Israeli medicine demonstrates impressive successes in the development and implementation of highly effective methods for treating oncological diseases. In particular, methods for treating palate cancer in Israel at the Ichilov clinic yield positive results in over 95% of cases. Doctors select a therapy regimen that eliminates the disease in the most gentle way, with minimal risks and side effects.
To achieve this, the entire arsenal of modern means is used, from high-precision diagnostics to the application of innovative technologies and equipment. Reviews of palate cancer treatment confirm: in Israel, even those patients who could not be helped in clinics in other countries have a chance for a healthy and fulfilling life. Another advantage is the prices for palate cancer treatment in Israel, which are moderate.
How Palate Cancer is Treated in Israel
Oncopathology can affect both soft and hard tissues of the palate, tongue, and lymph nodes. The treatment strategy depends on the type of cancer (squamous cell carcinoma, cylindroma, adenocarcinoma), the location of the tumour, and its size. Among the entire arsenal of means, those types of therapy are selected that will be most effective in a specific case.
Radiation Therapy
Treating cancer by irradiating the tumour is considered a traditional method of combating oncopathologies. Radiation causes irreversible changes in the DNA structure of cancer cells, leading to their degradation and death. It is used as an effective adjunct during surgical treatment – to reduce the size of the neoplasm to a surgically operable size. Radiation therapy is also applied in the postoperative period – to increase the chances of achieving sustained remission and destroying residual cancer cells. If the tumour is inoperable, radiotherapy can serve as the primary means of combating cancer. Recently, Israeli clinics have been using innovative methods of radiation therapy that show good results and cause minimal harm to the body as a whole. Each of them has its advantages, and the choice of method depends on the clinical picture of the disease.
IMRT Therapy
During sessions of intensity-modulated radiation therapy, there is an opportunity to affect the tumour with beams of varying power, with the distribution of irradiation calculated to avoid harming healthy tissues and not damaging the functioning of nearby organs, such as the salivary glands. In Israel, clinics are equipped with modern linear accelerators – devices capable of targeting the tumour tissue with an accuracy of up to 0.5 mm. Linear accelerators are equipped with special controllers – devices that adjust the irradiation target with the slightest micro-movement of the patient. This guarantees that healthy tissues will not be exposed to ionizing radiation.
Brachytherapy
This method of radiation therapy is based on contact exposure to the tumour tissues. The radiation source, a microcapsule, is introduced directly into the neoplasm. This allows for avoiding exposure to healthy tissues and increasing the radiation dose for more effective destruction of the cancer focus. Brachytherapy is considered one of the most progressive methods of radiation therapy, which has shown good results in treating palate cancer.
Laser Therapy
For palate cancer, a progressive type of laser therapy is used – photodynamic therapy. The damaging effect of the laser beam is enhanced by introducing a special photosensitizing agent into the tumour tissues. Necrosis of pathological tissues occurs much more effectively than with traditional laser therapy. This type of treatment is characterized by minimal invasiveness and a gentler effect on healthy palate tissues compared to surgery.
Chemotherapy
Recurrent palate cancer is treated using chemotherapy drugs. Together with the bloodstream, they are distributed throughout the body and halt the growth and development of cancerous neoplasms. At the Ichilov clinic, treatment protocols include the latest generation of chemotherapy drugs. In addition to their high efficacy, their use is associated with a reduction in the number of side effects.
Cryodestruction
Destruction of small tumours by freezing shows good results in treating palate cancer. Deep cold (up to -200 °C) causes instant necrosis of the tissue, destroying the vessels that supply blood to the pathological focus. During the procedure, liquid nitrogen is applied to the tumour or introduced into the tissue of the neoplasm using a special cryoneedle. Cryodestruction has no negative side effects, so it can be applied multiple times. A wound remains at the site of the destroyed tumour, which heals over time.
Surgery
Surgery is the leading method for treating palate cancer, yielding good results both in the earliest stages and in advanced cases. Ichilov doctors carefully select the type of surgery that will help eliminate the disease and be the least traumatic.
