Ihilov Clinic employs highly qualified specialists, including oncologists, immunologists, and gastroenterologists. They have extensive experience in treating Mediterranean lymphoma in Israel and other rare and complex diseases.
The clinic is equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment and uses the latest treatment methods, including targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Ihilov is renowned for its interdisciplinary teamwork – patients receive comprehensive examination and treatment from a team of specialists from various fields. Therapy is based on the individual characteristics of each case. Analysis of the clinical picture and disease specifics allows for the formulation of effective personalized combinations of therapeutic measures that optimize prognosis.
Patients at Ihilov have access to the most modern treatment methods. The clinic adheres to strict international standards of medical care quality and patient safety. Comprehensive support is provided to patients and their families at all stages of treatment, including assistance with logistics, accompaniment, translation, and organizing stays in Israel. Many doctors and staff speak multiple languages, including English and Russian.
About the Disease
The disease known as immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID) is referred to as Mediterranean lymphoma, intestinal form of heavy chain disease, primary lymphoma of the upper small intestine, Middle Eastern lymphoma, Mediterranean lymphoma, or Zeligmann lymphoma – named after the physician who first described it in 1968. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification includes this disease in the group of immunodeficiency-associated lymphoproliferative disorders.
This condition is a type of B-cell lymphoma and is classified as extranodal lymphomas, primarily affecting the middle section of the small intestine. The cause of the disease is linked to primary disorganization in the B-cell synthesis of lymphocytopoiesis. This disruption provokes the proliferation of lymphoid tissue producing defective immunoglobulins. In the early stages, this disease is responsive to antibiotic therapy, which has led scientists to suggest the influence of infectious agents, particularly bacteria from the Campylobacteraceae family.
The signs of immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID) can vary significantly. The most characteristic symptoms include:
- chronic diarrhea;
- abdominal pain;
- weight loss;
- malabsorption;
- edema;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- feelings of weakness and fatigue;
- enlargement of the spleen and liver.
The clinical picture can change and complicate depending on the stage of the disease. In the early stages of Mediterranean lymphoma, the symptoms are often mistakenly attributed to digestive disorders or infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
The therapy for Zeligmann lymphoma consists of a comprehensive set of procedures. They vary depending on accompanying issues and the patient's condition at the time of admission to Ihilov Clinic. Generally, considering the stage and aggressiveness of the disease, the treatment program includes antimicrobial therapy, chemotherapy, and, in some cases, surgical intervention.
Antibiotic Therapy, Diet, and Nutritional Correction
Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for IPSID, especially in the early stages. Antimicrobial agents are used to eliminate bacterial infections that can affect the pathogenesis of the disease and symptoms of malabsorption.
Adhering to a special diet and prescribing dietary supplements is necessary to correct malabsorption and nutrient deficiencies. Patients may require a diet high in protein and nutrients, along with individually tailored vitamin-mineral complexes.
Chemotherapy
In later stages or with insufficient response to antibiotic therapy, chemotherapeutic agents aimed at destroying abnormal lymphoid cells may be used. Due to the rarity and insufficient study of Mediterranean lymphoma, chemotherapy protocols are based on classical approaches to lymphoma treatment. The choice of chemotherapy protocol and management of treatment are built on an individualized approach and close interaction between the patient and the multidisciplinary medical team.
Treatment of immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID) using chemotherapy aims to suppress and destroy atypical immune cells causing the disease. Depending on the stage and severity of the patient's condition, different chemotherapy regimens and combinations with corticosteroids may be applied to enhance the therapeutic effect. Therapy typically consists of several cycles with breaks for recovery.
Surgery
Surgical treatment of Mediterranean lymphoma (IPSID) is advisable in cases where the disease leads to structural disturbances in the intestine that can cause obstruction, bleeding, or ulcerative lesions. Surgical interventions may also be applied to remove tumorous formations. Before surgery, patients at Ihilov Clinic undergo diagnostic procedures (endoscopy, imaging studies) to accurately localize the affected areas of the intestine and determine the nature and extent of the lesions.
