In recent years, Israel has confidently led among countries popular with medical tourists. Many foreign patients annually turn to Israeli clinics for the diagnosis and treatment of various rare diseases. The highest level of qualification and many years of experience allows specialists in the medical centers of this country to achieve positive results and provide a favorable prognosis even in the most severe cases. Cardiology centers often receive patients with rhabdomyoma — one of the most commonly encountered benign tumours of the heart. Treatment of cardiac rhabdomyoma in Israel is conducted according to a comprehensive program tailored individually for each patient. In the early stages of the disease, it is possible to achieve complete recovery in 96-98% of patients.
Timely detection of pathology is often complicated by the asymptomatic course of the early stages of the disease, when the patient does not experience characteristic painful signs. Modern high-tech equipment available in the diagnostic departments of Israeli clinics allows for the accurate localization and measurement of the neoplasm at early stages in a short time, to exclude malignant nature, and to determine some other indicators. Thanks to the results obtained, it is possible to prevent the progression of the pathology and develop the most effective treatment program. The moderate cost of therapy is also attractive, significantly lower than in Europe and the USA, and accessible for medical tourists.
Current Treatment Methods for the Disease
Rhabdomyoma is a benign neoplasm that develops from the striated muscle tissue of the heart. Despite numerous studies, the exact causes of the pathology are still unknown; however, specialists believe that hereditary factors play a major role. Rhabdomyoma is usually detected in younger children, with newborns accounting for 58% of all heart neoplasms. The high likelihood of harm to the developing organism of the child requires a particularly careful and gentle approach to treatment.
Even considering that rhabdomyoma is among benign neoplasms and the likelihood of its malignant transformation is extremely low, specialists do not recommend delaying the start of treatment. Without adequate therapy, complications develop that not only hinder the normal growth and development of the child but can also be extremely dangerous. The most common complications of the disease include chronic heart failure, various types of arrhythmia, and several other serious cardiopathologies.
Considering the localization and some other features of the neoplasm, the methods of therapy chosen in Israeli clinics are most often surgical. If the patient does not exhibit clinical symptoms, surgical removal of the neoplasm is not indicated. In such cases, medication support therapy and regular monitoring are prescribed for timely diagnosis of disease progression.
Medication Therapy
As symptomatic treatment, courses of medications are prescribed in cases of developing and progressing arrhythmia and heart failure. The action of cardiotropic drugs is aimed at eliminating intracardiac hemodynamics, other pronounced heart function disorders, and normalizing the patient's condition. In some cases, the prescribed medications prevent the increase in the size of the rhabdomyoma, gradually leading to a significant reduction in the size of the neoplasm, thereby excluding the need for surgical intervention.
Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and diuretics are most commonly used in medication treatment.
Surgical Treatment
This is the primary and most effective method of treating the pathology. Highly qualified Israeli cardiac surgeons perform the removal of neoplasms localized in the heart muscle without damaging healthy tissues of the organ. The volume of surgical intervention depends on the size and number of tumours and their location in various parts of the heart. This information is obtained through comprehensive diagnostic examination.
The size and localization of the neoplasm also influence the choice of minimally invasive or open surgical methods. Israeli clinics prefer minimally invasive surgical interventions that do not require large incisions, characterized by a low probability of bleeding and postoperative complications, and a short and uncomplicated recovery period. In medical centers in Israel, exceptionally precise cardiac surgical procedures are performed on modern equipment.
After the excision of the neoplasm, samples of the tumour tissues are necessarily sent to the laboratory for histological analysis. If the benign nature is confirmed, after the postoperative recovery period and normalization of well-being, the patient is discharged from the clinic. In the case of diagnosing malignant transformation, further treatment procedures aimed at preventing the development of recurrence are prescribed.
Numerous positive reviews from patients are dedicated to the effective treatment of rhabdomyoma in Israeli clinics. Since recurrence of rhabdomyoma is extremely rare, with successful removal of the entire volume of the tumour, regular monitoring, and adherence to certain rules (moderate physical activity, established dietary regimen), the patient fully recovers and can forget about the disease forever.
How the Diagnosis of the Disease is Conducted
The modern equipment of Israeli clinics allows for a precise diagnosis and determination of the characteristics of the neoplasm necessary for choosing the most effective treatment methods in just a few days.
First Day
During the initial consultation, the attending cardiologist reviews the patient's medical history, studies the available medical documentation, conducts a physical examination, and prescribes necessary examinations.
Second Day
Completion of prescribed examinations, including:
- general and biochemical blood tests;
- electrocardiography;
- echocardiography (ultrasound examination of the heart);
- visual examination methods (CT, PET-CT, MRI);
- angiography of the heart vessels;
- biopsy.
Third Day
A medical council, consisting of a cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, and several narrow-profile specialists, studies the obtained examination results, makes a final diagnosis, and develops a treatment program.
How Much Does Treatment of the Disease Cost
The final cost is determined after the patient undergoes diagnostic examination and treatment is prescribed. In general, the cost of treatment in Israeli clinics is 30-50% lower than in Western European and American medical centers of the corresponding level.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High level of qualification of doctors and vast experience in treating cardiopathologies.
- Maximally accurate and rapid diagnosis.
- Professional conduct of minimally invasive surgical interventions, characterized by a low probability of complications and a short recovery period.
- Use of gentle treatment methods.
- Affordable prices.
The diagnosis of "heart tumour" is not a sentence. With effective treatment, almost all patients fully recover. So do not delay, choose a clinic, and entrust your child's health to highly qualified cardiology specialists.