Mohs Surgery
In cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate, if the location and size of the tumour allow, a micrographic surgery (Mohs) is performed. During the surgical intervention, after removing the visible part of the tumour, doctors conduct a histological examination. If it is found that not all cancer cells have been removed, another resection is performed immediately. This continues until the surgeon is convinced that the tumour has been completely removed. This method allows avoiding a repeat operation and minimizing the removal of healthy areas of the palate. The success rate of Mohs surgery is very high: doctors observe an absence of recurrences in 99% of cases.
Resection with Subsequent Plastic Surgery
A large-sized neoplasm is removed along with adjacent tissues of the upper or lower palate. If the pathological process spreads to the tongue, jaw, or nasal septum, the patient requires reconstruction of the damaged area. Israeli surgeons have extensive experience in performing plastic surgeries to eliminate defects in the oral cavity. They use the patient's own tissues, which helps avoid rejection risks. After such surgeries, it is possible to restore basic functions – speech, swallowing, and so on. During the rehabilitation period, experienced speech therapists and psychologists work with the patient.
Diagnosis of Palate Cancer
To conduct quality treatment, oncologists need to have a complete picture of the disease: to know the symptoms, histological type of the tumour, its aggressiveness, size, presence of secondary foci, and so on. Unfortunately, the diagnosis made in the CIS countries is incorrect in 42% of cases due to the imperfection of diagnostic methods and equipment. Israeli diagnostics is recognized as one of the most reliable in the world, so treatment here is preceded by a comprehensive diagnostic examination.
In major medical institutions in the country, research centers operate where examinations can be conducted quickly and efficiently. Foreign patients are familiarized in advance with the schedule of diagnostic activities. It is arranged so that a person can undergo all necessary examinations in a short time (three to four days) during their stay in the country. While the patient is at the Ichilov clinic, they are accompanied by a Russian-speaking case manager who helps with organizational issues.
Day One
First, the patient meets with a leading oncologist. The doctor studies the medical history, the results of the examinations brought by the patient, conducts a physical examination, and decides which types of examinations the patient will need to undergo in Israel.
Day Two
During the second day, the patient undergoes laboratory and instrumental examinations.
Diagnostics for palate cancer includes:
- Consultation and examination by an otolaryngologist, oncologist.
- Blood test for biochemistry.
- X-ray of the jaw bones.
- Histological examination of the neoplasm (biopsy is performed).
- Cytological analysis of the lymph nodes (lymph node puncture is performed).
- Scintigraphy of the facial bones.
- Ultrasound of internal organs.
If necessary, the doctor prescribes other examinations.
Day Three
After the diagnostic data is ready, a medical council of specialized doctors determines the treatment strategy. This involves an ENT doctor, oncologist, oncological surgeon, plastic surgeon, radiologist, and other related specialists. The patient is informed of the prognosis and is given detailed information about the measures that will be taken and the associated risks.
How Much Does Palate Cancer Treatment Cost in Israel
The price of treatment in Israel is regulated by the government, strictly ensuring that they are not inflated. Since the cost of treating palate oncopathology at the Ichilov clinic is 30-50% lower than in European and US countries, a large number of people from different countries choose Israel. Moreover, no advance payment is required here; the patient pays for medical services only when they are actually provided.
| Type of Service | Prices |
|---|---|
| Surgery | from $2640 |
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Opportunity to be treated by world-class specialists at moderate prices.
- Availability of modern medical and diagnostic equipment in the clinic.
- Use of the latest and most effective treatment protocols.
- Caring support during treatment and case manager services that simplify the patient's stay in a foreign country.
- Ability to pay for services in any convenient form after they are received.
If symptoms of the disease are found in you or your loved ones, and you are interested in treatment in Israel, fill out the application form on our website or request a callback. Our consultant will contact you shortly and help organize your trip. There is no reason to delay your inquiry; do it today!