Treatment of Immunoblastic B-Cell Lymphoma in Israel

At the clinic, they work with the most modern medical equipment, including advanced PET-CT, MRI scanners, and the latest linear accelerators for precise and effective radiation therapy. In developing treatment plans at Ichilov, a comprehensive approach is practiced with the involvement of a multidisciplinary team of specialists.

The medical center provides comprehensive support to patients and their families, including assistance with accommodation and transportation, translator services, and consultations with psychologists and rehabilitation specialists.

About the Disease

Immunoblastic B-cell lymphoma is one of the aggressive types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is characterized by the presence of immunoblasts—large mononuclear cells that are precursors to plasma cells. This is a rare, rapidly progressing subtype of lymphoma, classified by cell morphology and expression of surface markers, particularly CD20 for B-cells.

The exact causes of immunoblastic lymphoma are unknown. However, scientists suggest the presence of certain factors that contribute to its development, including genetic mutations, immune system dysfunction, exposure to toxic substances, and infections.

The symptoms of the disease vary, but typical signs include:

• rapidly enlarging lymph nodes, usually painless;
• feelings of fatigue, malaise;
• fever, night sweats, unintentional weight loss (B-symptoms);
• enlargement of the liver and spleen;
• in cases where the disease has spread to the bone marrow, signs related to anemia, low platelet count, and white blood cell deficiency may manifest.

Treatment Methods for the Disease

Immunoblastic B-cell lymphoma is an aggressive malignant disease requiring intensive treatment methods. In each specific case, the treatment plan is developed individually, based on the stage, health status, age, presence of comorbidities, and other factors.

Chemotherapy

The primary therapeutic method for most non-Hodgkin lymphomas. For patients with the immunoblastic form of B-cell lymphoma, various chemotherapy combination protocols are used, often in conjunction with other therapy methods, such as monoclonal antibodies. Chemotherapy aims to globally eradicate tumor cells throughout the body to achieve remission and optimize prognosis.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapeutic treatment may be used:

• to minimize tumor mass before chemotherapy;
• as an adjunct after chemotherapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells in the body.

The Ichilov clinic is equipped with modern TrueBeam and Lunac linear accelerators. These are state-of-the-art radiation therapy equipment that provide the most precise radiation impact on the tumor with minimal involvement of surrounding healthy tissues, increasing treatment efficacy and reducing side effects.

Immunotherapy

A large-scale promising direction in modern medicine. Immunological treatment of immunoblastic B-cell lymphoma is based on the use of monoclonal antibodies. The feature of these microbiological agents is their ability to precisely target specific proteins on the surface of B-lymphocyte cells, such as CD20. As a result of the procedure, cancer cells are marked so that the body can accurately detect and destroy them with the forces of the immune system.

Targeted Therapy

One of the promising directions of immunotherapeutic interventions. The treatment uses drugs that target specific molecular targets in transformed cells, such as protein kinase inhibitors. As a result, signaling pathways that support the growth and survival of transformed cells are blocked.

Stem Cell Transplantation

As one of the methods to combat immunoblastic B-cell lymphomas, stem cell transplantation after high-dose chemotherapy is a possibility. This method is used after primary therapy in patients who have a potentially high risk of disease recurrence or in cases of already occurred relapse. The patient receives high doses of chemotherapy drugs, followed by the introduction of stem cells to restore bone marrow. The material for transplantation can be collected from the patient before high-dose procedures or from a compatible donor. The goal of treatment is radical eradication of cancer cells and restoration of normal hematopoietic function.

Diagnostic Methods for the Disease

Modern medicine is constantly improving protocols for diagnosing oncological lymphatic pathologies. The Ichilov clinic employs a range of studies on cell morphology and the identification of surface marker expression, allowing for accurate identification of the cause of symptoms and diagnosis. Diagnosis includes several stages.

First Day

The doctor typically begins by collecting a complete medical history of the patient (anamnesis) and conducting a physical examination, including checking for enlarged lymph nodes, liver, and spleen.

Second Day

• A series of laboratory tests – tumor marker tests, biochemical studies, and other tests.
• Instrumental tests using chest X-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI, or PET-CT.
• Lymph node biopsy.
• Histological studies.
• Immunophenotyping.
• Molecular genetic tests.

Third Day

During the diagnosis and development of the treatment plan, a team of specialists from various fields participates: hematologist-oncologist, radiologist, histopathologist, and other doctors. A multidisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive examination of the problem and selection of the most promising treatment options, taking into account the specific features of the disease's progression in the individual patient.

How Much Does Treatment Cost

Advantages of Treatment in Israel

1. High qualifications of specialists
2. Innovative treatment methods and advanced equipment
3. Multidisciplinary teams
4. Research and clinical trials
5. High level of patient service

Patients at the Ichilov clinic have access to the latest treatment methods, often unavailable in other countries. You can schedule a video consultation with a doctor specializing in lymphoma treatment and receive an assessment of your specific case, along with recommendations for individual treatment options.