Doctor Diana MatseevskiSenior physician at the National Cancer Institute of Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center
If the specialists at Top Ichilov have the opportunity to avoid exposing a patient to the risks associated with surgical tumor removal, they will certainly 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 techniques minimizes the likelihood of damaging functionally significant brain structures, thus ensuring maximum safety during procedures. One of the most effective methods of non-contact destruction of such tumors today is radiotherapy.
It is also worth noting that the scope of its application in modern medicine has significantly expanded over the past decade. Stereotactic radiotherapy in Israel helps successfully combat liver and lung cancer, arteriovenous malformations, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and many other conditions. At Top Ichilov, which is a flagship of Israeli medicine, the effectiveness of treatment using this method is very high. Many patients emphasize in their reviews that they managed to completely get rid of the tumor in just 1-2 sessions – all without a single incision, absolutely painlessly and harmlessly to the body.
Current Techniques
Radiotherapy in Israeli clinics is performed using various types of systems. The main ones are:
- Novalis (Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery). A next-generation linear accelerator capable of real-time adjustments to involuntary patient movements and instantly redirecting ionizing radiation to the area of tumor displacement. As a result, the procedure can be performed in a more comfortable manner 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 in directing X-ray radiation – this allows Israeli specialists to destroy cancer cells in the maximum amount while avoiding radiation exposure to healthy tissues adjacent to the neoplasm. At Top Ichilov, this system is used to treat tumors of almost any localization. It can be used not only for radiotherapy 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 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 multiple individual radiation sources that direct ionizing radiation (with cobalt-60 as the source) at various 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 exposure to 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 tumor, 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 afterward and are allowed to leave the clinic on the same day.
CyberKnife. Despite the increasing use of linear accelerators in Israeli clinics today, the CyberKnife technology remains relevant and, in some cases, becomes a practically alternative treatment method. It is used for effective therapy of tumors in the brain, spine, prostate, and many other organs. The neoplasm is exposed to high-dose photon radiation directed from different 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, thereby minimizing radiation exposure to adjacent tissues. As a result, radiotherapy sessions conducted with the CyberKnife also do not require the use of rigid fixation systems and are accompanied by minimal discomfort.
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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 tumor, determine the optimal angle for directing the beams, and calculate their power. The accuracy of these parameters directly affects the outcome of the subsequent treatment – this is why Israeli doctors approach patient examinations with extreme diligence. Specialists at Top Ichilov 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 radiotherapy, the number of necessary sessions, and other nuances of the upcoming therapy. Thanks to the rapid execution of all studies at the clinic, patients receive expert conclusions by the 3rd-4th day from the start of diagnosis and are almost immediately directed to the necessary procedures.
- Computed tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Diagnosis – PET CT
How much does radiotherapy cost in Israel
Since the treatment plan for each individual is created individually, the exact price of the operation will only be known after the examination. In any case, treatment in Israel will be much cheaper than in the United States or Western European countries. With absolutely identical quality of service, the cost of the operation on a linear accelerator at Top Ichilov will be approximately 25-45% lower.
- Cysts of the head and neck
- Melanoma
- Neurinoma
- Skin cancer
Advantages of Radiotherapy 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 radiotherapy systems focuses on the center of the tumor, thus destroying cancer cells much more precisely.
- Ultra-modern equipment – at Top Ichilov, radiotherapy is performed using the latest models of linear accelerators, Gamma Knife, and CyberKnife systems, effectively impacting even hard-to-reach neoplasms.
- Affordable prices – radiotherapy 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 necessary.