meticulously thought-out accommodation conditions that promote calm recovery. The cozy atmosphere of the wards and attentive service minimize stress during treatment. Foreign citizens have the option to use personal assistance for all organizational matters. Such support allows for complete focus on recovery without being distracted by everyday details.
About the Disease
Lymph node pathologies represent various disorders, including inflammatory processes (lymphadenitis), hyperplasia, malignant tumours (lymphomas), and metastases. They arise due to infections, autoimmune reactions, or oncology, manifesting as enlarged nodes.
Causes
- Infections (viral, bacterial, fungal)
- Malignant tumours (lymphomas, metastases)
- Autoimmune diseases
- Allergic reactions
- Vaccination
- Injuries, foreign bodies
- Systemic diseases (sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease)
Symptoms
- Enlargement of lymph nodes
- Pain upon palpation
- Redness of the skin over the node
- Fever
- Weakness, malaise
- Headache
- Weight loss, night sweats
- Fluctuation (in case of purulent)
- Limited mobility of the node
Treatment Methods
At Ichilov, treatment methods for lymph node pathologies are chosen based on the molecular-genetic profile of the tumour, the stage of the disease, and the individual characteristics of the patient's body, which allows for the creation of a therapeutic strategy with maximum potential for long-term remission.
Surgical Removal of Lymph Nodes
In the early stages of the disease, when the pathological process is localized within one or several groups of lymph nodes, surgical intervention becomes the method of choice. The operation can be performed either through open access or using minimally invasive laparoscopic technologies, which reduce tissue trauma and recovery time. The extent of the intervention is determined by the location of the affected nodes and their relationship with surrounding anatomical structures. Modern navigation systems help surgeons accurately identify the boundaries of resection, minimizing the risk of damaging nerve trunks and blood vessels, which is especially important when working in the neck or mediastinum area.
Radiation Therapy
When tumour cells demonstrate high sensitivity to ionizing radiation or surgical removal is technically unfeasible due to the proximity of vital organs, radiotherapy comes to the forefront. The IMRT technology allows for modulating the intensity of the radiation beam so that the maximum dose concentrates precisely in the pathological focus, sparing healthy tissues. The use of real-time visual control systems allows for adjusting the patient's position with millimeter accuracy, so natural body movements – breathing (raising and lowering the chest), heartbeats, as well as peristalsis of internal organs – do not interfere with the procedure.
Systemic Chemotherapy
In cases of widespread disease, when the involvement covers multiple groups of lymph nodes or signs of systemic dissemination are detected, the need for systemic treatment becomes evident. Combinations of cytostatic drugs are selected based on the histological type of the tumour and its molecular characteristics, which enhances the effectiveness of the impact on atypical cells. Schemes may include alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and platinum drugs that disrupt various stages of cell division.
Targeted Therapy
Molecular profiling of the tumour sometimes reveals specific mutations or increased expression of certain proteins, opening the possibility for the use of targeted drugs. These molecules act selectively, blocking signaling pathways necessary for the growth and survival of malignant cells, without affecting normal tissues to the extent of traditional chemotherapy. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and drugs affecting angiogenesis may be prescribed either alone or in combination with other treatment methods.
Immunotherapy
In cases where tumour cells have learned to evade the immune system's surveillance, drugs that restore the body's ability to recognize and destroy atypical elements come to the rescue. Checkpoint inhibitors remove the blockade from T-lymphocytes, allowing them to actively attack the tumour, which is especially effective in certain types of lymphomas. CAR-T cell therapy represents a revolutionary approach, where the patient's own immune cells are genetically modified in the laboratory to enhance their anti-tumour activity and then returned to the body. This method is applied in situations where standard lines of therapy have not yielded the expected results, opening prospects for long-term remission even in complex clinical cases with multiple relapses.
