Ichilov (Sourasky) Oncology Institute is the central oncology division of the Sourasky Medical Center, better known to patients by its historical name "Ichilov." It is the largest public clinic in Israel, located in the heart of Tel Aviv, and its oncology institute holds the status of one of the leading in the country. Under one roof, there are departments for solid tumors, hematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation, pediatric oncology, palliative care, molecular genetic profiling laboratories, and a clinical research center. The institute is named after the Sourasky family and is closely associated with the medical faculty of Tel Aviv University, so patients are treated not by a single doctor but by an interdisciplinary team: an oncologist, surgeon, radiation therapist, pathologist, radiologist, and geneticist discuss each case at a joint consultation (Tumor Board). This is why patients from all over Israel and the CIS countries are referred to the Ichilov Oncology Institute — both the international NCCN and ESMO protocols and clinical trials of new drugs, which may take years to access in other clinics, are equally available here.
Structure of the Institute: Which Departments Operate Within
The Ichilov Oncology Institute is structured as a hub — under common management, specialized departments are gathered, each with its own head, outpatient reception, and inpatient care. This allows for a "through route" for the patient without transfers between clinics.
- Solid Tumor Department — breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gynecological and urological tumors, melanoma, sarcomas.
- Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Center — lymphomas, leukemias, myelodysplastic syndromes, multiple myeloma, autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
- Neuro-Oncology — tumors of the brain and spinal cord, metastatic CNS lesions, collaboration with the neurosurgery department.
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology — in the pediatric wing of Dana-Dwek, a separate protocol for the placement and support of children with parents.
- Radiation Therapy — state-of-the-art linear accelerators, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS/SBRT), IMRT, IGRT, brachytherapy.
- Palliative Care and Pain Clinic — support for patients at all stages, including symptomatic therapy.
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory — whole genome sequencing of tumors (NGS), selection of targeted and immunotherapy based on targets.
Send your records — an Ichilov physician will reply within 1–2 days, free of charge.
Treatment Methods
- Surgical treatment of tumors of all locations, including the robotic da Vinci system (uro-oncology, gynecology, thoracic surgery).
- Chemotherapy according to international NCCN and ESMO protocols — outpatient infusions and inpatient courses.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy — checkpoint inhibitors (PD-1/PD-L1, CTLA-4), monoclonal antibodies, conjugates.
- High-precision external beam radiation therapy: IMRT, IGRT, VMAT, stereotactic radiosurgery of the brain and body.
- Brachytherapy — contact radiation for prostate, cervical, and skin cancers.
- Bone marrow transplantation — autologous and allogeneic, including from unrelated donors.
- Molecular genetic profiling of tumors (NGS panels for 300+ genes) for personalized protocol selection.
- Clinical trials — access to experimental drugs of phases I–III, including CAR-T and bispecific antibodies.
Treatment Program — Stages
- Initial contact with the international department: collection of discharge summaries, histological blocks, CT/MRI discs, fresh blood tests.
- Review of histology in the Ichilov pathology laboratory and clarifying diagnostics — whole-body PET-CT, MRI of the targeted area, and if necessary, repeat biopsy.
- Interdisciplinary consultation (Tumor Board), where the case is discussed by a team of an oncologist, surgeon, radiation therapist, radiologist, and pathologist.
- Preparation of a personalized treatment protocol with calculations of timelines, costs, and sequence of stages.
- Active treatment phase: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy — according to the protocol. Many stages are outpatient, with inpatient care only for complex interventions.
- Control examinations and supportive therapy — assessment of tumor response, adjustment of the regimen.
- Long-term follow-up, with the possibility of remote consultations via video link after returning home.
Prices and Costs
The final estimate is formed individually — after reviewing documents and an in-person examination, because the cost depends on the tumor location, stage, volume of surgery, and list of drugs. Approximate prices for key positions are published in the clinic's open price list:
- Oncologist consultation — from 550 $, consultation with a leading professor — from 750 $, second opinion online based on documents — from 450 $.
