When an enchondroma is detected, it is important to seek the opinion of a doctor whose competence is beyond doubt. In some cases, surgery is mandatory, while in others, doctors simply monitor the development of the benign tumour without resorting to therapy. Such a serious question as the necessity or lack thereof of surgery can only be resolved by a highly qualified orthopaedic surgeon. Such specialists work at the Top Ihilov clinic. Their conclusions about the severity of the disease are based on the results of high-precision diagnostics, which eliminate errors. Treatment plans for patients at the clinic are based on international protocols, and orthopaedic doctors use progressive therapy methods.
It is also important that the clinic has created comfortable conditions for patients of all ages. The patient and their relatives do not feel that they are left to their own devices: a case manager accompanies them to procedures, introduces them to doctors and other staff, and suggests how to make good use of their free time away from treatment. Even before arrival, a clinic staff member contacts the client and helps resolve all everyday issues regarding accommodation. Almost all patients are satisfied with how the treatment of enchondroma in Israel went: reviews about the professionalism of the doctors at the Top Ihilov clinic are very positive.
This type of benign tumour most commonly develops in children and adolescents, with the peak incidence occurring between the ages of 11 and 16. Timely treatment of enchondroma in Israel allows young people to lead a full life in the future.
Treatment methods for enchondroma in Israel
The choice of therapy tactics primarily depends on the location of the tumour. If it is localized in a short tubular bone (finger phalanges, foot), the risk of it turning malignant is minimal. Therefore, as a rule, treatment of enchondroma without surgery in Israel consists of periodic examinations and regular assessments of the affected area. However, if the enchondroma is located in long tubular bones (humerus, forearm, femur, tibia) or flat bones (scapula, pelvis), specialists recommend its removal. Timely removal of the enchondroma helps avoid its degeneration into malignancy, compression of internal organs, or pathological fractures. Generally, after the removal of the enchondroma, it does not recur.
Surgical removal of enchondroma
The methods of treating enchondroma in Israel surgically are chosen based on the size of the tumour and the bone in which it is located. The tumour grows inside the bone, so the surgeon's task is to open the bone and remove the neoplasm.
Curettage is a procedure in which the tumour is scraped out without removing part of the bone. The surgeon drills a hole in the bone and removes the tumour through it. A special medical filler - bone graft or bone cement - is placed in the cavity left after the removal of the neoplasm. The latter, upon hardening, generates a lot of heat, thereby destroying any remaining tumour cells.
Cryosurgery. This method is a gentle type of bone resection, improves the treatment outcome of enchondroma, and eliminates recurrence. The process consists of four stages: the first provides access to the tumour, the second involves resection of the segment affected by the tumour, the third stage involves the installation of a cryoagent in the bone wound, and the final stage involves the plastic surgery of the bone defect.
Although the recurrence of enchondroma is very rare, it can still happen. The reformation of this benign tumour increases the risk of its malignancy, so Israeli doctors also perform extended (ablative) resections in this case. Even before the tumour transforms into malignancy, an extended ablative resection is performed: the tumour is removed along with nearby tissues, followed by a bone tissue transplant.
For bone augmentation, Israeli surgeons use either the patient's own bone tissue taken from areas where bone formation occurs rapidly (for example, from their femur, rib, or skull vault) or donor material. During the transplantation, the created hole in the bone is closed with an implant, and the area around it is sprinkled with pieces of natural bone. The transplant initiates the biological stimulation process for bone tissue restoration. The operation is performed under general anesthesia.
If, as a result of the surgical intervention, there is a shortening of the limb, Israeli surgeons perform its lengthening using the Precice system. This is a more progressive method of leg lengthening compared to the Ilizarov apparatus. The patient is implanted with a single central implant in the medullary canal of the bone. The length of the implant can be changed without surgical intervention, using a magnetic field.
If the disease is accompanied by pathological fractures, surgical intervention is performed after the fracture treatment.
Diagnosis of enchondroma in Israel
To determine which treatment method to choose in this specific case, a thorough diagnosis of the disease is conducted at the Top Ihilov clinic. The entire range of diagnostic procedures is carried out as quickly as possible: the clinic has a laboratory that uses the most modern diagnostic equipment. Typically, doctors need only three days of the patient's stay in Israel to obtain a clear picture of the disease and develop an optimal treatment plan.
First day
The day of arrival in Israel. The patient and their accompanying persons are met at the airport by a clinic representative who speaks Russian. On this day, they meet with the orthopaedic doctor who conducts the initial examination and prescribes the necessary tests.
Second day
This day is dedicated to diagnostics. It may include the following studies:
- X-ray. A traditional and reliable method for diagnosing enchondroma. Typically provides a hundred percent chance of detecting a neoplasm in the bone.
- CT (computed tomography). It is used to detect tumours in the shoulder girdle, spine, or pelvic bones. The Top Ihilov clinic uses a fourth-generation tomograph. It differs from older models in that the radiation exposure during the study is minimal.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Conducted for examining the spine. The MRI procedure is performed on an innovative device with a resolution of 3 tesla. It can detect a neoplasm at the very early stages of development.
- Bone scanning using a radioisotope method. A more effective technique for detecting formations compared to X-ray. It is used when there is suspicion of the spread of pathology to adjacent tissues.
- Biopsy. The diagnosis of enchondroma in Israel does not go without a biopsy, which allows excluding the malignant nature of the tumour.
Third day
When all test results are ready, a council of doctors is convened. An oncologist, orthopaedic surgeon, and surgeon jointly develop the most optimal treatment method for enchondroma in this specific case. The patient is given recommendations regarding the advisability of surgery.
Treatment of enchondroma in Israel: cost
Perhaps this is the question that everyone considering the help of Israeli doctors asks themselves. It should be noted that the final cost depends on the severity of the disease, the results of diagnostics, and the overall health condition of the patient. The established prices for the treatment of enchondroma in Israel are 30-50% lower than in clinics in Europe and America. This is why foreign patients often choose to receive treatment specifically in Israel.
Advantages of treating enchondroma at the Top Ihilov clinic
- High-precision diagnostics. Thanks to the use of the latest diagnostic equipment, patients are guaranteed an accurate diagnosis. Errors are excluded! Therefore, patients can be confident that they will not undergo surgery without extreme necessity. Treatment of enchondroma without surgery in Israel allows patients and their relatives to monitor the dynamics of tumour development and not worry that the neoplasm will affect their full life.
- Support. The clinic's case manager will ensure that the stay in Israel is as comfortable as possible. Upon request, accommodation will be booked in advance, and tickets ordered. Transportation to the clinic will be organized, transfers arranged, and assistance provided in resolving many other everyday issues.
- Efficiency. Examination, diagnosis, and treatment plan selection will not take much time. There will be no need to spend weeks or even months waiting to see the right specialist; everything will take three to four days.
- Prices. The level of orthopaedic development in Israel is high, while prices are 30-50% lower than European ones. Patients receive medical care at a world-class level but do not overpay.