If necessary, resection of the affected section of the intestine is performed to eliminate obstruction, nodular formations, or areas with pronounced dysplasia. The operation is conducted via open access or using laparoscopic techniques.
Immunotherapy
In some cases of treating Mediterranean lymphoma, immunomodulating drugs show effectiveness. Immunotherapy is a relatively new and rapidly developing field. The goal of therapy is to normalize the immune response of the body and suppress the pathological immune response associated with the disease. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, immunotherapy aims to mobilize the body's own defenses to fight abnormal cells.
Immunotherapy procedures may include the following approaches:
- therapy with specific monoclonal antibodies;
- immunomodulators to correct immunological processes and reduce the abnormal activity of lymphoid cells to slow or stop the progression of IPSID;
- immunostimulants that activate the immune system to fight abnormal cells.
Depending on the severity and stage of IPSID, the treatment plan may combine several methods and requires individual adjustment for each patient.
- Chemotherapy
Diagnosis Methods for the Disease
To establish an accurate diagnosis, Ihilov Clinic uses a combination of various analytical methods, including laboratory tests, identification and biopsy of affected areas of the intestine, immunohistochemical analysis of tissues, and molecular studies.
First Day
Doctors collect a detailed history of symptoms and risk factors, including the patient's geographical origin and complaints of gastrointestinal symptoms. A physical examination is conducted to check for any visible signs, such as enlarged lymph nodes or general malaise.
Second Day
- Laboratory blood tests.
- Immunoglobulin studies.
- Endoscopy and biopsy: Gastroscopy or ileocolonoscopy with biopsy are performed for visual inspection and sampling of tissues from the gastrointestinal tract for further histological evaluation.
- Histopathological microscopic studies of tissue samples to identify the architecture of the lymphoma and the presence of atypical cells.
- Molecular diagnostics, PCR analyses, and decoding of genetic changes.
- Computer imaging. X-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to search for internal manifestations of the disease.
Third Day
A team of doctors at Ihilov Clinic works on interpreting the results of differential diagnosis: gastroenterologists, hematologists, oncologists, infectious disease specialists, radiologists, surgeons, and other specialists. Their goal is to exclude other similar diseases, such as celiac disease, other types of lymphoma, and infectious diseases causing symptoms of digestive disorders and malabsorption. The multidisciplinary team discusses each case and develops a treatment plan corresponding to the stage and severity of the disease.
- Biopsy
- Computed Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Immunological Blood Analysis
How Much Does Treatment Cost
The cost of treatment at the Israeli Ihilov Clinic depends on a number of factors. The complexity of diagnosing and the rarity of Mediterranean lymphoma require specialized analytical methods and the selection of a personalized treatment complex, which affects the cost of the program. Each treatment plan is unique and may include dozens of procedures, surgical interventions, medications, chemotherapy courses, immunotherapy, or other methods.
Contact a qualified medical consultant to clarify how much treatment for Mediterranean lymphoma costs, how long it is necessary to stay in the hospital, in the intensive care unit, or during rehabilitation. Call to learn about the doctors at Ihilov Clinic, their ratings, reviews, experience, or specialized skills. You can find out everything regarding organizational or financial questions through the online chat or a special feedback form on the website.
Advantages of Treating Mediterranean Lymphoma in Israel
- Experience and specialization of the medical center
- Innovative methods of diagnosis and treatment
- Interdisciplinary approach and individualized treatment strategies
- High standards of care and safety
- Consultations, language support
To get an accurate assessment regarding your specific case, you can order an online consultation with a doctor who has practical experience in successfully treating immunoproliferative diseases of the small intestine. Through video communication via Zoom or Skype, the doctor will conduct a preliminary assessment based on the available examination results and recommend what to do next.