The modern development of Israeli medicine and pharmacology ensures successful therapy for various types of oncological diseases. Pulmonary hamartoma is a benign tumour that develops from certain types of embryonic tissues. The structure of the neoplasm includes elements of muscle, cartilage, and adipose tissues. Treatment of pulmonary hamartoma in Israel is carried out according to a comprehensive program that includes therapeutic methods tailored based on the results of the patient's examination. Timely adequate treatment in most cases eliminates symptoms and improves prognosis. In the absence of disease progression, it is recommended to replace surgical intervention with dynamic observation.
To develop a treatment strategy and select effective methods of the therapeutic process, a prompt and accurate diagnosis is required. In terms of equipping clinics with state-of-the-art medical diagnostic equipment, Israel ranks first in the world. The advanced types of diagnostic procedures performed with this equipment provide specialists with detailed information to determine the nature and various characteristics of the tumour, allowing them to describe its distinctive features. The most convincing evidence of the effectiveness and comfort of treatment, as well as the competence and friendliness of the medical staff, are numerous patient reviews. An attractive aspect is also the affordable price of the services provided.
How the disease is treated
This type of benign lung neoplasm is the most common and accounts for about two-thirds of tumours localized in the peripheral regions. In most patients, the tumour focus is located in the lower lung lobes, intrapulmonarily in the parenchymal tissue or in the subpleural layer. Typically, solitary tumours are found, while multiple hamartomas are significantly rarer.
The causes of tumour formation, whether congenital or acquired, remain a topic of lively debate among researchers and practicing physicians. Most specialists believe that the tumour process is stimulated by defects in the formation and development of the lungs and bronchi during the embryonic period. The risk of developing hamartoma significantly increases in the presence of hereditary predisposition, infectious-inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract, and prolonged exposure to various chemical and physical mutagens.
For the most part, this oncological disease is asymptomatic for a long period or causes only minor discomfort. Once it reaches significant sizes, the tumour begins to compress surrounding lung tissues, bronchi, and the chest wall. Patients complain of shortness of breath, pain on the affected side of the chest, cough, and hemoptysis.
The need for specific therapy and the possibility of replacing it with dynamic observation are determined by the stage of the disease and the characteristics of the neoplasm. Observation for several months is indicated when a small hamartoma is detected, with evidence of its benignity through cytological and histological examination of the obtained material, and the absence of compression of surrounding tissues. Further treatment strategies are built considering the rate of increase in the size of the hamartoma, which can be easily determined by X-ray images.
Surgical treatment
Surgical removal of the tumour is the most effective method of treating this disease. The techniques of the operation are selected based on the localization of the hamartoma.
- Enucleation — a minimally invasive surgical intervention that involves the excision of the hamartoma from lung tissue, indicated for the removal of peripheral tumours. Access to the affected organ is obtained through thoracotomy. Upon subsequent inflation of the organ, the oncological formation is excised from the lung tissue.
- Segmentectomy of the lung — excision of a portion of the organ, which requires thoracotomy and isolation of the lung.
- Wedge resection of the affected lung — surgical excision of a fragment of lung parenchyma, which does not require isolation of the organ.
- Lobectomy — surgical removal of a lobe of the lung, indicated when the patient has significant compression of lung parenchyma, bronchi, and major blood vessels for an extended period.
- Bronchotomy, bronchial resection — when a hamartoma is found localized on the inner wall of the bronchus, resection of the affected area is performed. At the final stage of the intervention, reconstruction of the bronchial wall and ensuring free airflow is indicated. To possibly detect malignant cells during the procedure, histological examination of the tumour tissues is performed.
- Lobectomy. Thoracic surgery in Israel
How the disease is diagnosed
Due to the prolonged asymptomatic course, hamartoma is often discovered incidentally during examinations for other reasons. The clinical signs of the disease are similar to the symptoms of several other diseases, which is why accurate diagnosis requires the use of state-of-the-art equipment and advanced research methods. High-precision equipment allows for organized examinations over an average of three days.
After arriving in the country and being admitted to the hospital, the patient visits a consultation with the leading pulmonologist, where the specialist reviews the provided results of previous examinations, doctors' conclusions, and hospital discharge summaries. After conducting superficial and physical examinations, referrals for necessary diagnostic procedures are issued.
The examinations include:
- imaging studies (X-ray examination, CT, MRI);
- bronchoscopy (endoscopic examination of the bronchi);
- biopsy with histological examination.
The obtained results are reviewed by a council that includes a pulmonologist and narrow-profile specialists. Based on the studied indicators, the doctors collectively establish the final diagnosis and develop a therapy program.
- Computed Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Biopsy and histological studies
- Chest X-ray
How much does treatment cost
The cost of the therapeutic course is among the most relevant questions for patients. Treatment in Israeli clinics costs, on average, 30-50% less than in medical centers in Western Europe and the USA.
Advantages of treatment in Israel
- Highly qualified experienced specialists.
- High-precision medical equipment.
- Progressive methods of anti-tumour therapy.
- Professional execution of the most complex minimally invasive surgeries.
- Affordable prices.
Recovery and restoration of impaired functions are only possible if therapy is conducted in the early stages of the disease. Do not hesitate to seek help and undergo treatment developed and carried out by highly professional doctors.