Every year, an increasing number of foreign patients turn to Israeli clinics for oncological diseases, the treatment of which is a priority area of medicine in Israel. The assistance of highly qualified oncologists, many of whom are recognized worldwide, is required, in particular, for leiomyosarcoma, which is characterized by a high degree of aggressiveness and rapid progression. Treatment of leiomyosarcoma in Israel is carried out according to a comprehensive scheme, which includes modern surgical and conservative methods. Therapy aims to slow the progression of the pathology, eliminate the oncological formation, and prevent recurrence. Surgical removal of the oncological formation is performed in most cases using minimally invasive methods, and robotic surgical systems may also be used.
Considering the high rate of progression of the pathological process, improving the prognosis and achieving normalization of the patient's condition is possible with treatment at early stages of the disease. According to statistics, timely adequate therapy in 80-83% of cases ensures a stable remission. Effective methods and medications are selected based on the information obtained from diagnostic examinations. Despite the fact that at the initial stages of the disease, characteristic signs are poorly expressed and may resemble symptoms of other pathologies, the latest equipment in Israeli clinics allows for the diagnosis of the tumour and the establishment of its characteristics. Moreover, patient reviews indicate that the cost of treatment in Israeli clinics is accessible to medical tourists.
Treatment methods for the disease
Leiomyosarcoma develops as a result of pathological changes in smooth muscle cells, and to date, the exact causes of its occurrence have not been determined. In most cases, the primary tumour is diagnosed in the uterus, but it can also develop in the walls of the intestines, skin, and retroperitoneal space. Effective treatment involves the use of several diverse techniques. The choice of methods is influenced by the stage of the oncological disease, the size, localization, and structure of the tumour, and some other factors.
Surgical treatment
The standard and most effective method of therapy. At early stages of the pathology, with a small size of the oncological formation and absence of spread of the malignant process, the pathological focus is excised along with a small fragment of the surrounding tissues. Some patients may require removal of regional lymph nodes. At advanced stages of the oncological disease, the entire affected organ is removed.
The method of intervention largely depends on the location of the neoplasm. Thus, when leiomyosarcoma is detected in the intestines, laparoscopic surgery is indicated, which does not require large incisions, is associated with minimal trauma, low risk of complications, and a short recovery period. For the removal of uterine leiomyosarcoma, the da Vinci robotic surgical system may be used. In this case, all actions are performed by a robotic surgeon, remotely controlled by the operating surgeon. Robotic surgeries are characterized by minimal duration, maximum precision, and a smooth and short recovery period.
Stereotactic radiosurgery
In cases where the oncological formation is located in a place inaccessible for surgical removal or there are other reasons for the patient's inoperability, the oncological formation is eliminated using stereotactic surgery on the CyberKnife system. The technique is based on the destruction of tumour tissues under the influence of radioactive beams emanating from multiple sources. Low-dose radioactive beams converge in the area of the pathological focus and act on it with a total power sufficient to cause irreversible damage. At the same time, the dose of each individual beam is too small to have a significant negative effect on the healthy tissues through which it passes.
Radiotherapy
Sessions of external beam radiation are used in conjunction with surgical treatment both before (neoadjuvant radiotherapy) and after surgery (adjuvant radiotherapy). As a result of neoadjuvant radiation, painful symptoms are alleviated and the size of the tumour is reduced, while postoperative radiation therapy aims to destroy any remaining malignant cells. In terminal stages of the disease, radiotherapy may be used for palliative purposes as an independent form of treatment. In Israeli clinics, radiation sessions are conducted on modern TrueBeam and Novalis systems, with precise irradiation of the entire surface of the oncological formation and minimal damage to healthy tissues.
Chemotherapy
As with radiotherapy, neoadjuvant and adjuvant courses of chemotherapy are distinguished. Before surgical intervention, cytostatic drugs are used to reduce the size of the tumour and facilitate its subsequent removal, while postoperative chemotherapy aims to destroy any remaining cancer cells in the patient's body and prevent recurrence. Israeli clinics use modern types of chemotherapeutic agents that are characterized by low toxicity and do not cause significant side effects.
Targeted therapy
This innovative method of anti-tumour therapy is based on the targeted action of drugs on pathological cells without affecting healthy ones. In the case of leiomyosarcoma, targeted drugs from the group of angiogenesis inhibitors, which prevent the formation of blood vessels supplying the oncological formation, have proven effective.
How the diagnosis of the disease is conducted
A comprehensive diagnostic examination in Israeli clinics takes about three days.
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient visits a consultation with the treating oncologist. During the appointment, the doctor reviews the medical history and the results of previous examinations, clarifies the painful symptoms that are manifesting. After conducting a physical examination, the specialist prescribes the necessary additional examinations for the patient.
On this day, the patient undergoes the examinations prescribed by the treating physician:
- detailed blood test;
- blood test for specific tumour markers;
- determination of the level of certain hormones in the blood;
- visual methods of investigation (CT, MRI, PET-CT) — allow for the detection of the oncological formation, determine its size, localization, and structure, diagnose the presence of distant metastatic foci;
- endoscopic examinations;
- ultrasound examination (US);
- hysteroscopy (in case of uterine involvement);
- biopsy with subsequent histological analysis of the obtained tumour tissues.
A council, which includes the treating oncologist along with several narrow-profile specialists, studies the obtained examination results, makes a final diagnosis, and develops a treatment program.
How much does treatment for the disease cost
The final amount becomes clear after the patient undergoes examination and treatment is prescribed. The cost of therapy in Israeli medical centers is 30-50% lower than in clinics in Western Europe and the USA.
Advantages of treatment in Israel
- Qualified oncologists recognized worldwide.
- Availability of modern medical-diagnostic equipment.
- Treatment according to international protocols.
- Use of innovative treatment methods.
- Affordable prices.
Today, leiomyosarcoma is not a death sentence or a reason for panic. To restore health, the main thing is to contact the chosen clinic as soon as possible and start treatment.