Squamous cell carcinoma is among the oncological diseases characterized by moderate aggressiveness, slow growth, and the development of metastasis. Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma in Israel is mostly performed surgically in conjunction with innovative methods such as photodynamic therapy, electrocoagulation, laser therapy, and cryodestruction. The use of modern techniques allows for the removal of the oncological formation in a minimally invasive and gentle manner, ensuring quick recovery and a positive prognosis. After undergoing therapy in Israel, more than 70% of patients have been cured of the pathology or achieved stable long-term remission.
Israeli clinics are equipped with the latest technology, allowing for accurate diagnostics at early stages of the disease, which is one of the essential conditions for successful treatment. The diagnosis and therapy of oncological diseases are performed by doctors with the highest qualifications and many years of experience. Many Israeli oncologists have earned a well-deserved reputation worldwide, actively engaging in scientific work and consulting specialists from other countries. Moreover, the cost of treatment in Israeli clinics is significantly lower than in Western Europe and the USA, attracting many medical tourists each year.
How Treatment of Various Types of Squamous Cell Carcinoma is Conducted
The squamous cell type of oncological diseases affects many internal organs, but most often, such a malignant process develops on the skin, cervix, lungs, esophagus, and larynx. Various causes of the pathology have been studied, the main ones being prolonged exposure to toxic compounds, the papillomavirus, and some others.
All types of squamous cell carcinoma primarily require surgical treatment, which in Israeli clinics is performed through organ-preserving surgical interventions. Such minimally invasive surgical procedures are characterized by low trauma, a low likelihood of postoperative complications, and a short and easily tolerated recovery period for patients. Additionally, surgeries performed laparoscopically or endoscopically leave no postoperative scars or other cosmetic defects, which is particularly important in cases of skin oncological diseases. The best confirmation of the effectiveness of surgical treatment conducted in Israel is the feedback from patients who have undergone therapy.
Various methods are used to treat the main types of squamous cell oncopathologies.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
One of the most commonly encountered and least aggressive types of skin oncological diseases. When diagnosed at early stages, cure or formation of stable remission can be achieved in more than 75-80% of patients.
- Surgical treatment is the primary type of therapy for this type of oncopathology used in Israeli clinics. In addition to traditional surgical intervention methods, specialists at Israeli medical centers professionally perform Mohs surgery. During this procedure, the tumour is removed layer by layer, with each layer undergoing careful microscopic analysis. This method allows for the avoidance of excessive removal of healthy tissues. Surgical therapy using this technique is conducted in cases of removing the primary oncological formation or when diagnosing a recurrence of skin malignancy.
- Laser therapy involves the destruction of the tumour through laser radiation and is indicated for oncopathology with a low risk.
- Cryotherapy involves treating the oncological formation and approximately 2 centimeters of surrounding healthy tissues with liquid nitrogen, causing the destruction of malignant cells through freezing.
- Electrocoagulation involves burning the tumour using electric current.
- Photodynamic therapy involves administering a photosensitizing drug to the patient, which accumulates in malignant cells and increases their sensitivity to light waves. The oncological formation is then irradiated with a laser. This method is characterized by virtually no cosmetic defects.
- Immunotherapy involves the use of drugs that stimulate the antitumor activity of the patient's immune system.
- Local treatment of the oncological formation with cytostatic chemotherapeutic agents in the form of gels or ointments.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix
Accounts for about two-thirds of all oncological diseases of the cervix.
- Surgical treatment is often performed in Israeli clinics with a focus on organ-preserving surgery, preserving the woman's ability to carry and give birth to a child, as this type of oncopathology is frequently diagnosed in younger patients. In the early stages, conization is performed — removal of the tumour and the affected area of the cervix, or trachelectomy — removal of the affected cervix while preserving the uterus. In later stages, hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) is performed, possibly in combination with the removal of the ovaries and surrounding tissues.
- Chemotherapy — platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents are used in conjunction with surgical treatment in the later stages of the oncological disease.
- Immune (targeted) therapy — involves the use of monoclonal antibody drugs, vaccine therapy, and adaptive T-cell therapy.
- Radiotherapy — both traditional external beam radiation and brachytherapy — the introduction of a high-dose radioactive source directly into the oncological formation are used.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Lungs
In the early stages of this type of lung oncopathology, painful symptoms are poorly expressed, the pathological focus increases slowly, and with effective therapy, stable remission is formed in an average of 75-80% of patients.
- Surgical treatment — the type of surgical intervention is chosen based on the location of the oncological formation. Lobectomy (removal of the lobe of the lung involved in the malignant process) and pneumonectomy (removal of the entire lung) are performed.
- Chemotherapy — in most cases, platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents are used.
- Targeted therapy — in advanced stages, therapy is conducted using EGFR inhibitors.
- Radiotherapy — indicated in cases of inoperable tumours, brachytherapy (the radiation source is placed near the tumour) or IGRT (image-guided radiation therapy, indicated for radiation therapy of moving organs, characterized by minimal damage to healthy tissues) is recommended.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Esophagus
- Surgical treatment — during laparoscopic surgery, the affected area of the mucosa is usually removed, or esophagectomy (removal of the fragment of the esophagus involved in the malignant process) is performed.
- Chemotherapy — indicated in the later stages of the disease, conducted using platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Larynx
- Surgical treatment — traditional methods of surgical intervention or radiosurgery are indicated; in cases of complete removal of the larynx, a procedure aimed at restoring the organ is indicated, ensuring the preservation of swallowing and speech functions.
- Chemotherapy — prescribed for the treatment of advanced stages of the oncological disease.
- Targeted therapy — the use of EGFR inhibitors significantly increases the chances of achieving stable remission and preventing recurrences.
In 2020, Israeli clinics began using an innovative method of brachytherapy — AlphaDaRT therapy. This method significantly reduces or completely eliminates the oncological formation in 70-75% of cases.
How the Diagnosis of This Type of Oncological Disease is Conducted
In Israeli clinics, comprehensive diagnostics and the development of an individual treatment program typically take no more than three days.
First Day
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient is directed to a primary consultation with the attending physician. During the appointment, the specialist talks with the patient, learns about their complaints, assesses the manifest signs of pathology, and conducts a physical examination. The necessary examinations are then assigned to the patient.
Second Day
Completion of the assigned examinations:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- blood test for specific tumor markers;
- visual methods (X-ray, CT, PET-CT, MRI) — allow for the detection of the tumour, clearly defining its size, shape, and location);
- biopsy — sampling of pathologically altered tissues followed by histological analysis, conducted to determine the histotype of the oncological formation.
Third Day
A consultation involving the attending physician and specialized experts reviews the results of the examinations, makes a final diagnosis, and develops a comprehensive treatment program.
How Much Does Treatment of This Type of Oncopathology Cost
The cost of diagnostics and therapy in Israeli clinics is 30-50% lower than in Western European and American medical centers of comparable levels.
- High level of physician qualifications.
- Accurate diagnostics using the latest equipment.
- Use of gentle modern treatment methods.
- Utilization of the latest generation drugs.
- Affordable prices.
- Timely diagnostics and the assignment of an effective treatment program are essential for successful therapy of oncological diseases. Therefore, do not waste precious time, choose a clinic, and undergo comprehensive antitumor treatment.