The success of treating malignant lesions of the hematopoietic system depends on a number of factors. These include the timeliness of diagnosis, the therapeutic methods used, the level of professionalism of the treating physicians, and many others. Thanks to the exceptional accuracy and promptness of all investigations, the application of state-of-the-art anti-tumour drugs, and the unique clinical experience of the specialists at the Top Ihilov Medical Center, truly impressive results are achieved.
While in many other countries, the 5-year survival rates for patients do not exceed 50-60%, in Israel, a stable long-term remission is achieved in more than 90% of patients. For the doctors at the clinic, blood cancer is not a death sentence, but a challenge that they accept even in the most difficult situations. The application of an individualized comprehensive approach and advanced therapeutic methods allows them to prove that the disease can be successfully fought. The main thing is to start treatment on time and to trust this matter to truly good specialists. The doctors at Top Ihilov are just such specialists. Every year, the oncologists of the clinic save the lives of thousands of people, for which they are rightly considered among the best not only in Israel but also in the whole world.
Advanced Treatment Methods for Acute Leukemia in Israel
Since the disease is characterized by very rapid progression and aggressive course, the doctors at the Top Ihilov Medical Center begin treatment immediately after the diagnosis is confirmed. The therapy methods in each case are determined depending on the type of leukemia (myeloid or lymphoblastic), the extent of the oncological process, the age of the patient, and the overall health status.
Treatment is usually conducted in 3 stages. The first stage is induction, aimed at destroying the maximum number of mutated blood cells and ensuring the onset of remission. The second stage is consolidation, during which residual cancer cells are destroyed and the prevention of central nervous system damage is carried out. The third and final stage is maintenance therapy. It helps to consolidate the achieved result and prevent disease recurrence.
- Chemotherapy. Cytostatic and cytotoxic drugs can be used at all stages of leukemia treatment. The highest doses are used in the induction phase, and the drugs can be administered not only intravenously for systemic effects on the body but also regionally (for example, into the cerebrospinal fluid to prevent the spread of malignant cells to the spinal and brain). In some cases, the parallel use of corticosteroids and other medications is practiced. At the other stages, chemotherapy helps to fight residual cancer cells and thus curb further disease progression.
- Israeli specialists have also developed a unique method called “Trojan Horse.” It involves the use of synthetic analogues of the amino acid asparagine with cytostatics, which can bypass the masking mechanism of cancer cells and thereby destroy them from within. Side effects from chemotherapy are minimized. At Top Ihilov, next-generation anti-tumour agents with reduced toxicity to healthy cells are used, making treatment courses much easier for patients.
- Targeted therapy. Monoclonal antibodies are considered one of the most effective means of combating acute leukemia. They have the ability to detect mutated blood cells and specifically destroy them without causing any negative impact on the body. Due to their high efficacy and lack of side effects, targeted therapy is in some cases the best alternative to chemotherapy – this is evidenced by numerous reviews on the treatment of acute leukemia.
- Immunotherapy. An advanced method of treating blood cancer aimed at stimulating the patient’s own anti-tumour immunity. This involves the use of drugs based on interleukin and interferon, monoclonal antibodies, as well as other types of biological agents that help the body identify atypical cells and fight them independently.
- One of the most significant discoveries of the last decade is CAR-T cell therapy. T-lymphocytes are isolated from the patient’s blood using apheresis, genetically modified, and reintroduced into the bloodstream. Infusions of these synthesized drugs contribute to the destruction of atypical cells and the formation of a stable natural immunity, thereby minimizing the risks of disease recurrence.
- Radiation therapy. Only those areas where large accumulations of malignant cells have been found or secondary tumours have formed (most often lymph nodes, spleen, liver) are subjected to radiation. At Top Ihilov, the latest models of linear accelerators are installed, allowing for the minimization of negative impacts on healthy tissues and effectively destroying neoplasms even in hard-to-reach locations.
- Bone marrow transplantation. Since high-dose chemotherapy can damage not only cancer cells but also healthy ones, many patients experience disruptions in hematopoiesis after undergoing intensive treatment. Bone marrow transplantation (both donor and harvested from the patient during remission) helps restore these processes. The Top Ihilov clinic has created the best conditions for this procedure, so it is not accompanied by any complications and, in most cases, yields positive results.
Diagnosis of Acute Leukemia in Israel
Thanks to the use of the latest diagnostic equipment and short turnaround times for all investigations, diagnoses at Top Ihilov are established not only with 100% accuracy but also as quickly as possible. Typically, it takes the clinic's doctors no more than three days to do this.
To clarify the diagnosis made in their home country, patients can also take advantage of the “Second Opinion” service. There is no need to travel to Israel – it is enough to send copies of all diagnostic results to the chosen specialist, who will analyze them and provide his conclusion in the format of a video consultation via Skype. If a repeat examination is required directly at the clinic, the first appointment will be conducted free of charge.
Day 1. Examination and Consultation
A leading oncologist examines the patient. The doctor clarifies complaints, studies the medical history and other medical documentation, and then determines the list of other necessary tests.
Day 2. Undergoing Investigations
The following procedures may be assigned to establish an accurate diagnosis:
- Comprehensive blood tests.
- Cerebrospinal fluid puncture.
- Biopsy.
- Ultrasound.
- CT, MRI, PET-CT.
- Flow cytometry.
- Immunophenotyping and others.
Day 3. Expert Conclusion
After receiving the diagnostic results, the treating physician convenes colleagues for a consultation. At this meeting, leading oncologists and other specialized experts determine the exact diagnosis and develop an individual treatment program for the patient.
Cost of Acute Leukemia Treatment in Israel
Israeli clinics attract patients from abroad not only due to high-quality medical services but also due to a fairly democratic pricing policy. For comparison, in the United States and European Union countries, similar services cost approximately 20-45% more. The cost of treating acute leukemia in Israel can be determined only after undergoing examinations, as specific therapy methods are determined based on the results of comprehensive diagnostics.
Advantages of Treatment at Top Ihilov
- First-class oncologists with invaluable practical experience and impeccable reputation.
- Maximally fast and accurate diagnostics.
- Availability of the latest generation anti-tumour drugs and other innovative means of combating blood cancer, which allow for the best results.
- Significant savings: the cost of treating acute leukemia in Israel is approximately one-third lower than in Germany or the USA.
- Prompt resolution of all organizational and everyday issues – patients from abroad are accompanied by personal curators-translators, who make their stay in the clinic as comfortable as possible.
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