The ability to undergo lymphoma treatment in Israel gives many patients the hope of achieving stable remission and complete recovery. This country is famous all over the world for the best clinics in which thousands of patients with cancer are saved. In this article, we will briefly review the most popular medical centers that treat Hodgkin's lymphoma in Israel.
Description of the disease
This is one of the types of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Being part of the immune system, it is a complex of lymph nodes and blood vessels through which lymphatic fluid moves. It contains protective cells that can attack viruses and resist the growth of atypical cells.
Under the general term "lymphoma" hides several types of cancer. All of them affect the lymphatic system. The first type is Hodgkin's disease, which is characterized by a malignant process in white blood cells, the second is non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which affect any organ or system of the body.
The main function of the lymphatic system is the production of lymphocytes, which are the very protective cells. The tonsils, thymus, spleen, intestines, skin and bone marrow also play an important role in the lymphatic system. Such a hematologic malignant disease is dangerous in that it can affect any organ.
Lymphoma is considered a fairly common type of cancer, as it is diagnosed in every twentieth cancer patient. With Hodgkin's lymphoma (treatment in Israel can be done in one of several clinics, which will be discussed later), lymphocytes begin to divide uncontrollably, which is the reason for the formation and growth of the tumor. At the initial stage, this disease is often asymptomatic, therefore, it is often possible to recognize it when the malignant cells have already managed to spread throughout the body and affect the internal systems.
Patient's chances of recovery
Before starting treatment for lymphoma, a comprehensive diagnosis of the disease is mandatory in Israel or any other country. First of all, specialists have the goal to find out the type of tumor process. Current research methods can detect pathology at the beginning of its development and timely prevent irreversible complications. The success of therapy depends more on the stage at which it was started. Judging by the reviews, in Israel, treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma ends in the patient's recovery in eight out of ten cases. The fight against the disease in the terminal stages is palliative support for the patient's quality of life. Recovery of the patient at the last stages of the development of the disease is practically impossible, however, experts from leading Israeli clinics are doing everything to ensure that the patient lives the rest of his days without torment and pain.
Features of the Israeli diagnosis
Leading oncology clinics in Israel are equipped with modern, expensive equipment that perfectly helps in conducting research procedures and making a diagnosis. To confirm lymphoma, it will take only three days to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis.
First, the patient is introduced to the treating doctor. In the state of Israeli clinics there are many world-famous oncology specialists. On the first day, the doctor examines the patient, studies the anamnesis and draws up an individual examination program. For each patient, a separate list of the necessary tests and diagnostic procedures is compiled, the results of which will allow us to conclude about the disease.
During the second day, the patient is expected to laboratory and instrumental research procedures:
- a number of blood tests, including general, biochemical and tumor markers;
- puncture of a lymph node affected by cancer cells for histological analysis;
- CT and MRI are necessary to determine the exact location of the tumor, the presence of metastases in the internal organs;
- Ultrasound of the liver, lymph nodes, spleen.
During the third day of diagnosis, test results arrive and a reliable diagnosis is established. The best doctors are involved in oncological clinics. According to reviews, the treatment of lymphoma in Israel is prescribed by a consultation of specialists. The decision on therapeutic tactics is usually made jointly by doctors of various profiles (hemato-oncologists, chemotherapists, psychologists, etc.). Further, the main methods of treating lymphoma in Israel.
Chemotherapy
To date, this method is the most effective in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In Israel, they use innovative cytostatic drugs that can reduce the effect of certain blood cells on the immune system. In parallel with the use of chemotherapy, patients are prescribed transfusions of individual blood components. Among the methods for treating lymphoma in Israel, according to reviews, liposomal chemotherapy is often noted. This type of treatment involves the introduction of drugs not in liquid-soluble form, but in the form of liposomes - microscopic particles.
Irradiation
Today, this technique is used as the main one only in the early stages of lymphoma. Radiation therapy is quite effective in complex use along with cytostatics in the last stages of the disease. Such treatment for lymphoma, according to patients in Israel, helps alleviate suffering and reduce pain.
