Brain tumors are one of the most complex areas of oncology. Even a benign tumor inside the skull can press on structures responsible for speech, vision, or movement, so every surgery and every course of radiation therapy here is a matter of millimeters. At the Oncology Institute of the Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center in Tel Aviv, a separate team specializes in neuro-oncology: neurosurgeons, radiation therapists, oncologists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation specialists work together to guide the patient from the first MRI to long-term follow-up. The clinic accepts patients from the CIS with glioblastoma, meningioma, astrocytoma, primary CNS lymphoma, and brain metastases, operates on skull base tumors and brainstem tumors, performs stereotactic radiosurgery, and participates in international clinical trials of new drugs. Below is how the treatment is organized, what stages it consists of, how much it costs, and how to obtain the program.
Treatment Methods
- Microsurgical tumor removal with neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI. The surgeon sees the tumor in real-time and can immediately check if the entire volume has been removed without leaving the operating room.
- Awake craniotomy — surgery while conscious. Used when the tumor is located near speech or motor areas: the patient performs tests while the surgeon adjusts the resection to avoid damaging functional areas.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery Gamma Knife and linear accelerator. One or several sessions of high-precision radiation without incision — effective for small meningiomas, metastases, schwannomas, and residual tumors after surgery.
- Proton therapy. Used for tumors in young patients and for tumors near the brainstem, optic nerve, and other critical structures — the dose concentrates in the tumor and almost does not affect healthy tissue.
- Targeted therapy based on the molecular profile of the tumor. After NGS sequencing, drugs targeting specific mutations — BRAF V600E, IDH1/IDH2, NTRK, EGFR, and others — are selected.
- Immunotherapy and clinical trials. Checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines against glioblastoma, CAR-T for primary CNS lymphoma — some protocols are available only within the framework of studies to which the clinic is connected.
- Chemotherapy and Stupp regimen. Temozolomide along with radiation therapy, followed by maintenance cycles — the standard first-line treatment for glioblastoma, which is supplemented at Ichilov with TTF fields (Optune) as needed.
- Comprehensive rehabilitation. A speech therapist, occupational therapist, neuropsychologist, and physiotherapist are involved from the first days after surgery — this directly affects how a person returns to their previous life.
Send your records — an Ichilov physician will reply within 1–2 days, free of charge.
Treatment Program — Stages
- Document review. The international department receives medical records, MRI/CT discs, and histological slides, translates the documents, and forwards them to the relevant neuro-oncologist.
- Further examination. In the first 1–3 days — consultation with a neuro-oncologist and neurosurgeon, MRI with contrast on 3T, PET-CT if necessary, functional MRI, tractography, repeat histology.
- Multidisciplinary tumor board. A neurosurgeon, radiation therapist, oncologist, pathologist, and neuroradiologist gather together and approve the protocol: surgery, radiosurgery, systemic therapy, or their combination.
- Active treatment. Surgery and/or course of radiation therapy, initiation of chemotherapy or targeted drug, inclusion in a clinical trial if necessary.
- Early rehabilitation. Begins in the hospital: recovery of speech, movement, cognitive functions, working with a neuropsychologist.
- Discharge and recommendations for home. The patient receives a complete protocol in Russian and English, a medication schedule, and MRI checkpoints.
- Remote follow-up. The lead physician continues to manage the patient online — consulting on the results of follow-up studies, adjusting therapy.
Prices and Costs
The exact amount is only provided after the treating physician reviews the documents and a diagnostic plan is created. The cost depends on the type of tumor, the extent of the surgery, the need for radiosurgery, the duration of chemotherapy, and the prescribed targeted or immunotherapy drugs. For reference — typical positions from the Ichilov price list:
- Consultation with a professor-neuro-oncologist — from 750 $, second opinion on documents online — from 450 $.
- MRI of the brain with contrast — from 1,100 $, PET-CT of the whole body — from 1,900 $, extended histology and slide review — from 700 $.
- Brain tumor removal with neuronavigation — from 55,000 $; stereotactic radiosurgery and proton therapy are calculated based on the number of sessions.
- Chemotherapy — from 1,400 $ per course excluding drug costs; immunotherapy and targeted drugs — individually based on the specific regimen.
The final estimate is fixed before the start of treatment — there are no unexpected additional payments "along the way" in Israeli clinics.
Leading Doctors
Head of the Neuro-Oncology Department. Manages most patients with high-grade gliomas, primary CNS lymphoma, and brain metastases. Responsible for systemic therapy — chemotherapy, targeted drugs, immunotherapy — and selects clinical trials in which the patient may participate.
Professor of Neurosurgery, Head of the Neurosurgery Service. Operates on brain tumors, skull base tumors, and tumors near functional areas. Uses neuronavigation, intraoperative MRI, and awake craniotomy; personally conducts Tumor Board meetings for complex cases.
Radiation Therapist, Specialist in Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Plans treatment using Gamma Knife and linear accelerators, manages patients with meningiomas, schwannomas, metastases, and residual tumors after surgery.
FAQ
Are there age restrictions?
There is no formal age limit — the clinic treats both elderly patients and teenagers (pediatric neuro-oncology is a separate specialty at Dana-Dwek). Decisions are made based on the patient's condition, comorbidities, and tolerance of the planned treatment, not based on the number in the passport.
Is a visa required for treatment in Israel?
Citizens of most CIS countries enjoy a visa-free regime for up to 90 days — this is sufficient for diagnosis, surgery, and the start of therapy. If treatment requires a longer stay, the international department assists with extending the status.
What language is spoken at the clinic?
A Russian-speaking coordination service works with patients from the CIS: translation of medical documents, accompaniment during consultations, assistance with everyday issues. Many doctors at Ichilov (Sourasky) speak Russian fluently, so a translator is not always needed next to the doctor.
How long will the treatment take?
Diagnosis and the Tumor Board usually take 3–5 business days. Surgery and early rehabilitation take another 10–14 days. The course of radiation therapy lasts 4–6 weeks, and the intake of targeted and immunotherapy often continues at home under remote supervision of a doctor.
Is a deposit required to start?
Yes, before arrival, the clinic requires a deposit covering the initial examination and Tumor Board. Further payments are made based on the agreed stages; the final estimate is formed after the treatment protocol is approved and does not increase "on the go."
How to obtain a treatment program
To allow a doctor at Ichilov (Sourasky) to review your case and prepare a preliminary plan, please send: the latest discharge summaries and conclusions (including surgical protocols if surgery has already been performed), a disk with MRI and CT scans of the brain with contrast, histological slides or blocks for review, and the results of the latest blood tests. Materials can be sent through the form on this page or forwarded to the coordinator via messenger — within 1–2 business days, a specialist will contact you, ask clarifying questions, and prepare a program indicating timelines, doctors, and estimated costs.