At the Top Ichilov clinic, successful treatment of various types of oncological formations is conducted, even those that are difficult to treat, such as neuroendocrine tumors. 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 tumors (NET) and the symptoms are vague. Top Ichilov has modern high-precision diagnostic equipment that allows for 100% accuracy in confirming or refuting the presence of an oncological process. The therapy for NET utilizes the most modern international protocols and methods, the effectiveness of which is confirmed. The innovative approach to therapy at Top Ichilov is that oncologists prefer the most modern, minimally invasive treatment methods, which are, nevertheless, 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 Tumors in Israel
Since NET 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 NET may be ineffective or too risky for treating pituitary NET. The extent of the cancer process is also taken into account. A neuroendocrine tumor 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 tumor focus is the most preferred treatment method, complemented by others for a more sustainable therapeutic effect. The location and size of the NET dictate the method of surgery. Typically, oncologists 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. Thus, for NET in the abdominal cavity, laparoscopic surgery can be performed with punctures in the abdominal area, and for lung NET – with punctures in the rib area, and so on. This method allows for minimal blood loss, reduces the risk of infection, and minimizes postoperative recovery time.
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 impossible to access with a regular scalpel, tumor removal is performed with maximum precision, without damaging healthy tissues. The robotic surgeon is controlled by the treating surgeon, who monitors actions on a monitor that provides 30x magnification.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery. The removal of neuroendocrine tumors 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, when 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 pancreatic, pituitary, and lung NET. 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 the strong dose directed only at the pathological focus. 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 devices, Novalis or TrueBeam STx linear accelerators, which generate radiation beams with maximum precision (up to 0.5 mm), allowing for the avoidance of irradiating healthy tissues. Brachytherapy is also used, where a radioactive substance is placed directly into the tumor tissue. Gradually releasing, the ionizing radiation affects atypical cells much more effectively. Radioactive substances can be placed in microcapsules that are delivered to the tumor tissues via a special catheter or injected with a special needle.
Chemotherapy. This may be used as a standalone method or in combination with radiotherapy or surgical treatment. It effectively combats metastases throughout the body. Because the Top Ichilov 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 administration of the chemotherapeutic agent during the operation, after tumor resection. This allows doctors to gain additional guarantees that all cancer cells are destroyed and increases the duration of remission.
Hormone Therapy for neuroendocrine tumors is used to block the production of the hormone that promotes the development and growth of the tumor. It is also used to alleviate severe symptoms.
Targeted Therapy. This is a new direction in cancer treatment that has already shown high results in treating NET. Its essence is that the drugs act very precisely, only on cancer cells. A large group of drugs is used, which work in different ways. For example, some of them influence 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, as well as 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.
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Diagnosis
At Top Ichilov, before starting treatment, an examination is mandatory, even if the patient has undergone a complete diagnosis in their home country. This is because many hospitals in the CIS countries do not have the technical capabilities to make a 100% accurate diagnosis, which is possible at Top Ichilov.
Three days are allocated for diagnosis, and treatment 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, tumor 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, having reviewed the examination data, develop a strategy and tactics for therapy.
For those patients who cannot come to the clinic, there is an option to receive a video consultation (second opinion from a specialist). This is a budget-friendly option to verify 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 treating NET. 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 Tumors 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 medicine, prices are 30-50% higher, while the quality is the same. The cost depends on the type of tumor, its location, and the stage of the disease - these factors determine the choice of treatment tactics.
Advantages of Treatment at Top Ichilov
- 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.