Stem Cell Transplantation
When the disease demonstrates aggressive progression or a relapse occurs after previous treatment, the issue of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be considered. Before the procedure, the patient undergoes high-dose chemotherapy or total body irradiation, which completely destroys pathological cells along with the bone marrow. Then, stem cells collected in advance from the patient or obtained from a compatible donor are introduced, which populate the bone marrow niches and restore normal hematopoiesis. Allogeneic transplantation has the additional advantage of the graft-versus-tumour effect, where donor immune cells recognize and eliminate remaining malignant elements, although this approach carries the risk of rejection and requires careful monitoring at Ichilov.
Radiofrequency Ablation
For isolated metastatic foci in lymph nodes, especially when systemic treatment has already been conducted and surgical intervention is impractical, a method of local destruction of the tumour using high-frequency electromagnetic waves is applied. Under ultrasound or CT control, a thin electrode is inserted into the affected node, through which energy is supplied to heat the tissue to a temperature that causes coagulative necrosis of the cells. The procedure is performed percutaneously under local anesthesia or sedation, making it accessible for patients with contraindications to general anesthesia. This technique is particularly in demand for oligometastatic involvement of the mediastinal or retroperitoneal lymph nodes, allowing for local control without systemic toxicity and with minimal rehabilitation time.
Supportive Therapy
Alongside specific anti-tumour treatment, patients receive a comprehensive set of measures aimed at minimizing side effects and maintaining quality of life. New-generation antiemetic drugs effectively control nausea associated with chemotherapy, while colony-stimulating factors prevent critical drops in blood counts. Nutritional support helps maintain body mass and energy status, which is important for the tolerability of treatment and recovery of the body.
- Stem cell treatment
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery in Israel
- Chemotherapy
- Ablation
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
Correct and timely diagnosis of lymph node pathologies is extremely important: it allows for the precise determination of the cause of enlargement or inflammation, distinguishes benign processes from malignant ones, and selects the optimal treatment strategy. At the Ichilov clinic, all studies are conducted on high-precision modern equipment, and the entire diagnostic plan is formed in advance and executed in the shortest possible time.
First Day
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient immediately meets with the attending physician. The specialist thoroughly collects the medical history, conducts a detailed physical examination, assesses the condition of the lymph nodes, and prescribes a set of studies that allow for a complete picture of the disease.
Second Day
On this day, all necessary diagnostic procedures are performed.
- Complete blood count with leukocyte formula
- Biochemical blood analysis
- Blood test for tumour markers
- Serological tests for infections
- PCR diagnostics
- Ultrasound of lymph nodes
- CT of the neck, chest, and abdomen
- PET-CT (if necessary)
- Lymph node biopsy (fine-needle aspiration or trepanobiopsy)
- Histological and immunohistochemical examination of the biopsy
Third Day
The attending physician gathers a consultative meeting of specialists (oncologists, hematologists, infectious disease specialists, radiologists), at which the results of all studies are discussed. This allows for the formulation of the most accurate and relevant individual treatment plan.
- Computed tomography
- Diagnostics — PET CT
- Ultrasound
- Biopsy and histological studies
- Blood biochemistry
How Much Does Treatment Cost in Israel
The cost of lymph node treatment in Israel is formed based on the volume of diagnostic procedures and the complexity of the therapeutic technologies used. The main expenses include conducting high-precision laboratory tests, molecular-genetic studies, and the use of innovative protocols of the latest generation. Individual characteristics of the body and the stage of the identified pathology determine the choice of specific methods and the duration of the recovery period.
To obtain an accurate price calculation, it is necessary to contact the clinic's consultant at the phone number indicated on the website.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Expert assistance from leading oncologists and diagnosticians of global renown
- Advanced high-tech equipment for ultra-precise tissue visualization
- Innovative methods of biological and targeted therapy for the lymphatic system
- Personalized treatment programs considering the unique profile of the patient
- Comfortable accommodation conditions and a high level of medical service
Even before arriving at the Israeli clinic, there is an opportunity to order a remote online consultation with a specialized expert. As a result of such communication, expert recommendations, comprehensive answers to medical questions, and detailed information about the most modern treatment technologies become available.