- Diagnostic package: histology review (from 700 $), whole-body PET-CT (from 1 900 $), MRI with contrast (from 1 100 $), tumor markers (from 150 $).
- Chemotherapy course — from 1 400 $ excluding drug costs; radiation therapy — from 850 $ per session; immunotherapy and targeted therapy are calculated based on the specific drug.
- Robotic prostatectomy da Vinci — from 32 000 $; brain tumor removal with neuronavigation — from 55 000 $; bone marrow transplantation — calculated individually.
The exact estimate and payment procedure (diagnostics are paid separately, treatment is phased) are sent by the secretariat after the initial document assessment.
Leading Doctors of the Oncology Institute
In solid tumors, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are managed by Professor David Sarid (lung cancer, gastrointestinal tract, urological oncology), Professor Ilan Ron (gastrointestinal tumors), and Professor Ofer Mirimskii. They also refer patients with melanoma, sarcomas, and tumors of "unclear primary location," where the molecular profile of the tumor plays a crucial role.
The hematology-oncology and bone marrow transplantation departments are led by Professor Elizabeth Naparstek — one of the key figures in Israeli BMT, Professor Ofer Spilberg, and Dr. Odelia Gur, head of the hematology department. There is also a CAR-T therapy program for relapsed lymphomas and leukemias.
Surgical oncology is divided into specialized teams. Neuro-oncology is overseen by Dr. Felix Bukshtein and neurosurgeon Professor Tzvi Ram, who specializes in tumors of the head, neck, and base of the skull. Breast cancer surgeries are performed by Professor Moshe Papa. In urological oncology, there are Professor Chaim Matskin (prostate and bladder cancer) and Professor Jack Baniel. A complete list of specialists available for appointments can be found on the clinic's doctors page.
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions by Patients
Are there age restrictions for admission?
No. The Institute accepts adult patients of any age, as well as children — pediatric oncology operates in a separate pediatric wing of Dana-Dwek with its own inpatient unit and school for young patients. Age restrictions apply only to certain experimental protocols and bone marrow transplantation — this is decided individually at the Tumor Board.
Is a visa required for treatment?
For citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moldova, and most CIS countries, a visa-free regime is in effect for up to 90 days — this is sufficient for diagnosis and most treatment courses. If treatment lasts longer, the clinic's international department assists in extending the status through the Israeli Ministry of Interior.
What language is used to communicate with the patient?
The international department has Russian-speaking coordinators who assist the patient from the first call to discharge: document translation, scheduling appointments with doctors, explaining prescriptions. Doctors conduct consultations in English and Hebrew; there are also Russian-speaking doctors in the clinic, and upon request, you can ask for such a specialist.
How long does treatment take?
The diagnostic phase usually takes 5–7 working days from arrival: during this time, histology is reviewed, PET-CT or MRI is performed, a Tumor Board is convened, and a protocol is issued. Further timelines depend on the diagnosis: from a single surgical intervention with a week-long stay to several months of immunotherapy courses and monitoring.
Is an advance payment required before arrival?
Full prepayment for all treatment is not required. Usually, a deposit is made for the diagnostic package and the first stage of therapy, with subsequent payments made in stages — based on the procedures performed. The exact payment procedure is agreed upon along with the estimate before departure.
How to Obtain a Treatment Program
For the Ichilov Oncology Institute to prepare a personalized protocol, the international department needs: the latest medical discharge summary, histological conclusion (ideally with blocks for review), disks or links to CT, MRI, PET-CT, recent blood tests, and tumor markers. Documents can be sent as a single archive via the form on the website, WhatsApp, or to the secretariat's email — a Russian-speaking coordinator will respond within the working day, gather any missing information, and forward the materials to the relevant oncologist. Within 2–5 working days, you will receive a detailed response: a preliminary treatment plan, a list of necessary procedures in Tel Aviv, an estimated budget, and convenient appointment dates.