High doses of radiation fall directly to the affected area and do not adversely affect neighboring healthy tissues. In the treatment of certain types of cancer, radiation is highly effective. After it, unlike chemotherapy, minor side effects occur.
Types of immunotherapy
This is one of the new treatments for lymphomas. The best doctors in Israel use immunotherapy against Hodgkin's disease and the non-Hodgkin form of the disease. Monoclonal antibodies are injected into patients, which, in essence, provide the production of antibodies to suppress cancer cells.
Another method of immunotherapy involves the use of a protease inhibitor. Its essence lies in the use of immunomodulators that can strengthen the immune cells surrounding the tumor, which leads to the death of the malignant neoplasm. With immunotherapy, cancer cells are destroyed and the process of their spread throughout the body stops.
The third type is radioimmunotherapy. At first glance, the treatment principle is not much different from previous methods of treating lymphoma. To defeat this disease, drugs consisting of monoclonal antibodies are used. In Israeli clinics for the treatment of lymphoma, many patients are prescribed the drug Zevalin, which has the ability to suppress foci of cancer cells. The mechanism of action of this agent is based on the principle of damage to a malignant tumor by compounds from radioactive isotopes and monoclonal antibodies.
Vaccine medications are administered to patients intravenously. After getting into the body, antibodies begin to attack the molecules of cancer cells, due to which the growth of the tumor stops. Immunotherapy has no side effects.
Bone marrow transplantation
Most reviews of the treatment of lymphoma in Israel indicate that all patients undergo a bone marrow biopsy. The thing is that local oncologists use high doses of chemotherapy drugs, and cytostatics are known to have a bad effect on the state of the bone marrow. That is why, before starting chemotherapy courses, a part of his bone marrow is taken from the patient and frozen, and after taking the drugs, the material is thawed and administered intravenously. Such a measure helps to replace damaged bone marrow with a healthy one and accelerate recovery processes after chemical preparations.
An innovation of the leading Israeli clinics specializing in the treatment of lymphoma is the testing of other chemotherapy tactics. Unlike the usual course of chemotherapy, this is the introduction of low doses of cytostatics for a long time. Such treatment is less toxic and safer for the body. The development accelerating the process of recovery of lymphoma is similar - the introduction of stem cells obtained directly from the blood of the patient himself or a suitable donor.
Bone marrow transplantation takes place in several stages. First of all, diagnostics are carried out, according to the results of which an assessment is made of the general health of the patient. In addition, a preliminary examination is an important condition for eliminating contraindications. In addition to the recipient, the donor must undergo diagnostics.
Further, if there are no barriers to transplantation, a donor bone marrow is taken. The biomaterial is subsequently implanted to the patient through an intravenous catheter, but only after he undergoes a course of radio and chemotherapy designed to destroy the affected bone marrow.
After transplantation, the recipient is shown a complex of immunosuppressive agents that suppress the patient’s immunity and improve the survival of donor foreign cells. Treatment of lymphoma in Israel is often supplemented by radiation therapy and a course of cytostatics. Together with immunosuppressants, they seriously weaken the patient’s body, therefore, over the next month, patients are prescribed a course of antibiotics, regular blood transfusion procedures and laboratory tests.
It takes at least two months for the bone marrow to take root. If after this time the control tests show excellent results, that is, indicate that a sufficient level of healthy cells is noted in the patient’s blood, the therapy is stopped and the patient is discharged. If there are even minor complications, therapy must be continued. In addition, the patient should be constantly monitored by specialists. After bone marrow transplantation and taking all medicines, patients feel unwell, feel constant fatigue, nausea. According to reviews, it is possible to recover after the treatment of lymphoma in Israel after 6-12 months.
Absolutely all manipulations related to bone marrow transplantation and subsequent immunosuppressive treatment, in the predominant number of cases, are crowned with success. This is facilitated by the huge donor base operating in Israel, and experienced highly qualified doctors, and modern medical equipment.
