Treatment of Lung Cancer in Israel: The Most Modern Effective Methods

Professor Issachar Ben Dov

leading pulmonologist

At the Ichilov clinic, many years of experience have been accumulated in the treatment of various types of cancer, including those that are aggressive and grow rapidly, such as lung cancer. Thanks to an innovative approach to diagnostics, oncologists are able to identify oncopathology within a few days, determine its individual characteristics, and select the optimal treatment program. As a result of personalized treatment, the neoplasm is removed, the process of cancer spread throughout the body is halted, and remission is achieved. The clinic's doctors manage to prevent recurrences in 40% of cases without surgery and maintain organ functionality. Their arsenal includes both traditional, well-established methods and innovative therapeutic techniques. The combination of these ensures a lasting result, allowing the patient to return to a full life. Reviews of lung cancer treatment in Israel indicate that even in cases where the disease is advanced, it is possible to restore the patient's normal quality of life and achieve remission.

38%

of diagnoses of "lung cancer" made in the CIS are not confirmed at Top Ichilov

1024

patients cured with conservative methods

1324

patients cured without chemotherapy

Get prices at the clinic

Table of Contents

Treatment Methods

Diagnostics

Prices

Treatment is conducted by top-category oncologists, doctors with many years of experience who are skilled in new therapeutic techniques. Although the quality of their treatment is as high as that in clinics in Germany, Austria, or the USA, the cost of lung cancer treatment in Israel is lower.

Treatment of Lung Cancer in Israeli Clinics: Current Methods

The choice of treatment methods depends on the size of the pathological focus, its location (in the upper bronchial tree or in its lower sections), the type of cancer cells (small cell or non-small cell). The patient's age and existing comorbidities are also taken into account. Typically, several methods are used in combination.

Cryodestruction. In cases where a small neoplasm is detected that is clearly localized in the large bronchi, it can be removed using a minimally invasive method that has no complications. Extremely low temperatures cause instant tissue necrosis and destroy the small vessels supplying the neoplasm. Liquid nitrogen is used for the procedure: it is delivered by a special cryoprobe to the site of the pathology and applied very precisely to the tumor.

PDT. This minimally invasive laser therapy method is recognized as effective and safe for healthy bronchial tissues. Before the procedure, a photosensitizing solution is introduced into the affected tissues (making the cells hypersensitive to light). This substance accumulates only in the cancer-affected tissues. Then, these tissues are precisely exposed to a laser beam, which literally vaporizes them, destroying the disease focus. No toxic side reactions from the breakdown products of the neoplasm are detected; the photosensitive substance is eliminated from the body naturally without any harm to the patient.

Chemotherapy. Cytostatic drugs are distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream, destroying cancer cells in various parts. If the metastasis process has already begun or there is a high likelihood of it, systemic chemotherapy is prescribed. Chemotherapy can also be an optimal option to reduce tumor mass before surgery and make it more resectable, as well as after surgery to prevent recurrence. At Top Ichilov, new-generation drugs are prescribed – they have fewer side effects; after a course of chemotherapy, the patient feels better than after taking most other chemotherapeutic agents.

Radiotherapy. It can be applied both in the early stages and in cases of extensive spread of bronchopulmonary cancer. For example, before performing a tumor resection surgery, a course of radiotherapy is prescribed to reduce the size of the neoplasm. After surgery, irradiating the area where the tumor was located allows for the destruction of residual cancer cells. If surgical treatment is not performed due to the impossibility of surgically removing the neoplasm, radiotherapy can serve as the primary means of therapy. The linear accelerators used for sessions at Ichilov are state-of-the-art devices that provide precise radiation targeting.

In addition to traditional radiotherapy, brachytherapy may be used – a method of local irradiation. A microcapsule containing radioactive material is inserted directly into the tissue of the neoplasm. When it decays, a local, very precise negative effect on the neoplasm tissues occurs. After this procedure, the patient may require galvanic acoustics (diathermy) – a procedure that restores the lumen of the bronchi by applying high-frequency current to the tissues.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatment. An innovative treatment method, one of the types of targeted therapy – affecting cancer at the cellular level. Monoclonal antibodies in the drugs have the ability to identify cancer cells and send a signal to the immune system, allowing for an immune response to be formed. Thus, the immune system "learns" to identify and destroy potentially dangerous cells. This method has proven effective in fighting cancer at any stage.

Surgery. The extent of surgical intervention depends on both the size of the neoplasm and its location. Whenever possible, surgeons prefer minimally invasive surgery: instead of a wide chest incision, several small incisions are made. If a positive result cannot be achieved with minimally invasive surgery, an open surgery is performed. In cases of small organ lesions, it may be possible to partially preserve the organ by performing a partial resection of the bronchi. In other cases, a bronchiectomy is performed – the removal of the entire affected bronchus.

Diagnostics

The short time frame for diagnostics at the clinic allows for treatment to begin as soon as possible, which is very important for an aggressive tumor like lung cancer. Diagnostic procedures take only three days.

First Day

Consultation with an oncopulmonologist at the clinic.

Second Day

Completion of all necessary examinations:

• Laboratory blood tests (for tumor markers, biochemistry, genetic testing)
• Laboratory urine tests
• Biopsy with subsequent histology (revision of slides may be performed)
• Spiral CT
• PET-CT
• Scintigraphy.

Third Day

Establishment of an accurate diagnosis based on the conducted analyses and planning of treatment. The therapy program is approved at a medical council.

For patients who cannot come to the clinic for treatment, a consultation via Skype can be conducted – to obtain an independent opinion from a doctor. The results of this consultation (the conclusions of the Israeli expert regarding the correctness of the diagnosis and treatment) can be used to improve the quality of treatment in their home country. Additionally, a doctor from Ichilov prepares a therapy program that includes the most progressive methods. If, after the video consultation, a person decides to be treated at Ichilov, the first examination upon arrival will be free.

How Much Does Lung Cancer Treatment Cost in Israel

Advantages of Treatment at Top Ichilov

• Possibility of 100% diagnostics
• Use of advanced and effective types of therapy
• Most gentle nature of treatment
• Highly qualified oncologists
• Moderate price.

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