Professor Moshe (Erwin) SantoHead of the Institute for the Treatment of Digestive System and Liver Diseases
Every year, hundreds of foreign tourists come to Israeli clinics for pancreatic treatment. They are attracted by the high speed of diagnosis and the good equipment of clinics with modern medical devices.
At the Top Ihilov center, a complete patient examination usually concludes within three to four days, after which the patient is referred for treatment. The clinic's doctors use modern medications and various types of surgical operations, while the cost of pancreatic treatment in Israel is significantly lower than in European or American hospitals.
Pancreatic Treatment in Israel — Modern Methods
Israeli specialists mainly encounter inflammatory and cancerous diseases of the pancreas. In each specific case, the set of therapeutic procedures varies.
Pancreatitis
In the treatment of acute forms, therapy is aimed at alleviating symptoms and preventing complications. Pain syndrome is relieved with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications. A special diet is also prescribed during the exacerbation period. If dehydration is present, parenteral therapy with solutions is conducted.
Chronic forms of the disease are treated using conservative therapy methods and surgery. The main efforts of doctors are directed at eliminating the causes that provoke inflammation of the pancreas. Strong analgesics, medications that prevent calcification of the gland's tissues, and antioxidants may be used to alleviate symptoms.
Metabolic disorders are corrected by introducing digestive enzymes, which are taken orally with food.
Surgical methods for treating chronic pancreatitis may involve resection of part of the gland or its drainage. Typically, such procedures are performed in the presence of pseudocysts, fistulas, ascites, or obstruction of the bile ducts.
Malignant Tumours
The therapy of malignant neoplasms is handled by a team of doctors with various specializations — including oncologists, surgeons, and chemotherapists.
The primary method for treating tumours of this type is surgical. The most commonly performed operation is called the "Whipple procedure." It involves the removal of the head of the gland, part of the small intestine, the gallbladder, and part of the bile ducts. In some cases, partial removal of the stomach is also performed. After the operation, the bile ducts and the remaining part of the pancreas are connected to the small intestine, allowing the enzymes and hormones produced by the gland to continue entering the body.
A distal pancreatectomy may also be performed — the surgical removal of the body and tail of the gland. In some cases, a splenectomy, partial removal of the stomach and intestine, and removal of the left adrenal gland and left kidney are conducted simultaneously.
In total pancreatectomy, the gland is completely removed along with parts of other organs and lymph nodes. After such an intervention, the patient requires constant replacement therapy using digestive enzymes and periodic insulin administration, as the pancreas is responsible for producing these substances.
Typically, after surgery, the patient is prescribed a course of systemic chemotherapeutic agents based on antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, and pyrimidine antagonists. Chemotherapy may also be administered before surgery, which allows for the reduction of the neoplasm size to operable levels. Usually, the course of medications consists of several cycles and can last for several weeks.
Medical Procedures
- Surgical methods for treating gastrointestinal organs
Diagnostics
Our clinic specialists will be happy to conduct a remote consultation for you and provide more detailed information about the available types of diagnostics. Such consultations are conducted via Skype — you stay at home while the doctor is in the office. You will be able to get answers to all your questions, and upon arrival at the clinic, you will have your first in-person consultation with a doctor for free. A complete examination at the clinic takes up to three to four days.
First Day — Consultation
A clinic staff member will pick you up from the airport and take you to the hospital, assuming full support responsibilities — they will translate your medical documents, coordinate with doctors, and assist with everyday issues. At the hospital, you will have a consultation with a specialist, including a physical examination and the assignment of comprehensive instrumental and laboratory tests.
Second Day — Investigations
Depending on the disease, the list of diagnostic procedures may vary.
- Computed tomography or MRI.
- PET-CT.
- Ultrasound examinations (including endoscopic).
- Testing levels of amylase, lipase, hemoglobin, immunoglobulin, and other specific substances.
- Retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
- Fine-needle aspiration and histopathological analysis (in some cases).
- Tests for tumour biomarkers (e.g., CA19-9)
Third Day — Consultation
On the third day of the examination, a consultation of doctors is convened, which includes several specialized experts. The doctors determine the type of disease and select a treatment program. The patient may also participate in the consultation, and their opinion in choosing treatment procedures (especially surgical operations) is decisive.
How Much Does Pancreatic Treatment Cost in Israel
The cost of pancreatic treatment in Israel is considered quite acceptable by medical tourists from the United States and leading EU countries, as well as patients from Ukraine, Russia, and other CIS countries. For comparison, in an Israeli hospital, you can save at least 30-40% of your budget compared to treatment in Germany or the USA.
Advantages of Our Clinic
- Specialists with unique experience in the effective therapy of a wide range of pancreatic diseases. Many of our doctors have clinical experience exceeding 20-30 years and are world-class experts.
- Examinations in the hospital are conducted using high-tech equipment, allowing doctors to determine the specifics of the clinical picture and establish a diagnosis in a short time.
- Modern types of therapy allow for the successful treatment of any gland diseases, from acute inflammation to malignant neoplasms.
- During the examination and treatment, the patient receives free assistance from a personal curator. The comfortable hospital rooms resemble those of luxury hotels. The clinic staff is responsive and friendly.
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