Pancreatic head cancer is one of the most aggressive malignant diseases, with a high risk of complications and limited survival rates. Treatment of pancreatic head cancer in Israel involves precise and rapid diagnosis, individualized selection of methods, and a comprehensive approach by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Clinics in the country perform minimally invasive surgical operations, apply high-precision radiation therapy methods in combination with chemotherapy. Special attention is given to palliative care aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients.
Foreign patients appreciate Israel for its clear organization of the treatment process, rapid diagnostic examinations, and the development of a personalized therapeutic program. Reviews also mention assistance in resolving organizational issues, which is provided by a companion throughout the treatment course. The high qualifications of Israeli specialists, access to modern diagnostic and treatment methods, as well as transparent pricing make Israel a preferred destination for patients with pancreatic cancer.
About the Disease
Pancreatic head cancer is among the most aggressive oncological diseases, with a very negative prognosis. The tumour grows rapidly, metastasizes actively, and the five-year survival rate among patients is minimal.
The main causes of the disease include:
- poor diet high in animal fats;
- excessive alcohol consumption, smoking;
- diabetes mellitus;
- chronic inflammation of the digestive organs (pancreas, gallbladder);
- exposure to chemical toxins.
Clinical signs of the disease, especially in its early stages, are nonspecific. The main symptoms include:
- pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the back;
- weight loss;
- dyspeptic disorders;
- loss of appetite;
- jaundice;
- weakness.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Israeli clinics rely on international NCCN and ESMO protocols, applying modern surgical and conservative methods. The comprehensive treatment program at Ichilov Clinic is built considering the stage of the disease, the location of the tumour, the overall condition of the patient, and the possibility of performing radical surgery. The main goal is to prolong the patient's life, improve its quality, and effectively control symptoms.
Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy)
The Whipple procedure is a surgical method for removing the tumour, permissible only when the disease is diagnosed at an early stage and there is no evidence of malignant process spread. It involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, a portion of the duodenum, the bile duct along with part of the gallbladder, and in some cases, part of the stomach.
The peculiarity of the method is that it requires highly qualified surgeons and careful preoperative staging of the neoplasm, as well as assessment of the degree of involvement of the mesenteric vessels. Additionally, preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy is desirable to reduce the size of the tumour and increase its resectability. At Ichilov Clinic, the Whipple procedure is mostly performed laparoscopically, which is characterized by minimal blood loss, low risk of complications, and a short recovery period.
Endoscopic Interventions
Surgical interventions are used to eliminate mechanical complications that often accompany pancreatic head cancer. ERCP stenting (endoscopic placement of a stent in the bile ducts) is indicated to relieve obstructive jaundice; the advantages of the method include immediate reduction of bilirubin levels, improvement of well-being, and the possibility of further anticancer therapy, which is contraindicated in severe jaundice (radiation, chemoradiation therapy). Endoscopic gastroenterostomy or duodenal stenting is also performed in cases of tumour obstruction of the upper gastrointestinal tract, restoring the ability to eat.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used as preoperative treatment (neoadjuvant radiation therapy) to improve the patient's well-being and reduce the neoplasm, significantly facilitating its surgical resection. Radiation therapy sessions also help alleviate pain, relieve bile ducts in cases of obstruction, and stabilize the patient's condition overall.
At Ichilov Clinic, irradiation is performed using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which allows targeting the tumour tissues with high precision while minimally affecting adjacent organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines. The advantages of this method include a low overall toxic effect on the body, enhanced control over local tumour growth, and a pronounced analgesic effect.
Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
Stereotactic radiation therapy is prescribed for the treatment of small tumours and as a palliative method for unresectable forms. The essence of the method is that beams of ionizing radiation are directed from numerous sources to the tumour focus. At the site of the neoplasm localization, they intersect and affect it with a cumulative high dose, while the dose of each individual beam is too low to have a pronounced negative impact on surrounding normal tissues. The advantages of this method include a short course (usually no more than 3-5 sessions), rapid alleviation of symptoms, and the ability to apply it even with limited patient mobility.
Chemotherapy
It is used independently in cases of metastatic processes and pronounced progression as a palliative method. At Ichilov Clinic, effective types of chemotherapy drugs are selected considering their tolerability by the weakened patient’s body. In Israel, low-toxicity chemotherapy drugs of the latest generations are used, combining high efficacy with a gentle impact on the body, without the formation of traditional strong side effects. The goal of the chemotherapy course is to alleviate painful symptoms, slow the progression of the malignant process, and maximize the patient's lifespan.
Chemoradiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is the primary treatment method for unresectable tumours, with the radiosensitivity of the neoplasm significantly increasing when radiation is combined with the administration of certain chemotherapy drugs. The main objectives of such treatment are to slow further tumour growth, reduce pain syndrome, decrease the risk of local complications (such as bleeding or obstruction), and stabilize the patient's condition for as long as possible.
- Radiation Therapy
- Chemotherapy
Diagnostic Methods for the Disease
In more than 90% of cases, the correct diagnosis is made at an advanced stage of the disease, when surgical treatment becomes impossible. At Ichilov Clinic, a comprehensive examination of the patient and diagnosis takes no more than three days.
First Day
Upon the patient's arrival at the clinic, a primary consultation with the treating oncologist is conducted. The doctor examines the patient, listens to their complaints, reviews medical documentation, and prescribes necessary examinations.
Second Day
Conducting examinations:
- laboratory blood tests — general and biochemical analyses, determination of the tumour marker CA-19;
- ultrasound of the digestive organs — shows changes in the structure of the gland, dilation of the bile ducts;
- contrast multi-slice computed tomography of the abdominal cavity (CT) — one of the key methods, allows assessment of the size and shape of the tumour, the degree of vascular involvement, and detection of metastases in the liver and abdominal cavity;
- MRI and MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) — imaging techniques that allow determining the extent of the tumour process, assessing pathological changes in the bile and pancreatic ducts;
- endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) — one of the most accurate methods, allows visualizing the tumour closely, assessing the condition of the ducts and vessels, and performing fine-needle aspiration biopsy (sampling of tumour tissue for laboratory examination, considered a mandatory procedure in Israel to confirm the diagnosis);
- PET-CT — performed to detect distant metastases, assess the extent of the malignant process, and plan radiation therapy.
Third Day
The obtained results are reviewed by a medical board. After studying the information, the doctors collectively make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.
- Computed Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Diagnosis — PET CT
- Ultrasound
- Blood Biochemistry
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The cost of treatment in Israeli clinics is favorably different from the prices of similar services in many countries popular among medical tourists. The final amount is determined after the completion of therapy, and the approximate price can be obtained from the clinic consultant by contacting them at the numbers provided on the website.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Professionalism and extensive clinical experience of doctors.
- Equipping clinics with modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment.
- Application of innovative treatment methods.
- Development of an individualized therapy program.
- Reasonable prices.
Ichilov Clinic offers foreign patients the opportunity to undergo an online consultation with an Israeli doctor even before arriving in the country. Patients should discuss the conditions with the clinic consultant in advance and provide them with medical documentation. At the agreed time, the specialist contacts the patient, answers their questions, and recommends further treatment.