Leukemia is a malignant disease of the hematopoietic system, in which the bone marrow stops producing normal blood cells and begins to release immature, defective leukocytes into the bloodstream. This is why it is often referred to as "blood cancer" or "bone marrow cancer." The disease develops rapidly, requires precise verification of the subtype, and the selection of a protocol literally within the first days after diagnosis — the prognosis directly depends on this. The Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center in Tel Aviv is one of the largest public hospitals in Israel with a strong hematology-oncology department, its own bone marrow transplantation unit, and access to modern immunotherapy protocols, including CAR-T. Here, patients from around the world receive diagnostics according to international standards, a Tumor Board of specialized experts, and treatment according to the same protocols used in leading cancer centers in the USA and Europe. A Russian-speaking coordinator guides the patient from the first email to discharge: translating documents, coordinating dates, and explaining each step. This article discusses how the leukemia treatment program is organized at Ichilov, what methods are used, and how to obtain an estimate for your treatment.
Treatment Methods
The program is tailored to the specific type of leukemia — acute lymphoblastic (ALL), acute myeloid (AML), chronic myeloid (CML), or chronic lymphocytic (CLL) — and to the cytogenetic profile of the tumor. The hematology-oncology department has the following arsenal:
- Induction chemotherapy — the initial stage for acute leukemias, aimed at achieving remission and "clearing" the bone marrow of blast cells. This is followed by consolidation and maintenance therapy according to protocols adapted to the patient's age and molecular profile.
- Targeted therapy — drugs that specifically block altered tumor molecules. For CML and Ph-positive ALL, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, ponatinib) are used; for CLL — ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, venetoclax; and for some forms of AML — FLT3 and IDH inhibitors.
- Immunotherapy and monoclonal antibodies — rituximab, obinutuzumab, blinatumomab, inotuzumab ozogamicin. These allow for responses even in patients resistant to standard chemotherapy.
- CAR-T cell therapy — a "living drug" made from the patient's own T-lymphocytes, reprogrammed to recognize tumor cells. It is used for relapsed and refractory forms of ALL and a number of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. In Israel, CAR-T is available both within registered protocols and in clinical trials.
- Autologous bone marrow transplantation — transplantation of the patient's own stem cells after high-dose chemotherapy. This allows for more aggressive treatment and restoration of hematopoiesis.
- Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT) — transplantation of cells from a donor: related, unrelated, or haploidentical (partially matched). This is often the only chance for a complete cure in high-risk acute leukemias.
- Clinical trials — access to experimental drugs and new combinations that have not yet reached the market in the CIS.
- Supportive therapy — infection control, management of chemotherapy complications, psychological and nutritional support, rehabilitation after BMT.
Send your records — an Ichilov physician will reply within 1–2 days, free of charge.
Treatment Program — Stages
Patients from around the world go through the same organizational steps — they are arranged in a clear sequence:
- Remote document assessment. The Russian-speaking coordinator collects discharge summaries, results of myelograms, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, and molecular tests, if available. The hematologist-oncologist provides an initial opinion and indicates what makes sense to review at Ichilov.
- Diagnostics at the clinic. In the first days after arrival — examination by a hematologist-oncologist, repeat blood tests, review of histological and cytological preparations, and if necessary — a new bone marrow puncture, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics, NGS panel.
- Tumor Board. A multidisciplinary team — hematologist-oncologist, transplantologist, CAR-T specialist, radiologist, and if necessary, an infectious disease specialist — discusses the case and approves the treatment protocol.
- Approval of the estimate. The patient receives a written program listing medications, hospitalizations, and approximate timelines. All changes are documented in writing.
- Active treatment. Induction and consolidation take place in the hematology-oncology department, with some cycles in the day hospital and some in isolated boxes. If indicated, CAR-T or BMT is added.
- Recovery and discharge. After BMT, the patient is monitored for several weeks in a specialized department, then transitions to outpatient care.
- Follow-up. Remote monitoring: tests can be done locally, and results sent to the coordinator for consultation with the Ichilov doctor. If necessary, repeat visits for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD).
