Radiosurgery in Israel

Doctor Diana Matsevsky

Senior physician of the department at the National Institute of Oncology, Ichilov Medical Center

If the specialists at Top Ichilov Clinic have the opportunity to avoid exposing the patient to risks associated with surgical removal of the tumour, they will definitely take it. This is especially relevant in cases where the neoplasm is localized in the brain or spinal cord – the use of non-surgical therapy methods minimizes the likelihood of damaging functionally significant brain structures and thus ensures maximum safety of the procedures performed. One of the most effective methods of non-contact destruction of such tumours today is radiosurgery.

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30%

of diagnoses made in the CIS countries are not confirmed at Top Ichilov Clinic

82%

successful cases of treatment with conservative methods

1230

procedures using the modern "da Vinci" system

Table of Contents

Stages

Diagnosis

Prices

It is worth noting that the scope of its application in modern medicine has significantly expanded over the past decade. Stereotactic radiosurgery in Israel helps successfully combat liver and lung cancer, arteriovenous malformations, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and many other conditions. At Top Ichilov Clinic, which is a flagship of Israeli medicine, the effectiveness of treatment with this method is very high. Many patients in their reviews emphasize that with the help of radiosurgery, they managed to completely get rid of the tumour in just 1-2 sessions – all without a single incision, absolutely painlessly and harmlessly to the body.

Current Techniques

Radiosurgery in Israeli clinics is performed using different types of devices. The main ones are:

• Novalis (Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery). A next-generation linear accelerator capable of adjusting in real-time to involuntary patient movements and instantly redirecting ionizing radiation to the area of tumour displacement. This allows the procedure to be performed in a more comfortable way for the patient, without the use of a rigid fixation frame. The radiation session lasts only 5-20 minutes. Reviews of Novalis linear accelerators indicate the highest precision of X-ray targeting – this allows Israeli specialists to destroy cancer cells in the maximum amount while avoiding radiation exposure to the healthy tissues adjacent to the neoplasm. At Top Ichilov Clinic, this device is used to treat tumours of almost any localization. It can be used not only for radiosurgery sessions but also for standard radiation therapy – the Novalis system has a wide range of functions and flexible settings, allowing doctors to achieve maximum effectiveness of the procedures.
• Gamma Knife. A technology primarily used for treating pathologies of the brain and skull base. The Gamma Knife is a complex hemispherical system equipped with numerous individual radiation sources that direct ionizing radiation (with cobalt-60 as its source) at different angles precisely to the center of the neoplasm. By focusing on a designated point, the beams literally burn atypical tissues, resulting in the death of cancer cells and their loss of ability to further divide and grow. To avoid unintentional radiation of nearby brain structures, the patient's head is fixed with a special frame before the procedure, and local anesthesia may be used to minimize discomfort (although the procedure is generally completely painless). Depending on the size of the tumour, the procedure can last from several minutes to 2-3 hours – due to the absence of negative effects on healthy tissues, patients do not require special rehabilitation after it, and they are allowed to leave the clinic on the same day.

CyberKnife. Although linear accelerators are increasingly used in Israeli clinics today, the CyberKnife technology remains relevant and, in some cases, becomes an almost alternative method of treatment. It is used for effective therapy of brain, spinal, prostate, and many other organ tumours. The neoplasm is exposed to high-dose photon radiation directed from various sources, leading to effective destruction of cancer cells and their subsequent necrosis. Like linear accelerators, the CyberKnife system can track even the slightest changes in the patient's body position and accordingly move the beams to the required point, thus minimizing radiation exposure to adjacent tissues. As a result, radiosurgery sessions performed with the CyberKnife also do not require the use of rigid fixation systems and are accompanied by minimal discomfort.

Modern Diagnosis

Before prescribing cancer treatment with a linear accelerator, doctors in Israel perform a comprehensive set of studies. The diagnosis is conducted to clarify the size and localization of the tumour, determine the optimal angle of beam direction, and calculate their power. The accuracy of these parameters directly affects the outcome of the entire subsequent treatment – which is why Israeli doctors approach patient examinations with extreme diligence. Specialists at Top Ichilov Clinic use the most informative diagnostic methods, including:

• Computed tomography.
• Positron emission tomography with CT.
• Magnetic resonance imaging.
• Angiography and others.

After analyzing the examination results, doctors determine the most suitable method of radiosurgical treatment, the number of necessary sessions, and other nuances of the upcoming therapy. Thanks to the fact that all studies at the clinic are conducted very promptly, patients receive expert conclusions within 3-4 days from the start of diagnosis and are almost immediately directed to the necessary procedures.

How much does radiosurgery cost in Israel

Advantages of radiosurgery treatment in Israel

• Maximum safety – no incisions are made during the procedure, and healthy tissues receive minimal, absolutely harmless doses of radiation.
• Highest precision and effectiveness – ionizing radiation directed by radiosurgical devices focuses on the center of the tumour, thus destroying cancer cells much more precisely.
• Ultra-modern equipment – at Top Ichilov Clinic, radiosurgery is performed using the latest models of linear accelerators, Gamma Knife, and CyberKnife systems, effectively impacting even hard-to-reach neoplasms.
• Affordable prices – radiosurgical operations in Israel cost approximately 25-45% less than in Germany, Switzerland, or the USA.

First-class service – foreign patients are provided with comfortable accommodation conditions, and personal curator-translator services are available if needed.