At Top Ihilov Clinic, successful treatment of various types of oncological formations is conducted, even those that are difficult to treat, such as neuroendocrine tumours. In many countries with lower medical standards, the problem lies not only in the treatment itself but also in accurate diagnosis, as there are many types of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and the symptoms are vague. Top Ihilov has modern high-precision diagnostic equipment that allows for 100% accuracy in confirming or refuting the presence of an oncological process. The therapy for NETs uses the most modern international protocols and methods, the effectiveness of which is proven. The innovative approach to therapy at Top Ihilov consists of oncologists preferring the most modern, minimally invasive treatment methods, which, nevertheless, are much more effective than those used a decade ago. Doctors achieve a slowdown or complete cessation of the oncological process, leading to long-term remission, allowing the patient to continue living fully.
Treatment Methods for Neuroendocrine Tumours in Israel
Since NETs can develop in any organ (most often in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, pituitary gland, thymus), the treatment method is chosen based on its localization. Methods that work well for treating gastric NETs may be ineffective or too risky for treating pituitary NETs. The extent of the cancer process is also taken into account. A neuroendocrine tumour can be:
- Localized (developing within one organ)
- Regional (spreading to nearby organs and systems)
- Metastatic (giving secondary foci in various organs throughout the body)
Surgical Treatment. Radical removal of the tumour focus is the most preferred treatment method, complemented by others for a more sustained therapeutic effect. The location of the NET and its size dictate the method of surgery. Typically, oncological surgeons choose the endoscopic method as the most gentle, where no large surgical incision is made, and access to the pathological focus is achieved through small, several-centimeter tissue incisions. For example, in the case of an abdominal NET, a laparoscopic surgery may be performed with punctures in the abdominal area, and for lung NETs – with punctures in the rib area, and so on. This method helps avoid significant blood loss, minimizes the risk of infection, and reduces postoperative recovery time to a minimum.
If the pathological focus is located in a hard-to-reach place, its removal requires utmost precision due to the risk of damaging nearby nerves or vessels, and the da Vinci robotic surgical system may be used – an innovative surgical installation. Because its "hands"-manipulators can reach areas that are physically inaccessible with a conventional scalpel, the tumour removal is performed with maximum precision, without damaging healthy tissues. The robotic surgeon is controlled by the treating surgeon, who monitors the actions on a screen that provides 30x magnification.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The removal of neuroendocrine tumours in Israel can also be performed using the advanced technique of radiosurgery. This method is chosen when conventional surgery cannot ensure a positive treatment outcome (for example, if the pathological focus is localized in such a way that it cannot be removed), or there are contraindications to surgical intervention. In particular, radiosurgery can be used for NETs of the pancreas, pituitary gland, and lungs. The pathological focus is irradiated with an extremely high dose of radiation, which allows for the destruction of cancer cells in one or two sessions. Despite the high radiation power, the CyberKnife system operates in such a way that healthy tissues are minimally irradiated, with only the pathological focus receiving a strong dose. This significantly reduces the radiation burden on the body.
Radiotherapy. This is prescribed when the focus cannot be removed. It may involve external beam radiotherapy using new machines, linear accelerators Novalis or TrueBeam STx, which generate radiation beams with maximum precision (up to 0.5 mm), allowing for the avoidance of healthy tissue irradiation. Brachytherapy is also used, where a radioactive substance is placed directly into the tumour tissue. Gradually releasing, the ionizing radiation affects atypical cells much more effectively. Radioactive substances can be placed in microcapsules that are delivered to the tumour tissues via a special catheter or injected with a special needle.
Chemotherapy. This can be used as a standalone method or in combination with radiotherapy or surgical treatment. It effectively combats metastases throughout the body. Because Top Ihilov Clinic uses new generation drugs, the negative toxic impact on the patient's body is reduced. In cases of cancer spread in the abdominal cavity, intraoperative chemotherapy may be applied: the introduction of the chemotherapeutic agent during the operation, after resection of the tumour. This allows doctors to gain additional guarantees that all cancer cells are destroyed and to extend the remission period.
Hormone Therapy for neuroendocrine tumours is used to block the production of the hormone that provokes the development and growth of the tumour formation. It is also used to alleviate severe symptoms.
Targeted Therapy. A new direction in cancer treatment that has already shown high results in treating NETs. Its essence is that the drugs act with maximum precision, only on cancer cells. A large group of drugs is used, which work in different ways. For example, some of them affect the metabolic processes of cancer cells: they "find" atypical cells that synthesize specific proteins and block the intracellular metabolism process. Other drugs, based on monoclonal antibodies, can "deliver" chemotherapeutic agents or radioactive substances to cancer cells and help the immune system find and destroy atypical cells. A distinctive feature of targeted therapy is the complete absence of negative effects on healthy cells of the body.
Diagnosis
At Top Ihilov, before starting treatment, an examination is mandatory, even if the patient has undergone a complete diagnosis in their home country. This is due to the fact that many hospitals in the CIS countries do not have the technical capabilities to provide a 100% accurate diagnosis, which is possible at Top Ihilov.
Three days are allocated for diagnosis, and the treatment process begins immediately after it.
First Day
On the day the patient arrives in Israel, a consultation with an oncologist takes place. The doctor conducts an examination and studies the medical history.
Second Day
Investigations are conducted:
- Blood tests (general, biochemistry, tumour markers)
- Hormonal studies
- Biopsy with subsequent histological examination
- CT or MRI
- PET-CT (a new type of study that allows for the detection of cancer at an early stage and the smallest metastases)
- Ultrasound
- Endoscopic examination
Third Day
On this day, a medical council takes place, where groups of specialist doctors, after reviewing the examination data, develop a strategy and tactics for therapy.
For those patients who cannot come to the clinic, there is an opportunity to receive a video consultation (second opinion from a specialist). This is a budget-friendly option to check how accurately the diagnosis was made and the treatment prescribed by doctors in their home country. Video consultations are conducted by leading doctors of the clinic who have extensive experience in NET therapy. The doctor not only reviews the treatment but also offers a therapy plan that includes the most effective and modern methods. To receive the second opinion service, the patient must submit a request on the clinic's website.
Cost of Treatment for Neuroendocrine Tumours in Israel
The option of treatment in Israel is not only an opportunity to receive the most modern therapy but also to spend less money on treatment. In countries with similarly developed healthcare systems, prices are 30-50% higher, while the quality is the same. The cost depends on the type of tumour, its location, and the stage of the disease - these factors determine the choice of treatment tactics.
Advantages of Treatment at Top Ihilov
- Leading clinic with the most knowledgeable and experienced doctors.
- 100% accuracy of diagnostic studies.
- Individual approach to therapy selection.
- Gentle therapy options.
- Innovative methods that provide high effectiveness.