Prices and Costs
The final cost of leukemia treatment is always individual: it depends on the type of leukemia, the need for transplantation, the duration of hospitalizations, and the list of medications, some of which are expensive targeted and immunobiological drugs. Below are public benchmarks from the Ichilov (Sourasky) price list to understand the range of amounts:
- Consultation with the leading professor-hematologist-oncologist — from 750 USD, second opinion online based on documents — from 450 USD.
- Extended diagnostics — glass review from 700 USD, tumor NGS panel from 3,200 USD, whole body PET-CT from 1,900 USD, extended blood analysis from 150 USD.
- Chemotherapy course — from 1,400 USD per course excluding the cost of medications; targeted and immunotherapy are calculated based on the specific drug.
- CAR-T and bone marrow transplantation — price upon request and calculated individually: these are high-tech programs with a long hospital stay, isolation, and donor matching.
It makes sense to request an exact estimate after the doctor reviews the documents: only then is it clear whether retesting is needed, which protocol is applicable, and whether a bone marrow transplant (BMT) is required.
Leading Doctors
The hematology-oncology department at Ichilov is led by doctors with an academic background — many of them combine clinical work with teaching at the medical faculty of Tel Aviv University and participation in international research. The head of the hematology department is responsible for the overall strategy for managing patients with leukemias and lymphomas, coordinates Tumor Boards, and approves protocols.
The bone marrow transplantation department is headed by a professor with many years of experience in auto- and allogeneic transplants, including haploidentical protocols. This team addresses donor selection, preparation for transplantation (conditioning), and patient management in the early and late post-transplant periods.
A separate specialist coordinates the CAR-T therapy program: candidate selection, interaction with the laboratory for cell product production, patient management during infusion, and monitoring for characteristic complications — cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity. A specific doctor is selected for the patient based on the type of leukemia and the proposed pathway — this issue is coordinated by a Russian-speaking coordinator even before arrival.
FAQ
Are there age restrictions for treatment?
There are no formal restrictions: the program is tailored to biological age, comorbidities, and therapy tolerance. Elderly patients are often offered less toxic protocols (for example, venetoclax + hypomethylating agents for AML), and the decision regarding BMT is made individually after assessing functional status.
Is a visa required for treatment in Israel?
Citizens of most CIS countries have a visa-free regime for up to 90 days, which is sufficient for the initial stage of treatment. If the program requires a longer stay, the coordinator will assist with an invitation from the clinic and extending the status on-site.
What language is used for communication?
Doctors communicate with patients in English and Hebrew, while a personal coordinator accompanies you in Russian: they attend consultations, translate discharge summaries, explain prescriptions, and keep in touch with family in the CIS. Medical reports following treatment are issued in English and translated into Russian upon request.
How long does treatment take?
The diagnostic stage and the first cycle of induction chemotherapy take from 2 to 6 weeks. The full course of acute leukemia treatment with consolidation stretches over several months, and in the case of BMT — from 3 to 6 months considering the recovery period. Part of the therapy can be continued at home under remote supervision by an Ichilov doctor.
Is a deposit required and how is payment handled?
The clinic operates without intermediaries: the patient pays the bill directly at the Ichilov cash desk upon receipt of services. Before hospitalization for costly stages (BMT, CAR-T, long protocols), a deposit is made based on the confirmed estimate. All receipts and contracts are issued to the patient, which is convenient for further reimbursement through insurance companies or charitable foundations.
How to Obtain a Treatment Program
To receive a written program and estimate from the hematologists at Ichilov, send the available documents to the Russian-speaking coordinator: recent discharge summaries, results of general and biochemical blood tests, myelogram, immunophenotyping data, cytogenetics, and results of CT/MRI/PET-CT. If some studies are missing — it’s not a problem, the doctor will advise what can be done locally and what makes sense to retest in Tel Aviv. Within 1-2 business days, you will receive a response from a specialist, recommendations on the pathway, and an approximate cost for the first stage. You can contact us through the form on this page or via WhatsApp — the coordinator will respond in a language convenient for you and will advise with the doctor whether to plan your arrival and within what timeframe.