The most famous Israeli clinics
Among the many medical centers, it is worth noting several institutions specializing in the treatment of lymphoma in Israel. Reviews of treatment in local clinics inspire hope in many who are faced with this diagnosis. In this country, they take on the most difficult cases, try to save lives in the later stages of the disease. It is quite difficult to choose the best among the many operating medical centers in Israel, since leading specialists work in each institution. Next, we will briefly describe oncology clinics that help patients with lymphoma:
- Surasky Medical Center. Not so long ago, a multidisciplinary institution in Tel Aviv had a different name - "Ichilov Hospital". The medical center is famous for world-renowned reputable oncologists. The clinic has a large diagnostic base, so diseases can be successfully detected here in the early stages. The treatment of lymphoma is carried out using traditional and innovative therapeutic techniques.
- Herzliya Medical Center is located in the city of the same name, near the Sharon Hotel. The international staff of doctors and medical staff is represented by true professionals in their field, the best specialists in oncology. According to unofficial data, from year to year, thousands of foreign tourists, including those suffering from lymphoma and other types of cancer, become patients of the clinic. The lymphoma clinic in Israel is also known for its current pathological laboratory, which tests for a number of medical facilities in Israel. The hospital is equipped with advanced technologies, and highly effective achievements are being introduced to treat patients.
- Hadassah. The medical center is located in Jerusalem. It is the largest research and clinical institute in Israel and neighboring countries. Patients are accepted here to treat any type of cancer, regardless of location and stage of development. A separate structural unit of Hadassah is a specialized clinic specializing in the treatment of lymphomas of any kind.
- Haib Shiba Medical Center. In the city of Tel Ha Shomer, there is a multidisciplinary institution at the medical university. On the basis of the medical center is a research institute that collaborates with pharmaceutical manufacturers. Here, drugs are developed, new medical technologies are created, which subsequently find their application around the world.
- Yitzhak Rabin Medical Center . This clinic, located in the city of Petah Tikva, is known for its oncology department of Davidov and the institution of Recanati that deals with genetics and genetic engineering. The Rabin Clinic helps patients with various problems, including malignant diseases of the blood, lymphatic system. Each patient of the center expects attentive escort of doctors and the warm attitude of the medical staff throughout the course of therapy.
How much is the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoma
Clinics in Israel set different prices for therapeutic programs for cancer. In addition, the final cost of treatment largely depends on the type of pathology and its severity. The localization of the tumor, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant ailments are of no small importance. Different prices are set for specific types of treatment measures.
For example, a consultation with an Israeli hematologist or lymphologist, during which the specialist will conduct an examination and outline a program for further actions (diagnostic complex), will cost about 500. e. Expanded blood tests, without which it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis, cost patients 700-800 y. E., puncture of one lymph node - about 500-600 at. e., a bone marrow biopsy is approximately the same. To assess the state of lymphoid tissue and blood vessels, additional types of instrumental diagnostics are required, each of which is in the range of 800-1000 y. e.
Intravital histological examination of a biopsy to confirm the malignancy of the disease costs patients an average of 3000 y. e. After the patient is examined, he needs to pay an additional consultation with a lymphologist, during which the doctor will prescribe treatment, and this will cost about 500. e. Moreover, the average price of one course of chemotherapy in Israel is 3000-4000 at. e., and the removal of the affected lymph node - 8000 at. e. The indicated tariffs are average and concern only a specific type of diagnostic and treatment services. To find out the final cost, you need to contact a specific medical center.
Treatment of lymphoma in Israel: patient reviews
A lot is known about the treatment of cancer in this country. Patients with gratitude and appreciation respond to the therapy, passed here. One can talk endlessly about the treatment of lymphoma in Israel. The doctors here are real professionals. Numerous reviews of patients who come here from several dozen countries confirm the highest level of medicine and the qualifications of doctors. Despite the fact that many Russians consider the cost of treatment to be too high, in comparison with the prices of European clinics, Israeli rates can be called very affordable. Most likely, this is another reason for the popularity of Israeli medicine.