Every year, many foreign patients seek diagnosis and treatment for various types of oncological diseases in Israeli clinics, including the rarely encountered aggressive choriocarcinomas. While in the former CIS countries, ineffective therapy is often prescribed for this pathology, which often worsens the prognosis, choriocarcinoma treatment in Israel is conducted using minimally invasive surgeries, modern gentle methods, and medications. A personalized approach is employed, where the most effective treatment methods are selected for each patient based on the results of diagnostic examinations.
High-tech diagnostic equipment allows for the detection of oncological formations at early stages, identifying distant metastases of the smallest sizes, and accurately determining the signs of tumours necessary for selecting the most effective treatment methods. Numerous positive reviews from patients who underwent therapy are published on the websites of leading clinics, confirming the high level of qualification and professionalism of doctors, the accuracy of diagnostics, and the effectiveness and safety of the therapeutic methods used. As practice shows, timely treatment ensures a long-lasting stable remission in 85-90% of patients. The cost is significantly lower than in the USA and Western Europe, making it accessible for most medical tourists.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Choriocarcinoma, rare among other types of oncological diseases of the female reproductive organs, most often develops in the uterus but can also be found in the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Various causes of the pathology are identified, primarily molar pregnancy. The construction of the treatment scheme depends not only on the localization of the oncological formation but also on whether its growth is exophytic (outward) or endophytic (into the organ cavity). Since this pathology is among the aggressive ones and is characterized by rapid progression and development of metastasis, therapy is aimed at eliminating the tumour focus, preventing the spread of metastases, and forming a long-lasting stable remission.
Surgical Treatment
Depending on the size and stage of the oncological formation, various types of surgical interventions are applied.
- Laparoscopic surgery — at early stages of the disease, provided there is no spread of the malignant process to surrounding tissues, organ-preserving minimally invasive surgery is indicated, during which the tumour focus is removed along with a section of healthy tissue. In Israeli clinics, such surgeries are performed laparoscopically, requiring no large incisions. A laparoscope equipped with a camera and microsurgical instruments are introduced through several small incisions, measuring 1-1.5 centimeters, in the abdominal cavity. Laparoscopic interventions are characterized by a low risk of bleeding and postoperative complications, with a short and easily manageable recovery period.
To prevent local recurrence during the surgical intervention, the surgical field may be washed with a solution of chemotherapy drugs or intraoperative radiation may be performed. - Hysteroscopy — at late stages of the disease, when the tumour has reached significant sizes and there is no response to the applied treatment methods, removal of the uterus is indicated.
- Robotic surgery — leading Israeli clinics are equipped with da Vinci robotic surgical systems, which allow for highly precise operations. All actions are performed by a robot, remotely controlled by a surgeon. Studies show that robotic surgeries are significantly shorter in duration and have no complications.
Radiotherapy
Radiation sessions may be prescribed before surgical intervention to reduce the size of the oncological formation and facilitate its subsequent removal. Radiotherapy is conducted on modern equipment using progressive technologies that ensure precise irradiation of the tumour focus with minimal impact on healthy tissues.
Chemotherapy
It is necessarily included in the treatment scheme. In recent years, Israeli oncologists have been using the latest generation of chemotherapy drugs from the group of liposomal cytostatics. Their high effectiveness is due to easier penetration into malignant cells, low toxicity, and gentle impact on the patient's body. The duration of the chemotherapy course is, on average, 30% shorter than when using standard chemotherapy drugs. An undeniable advantage is also the minimal number of mild side effects.
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC)
This procedure is indicated in cases of metastatic foci found in the abdominal cavity. Concentrated, heated solutions of chemotherapy drugs wash over the abdominal organs, destroying cancer cells. Since it has a local effect and only a small portion of the toxic solution enters the bloodstream, side effects are absent.
Targeted Therapy
This innovative treatment method is based on the administration of drugs that have a targeted destructive effect on malignant cells without affecting healthy ones.
How the Diagnosis of the Disease is Conducted
To develop an effective treatment scheme, timely comprehensive diagnostics is necessary. In Israeli clinics, diagnostic examinations take no more than three days.
On the first day of stay in the clinic, the patient is referred for a consultation with the treating oncologist. During the appointment, the doctor reviews the medical history, studies the available results of previous examinations, and clarifies the symptoms manifesting in the patient. After conducting a gynecological examination, the specialist prescribes the necessary tests.
The prescribed examinations include:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- blood tests for specific tumour markers;
- molecular testing;
- ultrasound of the pelvic organs;
- visual methods of investigation (CT, MRI, PET-CT) to determine the size and localization of the oncological formation, the extent of the malignant process, and to identify distant metastases;
- hysteroscopy;
- biopsy with subsequent histological analysis of tumour tissue samples;
- lumbar puncture.
A medical council consisting of the treating oncologist and several narrow-profile specialists reviews the results of the conducted studies, makes a final diagnosis, and develops a treatment plan.
How Much Does Treatment for the Disease Cost
The final amount depends on the size, localization, and stage of the tumour's development, the extent of the malignant process, and some other factors, and is determined after the appointment of treatment procedures. In general, the cost of treatment in Israel is 30-50% lower than in European and American clinics of a similar level.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Qualified experienced specialists.
- Clinics equipped with high-tech medical and diagnostic equipment.
- Professional performance of organ-preserving surgeries.
- Application of modern treatment methods and medications.
- Affordable prices.
Restoring health and returning to normal life is possible with timely initiation of therapy. Therefore, do not waste precious time, contact the clinic, and undergo treatment under the guidance of highly qualified specialists.