The Endocrinology Department at Ichilov is a leader in its field in Israel and performs a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients suffering from endocrine diseases, including adrenal tumors. The surgeons on the team have received specialized training in this area, have extensive experience, and perform hundreds of surgeries annually.
At the clinic, interdisciplinary collaboration and a comprehensive approach are practiced. The department's team works closely with experts from other departments, including oncology, metabolic, and imaging departments, making decisions and providing assistance to patients to achieve optimal outcomes. Reviews of treatment at the clinic can be found in the relevant section of the website.
Treatment Methods for Corticosteroidoma
Treatment of corticosteroidoma involves both conservative and surgical methods; for oncological forms, chemotherapy is also indicated for patients.
Active Monitoring and Control
Adrenal tumors smaller than 4 cm that are non-functional, meaning they do not produce hormones and do not raise any suspicion of cancer in imaging methods, are typically included in the monitoring protocol. Monitoring is conducted at regular intervals (6-12 months) using routine blood tests, urine tests, hormone levels, and imaging methods.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone therapy allows for the regulation of hormone production and is applied prior to surgery or if the patient is not a candidate for surgery. This is usually a treatment course lasting several weeks.
Surgery
Functional adrenal tumors, which cause significant complaints due to excessive hormone production or are larger than 4 cm, are surgically removed. This protects against serious long-term health problems such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart attack, weight gain, diabetes, and kidney issues. Since adrenal tumors larger than 4 cm are highly likely to be cancerous, surgical treatment is still required regardless of whether they are functional or not. Surgery either removes the entire adrenal mass or the entire adrenal gland along with the mass. Complete adrenalectomy is usually preferred for malignant adrenal tumors and in cases where cancer from other parts of the body has spread to the adrenal glands. Complete removal of one adrenal gland typically does not cause cancellation if the function of the other adrenal gland is normal. In all other cases, partial removal of the adrenal gland is preferred. The surgery is performed using either an open or minimally invasive laparoscopic (closed) method.
Minimally Invasive Technique
Laparoscopic methods, especially robotic surgery, are more preferred in adrenal surgery. When technological capabilities are available, robotic adrenalectomy provides better visualization of the tumor and technically more precise exploration. Adrenalectomy with classic laparoscopic and robotic intervention ensures faster recovery and shorter hospital stays compared to open surgery.
Open Surgery
Open surgery is preferred if there is no technological infrastructure or if there have been previous surgeries on the abdominal organs. It may still be used for the removal of diffuse adrenal tumors of large volume.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be prescribed after surgical intervention in confirmed cancerous forms of the tumor. The Ichilov clinic uses modern chemotherapeutic agents that effectively destroy cancer cells, with minimal side effects from these agents.
- Chemotherapy
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Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
For diagnosing adrenal tumors, advanced technology capabilities are typically used. Medical history, systematic medical examination, and measurements of blood pressure and body (weight, height, etc.), routine laboratory tests, hormone levels, and some complex hormone level measurements determine whether there is an elevated hormone level and deviations from normal using imaging tests such as CT, MRI, and PET-CT to detect a tumor. Diagnosis at the clinic is conducted in a timely manner and takes an average of three days.
On this day, the attending physician examines the patient, reviews their medical history, collects a complete medical history, and orders the necessary diagnostic tests to establish a diagnosis and rule out other pathologies in the patient.
Possible types of laboratory studies:
- Blood and urine tests: some simple and complex hormone level measurements that may be caused by adrenal tumors are used. In some cases, a 24-hour urine collection and measurement of adrenal hormone waste excreted with this urine may be required. In these laboratory tests, potassium, sodium, and renin levels in the blood are important for diagnosing aldosteronoma. Measuring cortisol levels, one of the adrenal hormones, is important in diagnosis, and high cortisol levels may indicate Cushing's syndrome. Dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine are measured in the blood, and the waste of these hormones (metanephrine) is determined in urine, with high levels possibly indicating pheochromocytoma.
- A biopsy may help confirm the diagnosis if necessary.
Imaging methods:
- Ultrasound: tumors larger than 1 cm can be detected with a standard ultrasound examination; this is a very simple and inexpensive method accepted as a diagnostic tool.
- CT (computed tomography): tomography using contrast material can provide clear visualization of adrenal tumors.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): this imaging method provides insight into the structure of the mass. This is important in demonstrating the extent of this tumor in adrenal cancer. This method uses radio waves. Again, contrast material is used.
- PET scan: this radioisotope nuclear medicine study is important for cancer diagnosis, showing us whether the adrenal tumor is cancerous or not, whether it has metastases, or whether another known cancer has spread to the adrenal glands. It also provides insight into how intense and active the cancer is.
Once the examination results are ready, a medical council is convened. A collegial approach to diagnosis and treatment method selection helps improve the overall prognosis.
How Much Does Treatment Cost in Israel
The cost of treatment is calculated individually and depends on the complexity of the case. The final price is announced after the therapeutic plan is approved. Preliminary costs are discussed even before arriving at the clinic. Call our International Department for a consultation on pricing. A medical consultant will ask you a series of questions and send you the current price list for possible procedures.
Reasons Patients Choose Ichilov
- Ichilov Clinic is a multidisciplinary medical institution with an impeccable reputation.
- The clinic's doctors are recognized experts at both national and international levels.
- The medical equipment – the clinic is equipped with modern therapeutic and diagnostic equipment that enhances the effectiveness of the therapeutic process.
- Affordability – the cost of treatment at Ichilov is often lower than at other medical institutions in Israel and top-tier foreign clinics.
- First-class support services – patients are provided with translator services, personal companions, and psychologists.
If you or your loved ones have signs of illness and wish to consult an Israeli doctor, please contact us in any convenient way. A medical consultant will help organize direct communication with the necessary specialist.