Professor Thomas SpitzerHead of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery of the Head and Neck
Jaw cancer in Israel is treated using the most advanced conservative and surgical techniques. First, the patient who comes to the clinic undergoes a comprehensive examination. Doctors determine the type and characteristics of the tumour using modern high-precision equipment, and then select a treatment protocol.
At the Ichilov Medical Center, oncologists closely monitor global trends in the development of new therapies for malignant pathologies of the head and neck, actively applying innovative types of surgical operations, effective systemic chemotherapy regimens, and new radiation therapy protocols.
Current Methods
As first-line therapy, various types of surgical interventions are performed. The choice of surgical technique is determined by the location of the neoplasm.
Lower Jaw Cancer Treatment in Israel
The main type of surgical treatment is mandibulectomy. During the operation, the doctor removes part of the lower jaw. The intervention is performed under general anesthesia. After the operation, reconstruction is mandatory. This procedure involves the transplantation of vascularized bone grafts (fragments of bone taken from other parts of the body) and skin flaps. Typically, the patient can leave the clinic 10-14 days after the operation.
In some cases, reconstruction is performed using distraction osteogenesis. The surgeon makes an incision on one of the remaining parts of the jaw, which stimulates tissue formation. Special devices apply a stretching compressive load to these tissues. Gradually, the missing section of the jaw heals with bone tissue.
If pathological tissues could not be completely removed through surgical intervention, radiation therapy sessions are conducted. The patient is irradiated on a linear accelerator — a device that generates a beam of ionizing radiation. Modern machines of this type have high precision and allow irradiation of the neoplasm without affecting healthy tissues.
Malignant tumours of the head and neck often accompany the spread of the pathological process to the cervical lymph nodes. In such cases, lymph node resection (lymphadenectomy) is performed. This operation prevents the metastasis of pathological foci to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system.
Chemotherapeutic agents may also be used — medications that stop the growth and division of cancer cells. Therapy is conducted in cycles, with several days for recovery between them.
Treatment of Upper Jaw Neoplasms
The most common surgical procedure is surgical resection — the operation is called maxillectomy and involves partial removal of the affected structures of the jaw. There are several techniques for performing such interventions, which involve resection of varying volumes of upper jaw tissues. The defect created after the operation is closed using skin flaps. When the wound heals, reconstruction is performed using bone grafts. In some cases, missing fragments of the jaw are replaced with an artificial implant.
Rehabilitation after such operations takes varying amounts of time. In the simplest case, when only a small part of the tissues has been removed, only a few hours of observation may be required (for example, after transnasal medial maxillectomy). However, in general, recovery time takes several days. If reconstructive surgery is planned, the total hospitalization time may take up to two weeks.
As additional treatment methods, radiation therapy and courses of systemic chemotherapy may be prescribed. These types of therapy are used to destroy remaining cancer cells after resection.
Numerous positive reviews about jaw cancer treatment in Israel confirm the high qualifications of oncologists and maxillofacial surgery specialists, as well as the effectiveness of the therapies used.
Diagnosis
You can get a complete understanding of what types of examinations you will need to undergo even at the preparatory stage, while you are at home. In our clinic, doctors often conduct remote video consultations with patients via Skype. The doctor is in Israel, and you are at home. During the video call, you can ask the specialist any questions regarding diagnosis and therapy. When you arrive at the clinic, as a bonus, the first consultation will be free for you. Typically, the examination takes three to four days and includes several types of diagnostics.
First Day — Consultation
Upon meeting your coordinator at the airport, you will go for your first appointment with the doctor. The coordinator performs several functions — they are responsible for the transfer to the medical center, translate your medical documents, coordinate the doctors, and assist you with any other questions. During the consultation, the specialist in head and neck cancer treatment conducts a primary examination and plans the examination program.
Second Day — Examinations
- X-ray.
- PET-CT.
- Magnetic resonance or computed tomography.
- Biopsy of pathological tissues.
- Histopathological analysis.
- Molecular genetic diagnostics.
Third Day — Medical Board
After completing all examinations, the doctors gather for a medical board — a medical commission tasked with establishing the exact type of neoplasm and selecting the optimal treatment strategy. After this, the patient is prepared for treatment.
How Much Does Jaw Cancer Treatment Cost in Israel
The price for jaw cancer treatment in Israel varies and is determined by the type of neoplasm, the extent of the pathological process, and several other factors. Generally, procedures in Israeli clinics are much cheaper than in medical centers in the USA or Europe, and patients can save up to 40-45% of their funds here.
Advantages of Jaw Cancer Treatment at Top Ichilov
- Specialists in oncology and maxillofacial surgery with extensive clinical experience. On average, each doctor has 10 or more years of clinical practice. Many specialists hold academic degrees and conduct their own research in the search for new therapeutic approaches to oncopathologies.
- Diagnostics are performed using modern equipment. With high-precision laboratory techniques, doctors can determine the exact type of neoplasm in the shortest possible time.
- A wide range of effective procedures — various options for surgical resection of tumour tissues, modern devices for radiation therapy, comprehensive chemotherapy regimens, and reconstructive interventions.
- The patient receives comprehensive assistance from a personally assigned translator-coordinator. The clinic's medical staff is well-trained, responsive, and attentive to each patient.
Provide your contact details — our staff will contact you and schedule your treatment at the clinic.