Israeli endocrinologists have extensive experience in the therapy of benign thyroid tumours. The diagnostic cycle here concludes just a few days after the patient's visit to the clinic, and upon establishing an accurate diagnosis, the patient receives a carefully outlined treatment program.
At the Top Ihilov center, highly effective approaches such as minimally invasive partial thyroidectomy, total thyroidectomy, and courses of hormonal medications and treatment with radioactive iodine isotopes are used for the therapy of adenomas.
Treatment Methods
Adenoma is a benign neoplasm of the thyroid gland and represents a nodule or mass, usually of follicular type. If the neoplasm is small, therapy may only be required for cosmetic reasons. In some cases, the tumour is hormonally active, stimulates excessive production of thyroid hormones, and requires treatment even at relatively small sizes. Moreover, adenomas sometimes have a tendency to transform into carcinomas — malignant neoplasms, so it is better to consult a specialist as early as possible to determine the aggressiveness of the tumour and, if necessary, prescribe a course of therapy.
- Surgery
The standard surgical method for treating adenomas is lobectomy along with isthmectomy — resection of the affected lobe of the gland along with the isthmus of the gland (the so-called isthmus). The operation is indicated if the adenoma is localized in one lobe of the gland. Access is achieved through an open incision at the bottom of the neck. The surgeon meticulously separates the arteries, nerves, and other important structures to avoid damaging them, as the accuracy of their actions affects not only the successful removal of the tumour but also the functioning of the vocal cords, parathyroid glands, blood supply to the remaining lobe of the thyroid gland, etc. Upon completion of the resection of the affected part of the gland, the surgical wound is closed using sutures, staples, or adhesive tape. Usually, for several days after this, the patient wears drainage tubes through which the exudate is drained.
In rare cases, resection of the entire gland is required — the operation is called total thyroidectomy. The technique of its performance generally resembles lobectomy (hemithyroidectomy) except that both lobes of the gland are removed instead of just one.
A more modern approach to surgical treatment involves the use of minimally invasive surgeries that do not require large incisions in the neck tissues. Such interventions are associated with less blood loss and less pronounced postoperative pain syndrome, have a low risk of complications, provide improved cosmetic results, and require a shorter hospital stay for the patient.
The first attempts at performing minimally invasive thyroidectomy were made in the late 1990s when treating small benign neoplasms. Today, minimally invasive techniques are widely used for both total thyroidectomy and lobectomy (partial thyroidectomy). All necessary instruments for the surgeon are introduced through small punctures, and the progress of the operation is monitored via images transmitted by a miniature video camera inserted into the tissues through one of these punctures. Specialists at Top Ihilov expertly perform such operations, but the patient must meet several conditions — the size of the adenoma must not exceed three centimeters in diameter, and the total volume of the gland must not exceed 30-50 cubic centimeters; otherwise, endoscopic resection will be challenging.
- Radioactive Iodine
In some cases, therapy with radioactive iodine may be used — this treatment is indicated if the tumour produces an excessive amount of hormones and has a toxic effect. The peculiarity of the thyroid gland is that it accumulates almost all the iodine that enters the body. If ordinary iodine is replaced with its radioactive isotope, the gland will also concentrate it in its tissues, leading to their destruction from the gamma and beta radiation emitted by the isotope. Radioactive iodine preparations are usually taken orally. This therapy leads to complete destruction of the gland tissues, so the patient must subsequently take synthetic analogs of thyroid hormones on a permanent basis.
- Hormonal Therapy
In the treatment of hormonally active adenomas, antithyroid medications that suppress the secretion of thyroid hormones may be used, thereby allowing the symptoms of hyperthyroidism to be alleviated. The course of medications usually lasts for a long time.
Year after year, there is an increase in the flow of patients who decide to go for treatment of thyroid adenoma in Israel, and the feedback they share with other patients upon discharge confirms the effectiveness of the approaches used by Israeli specialists and the high level of equipment in the clinics.
Diagnosis
You can start interacting with the specialists at the Top Ihilov clinic while still at home. Through a video consultation via Skype, you can communicate with an endocrinologist or surgeon at the clinic and learn any details regarding diagnosis and available treatment methods. Then, upon arriving at the clinic, you will be able to have your first consultation with a doctor completely free of charge.
First Day — Consultation
Upon meeting at the airport with the translator-coordinator provided by the clinic, you will head for a consultation at Top Ihilov. The coordinator will assist you later as well — translating your medical documents, coordinating with doctors, etc.
Second Day — Investigations
- Physical examination.
- Thyroid hormone level tests.
- Ultrasound examination of the gland.
- Fine needle biopsy.
- Scanning using iodine radioisotopes.
Third Day — Medical Council
The doctors in the medical council determine the exact type of tumour and select treatment procedures at the final stage of diagnosis.
Treatment of Thyroid Adenoma in Israel – Prices
Among the attractive aspects that treatment of thyroid adenoma in Israel offers to foreign patients, the cost of procedures holds a special place. Israeli clinics provide you with the opportunity to save significantly — compared to hospitals in Italy and the UK, the USA and Norway, the course of therapy here costs 40-45% less.
| Type of Service | Prices |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | from $1680 |
Advantages of Top Ihilov
- Endocrinologists and surgeons with immense clinical experience.
- Accelerated diagnostics on modern equipment.
- The most comprehensive range of effective methods — from minimally invasive surgeries to radioiodine therapy.
- Personalized selection of treatment procedures, personal translator-coordinator, friendly and attentive attitude from medical staff.