Cancer: operations in Israel

The treatment of cancer is one of the main reasons why people seek medical help abroad.

A good treatment can literally become a matter of life and death, and a person should not be restricted in getting nearby medical treatment if there is a better alternative.

The Israeli clinics provide top-class treatment that organizes inpatient or outpatient cancer treatment, conducted by some of the world's most outstanding specialists in oncology.

Some of the most common cancers that are currently treated include lung, skin, uterus, pancreas, prostate, bladder and breast cancer, as well as leukemia and non-Hodgina lymphoma.

Thousands of people have already been treated for cancer in Israel, basing their choice on the experience of Israeli medical professionals, equipment used in hospitals, and affordable prices for treatment.

Here are some examples of Israel's superiority in medical research and practice in cancer treatment:

• "Radioactive bombs" for the destruction of a tumor. In this still experimental treatment developed at Tel Aviv University, radioactive needles are implanted into the tumor region, releasing radioactive atoms. The creation of radiation provokes the appearance of useful antigens in the patient's body. Treatment is considered especially promising, because the radiation it generates is less harmful alpha rays, rather than standard gamma irradiation. In experimental studies it was found that the technique not only destroys cancerous tumors, but, surprisingly, also helps the body to develop immunity and possibly prevent the recurrence of cancer.

• "NovoTTF" for the treatment of brain cancer. The most common form of brain cancer, glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive, fast-growing type of tumors. Because of the location of cancer surgery is often not an option, and the problems of treatment are compounded by the fact that brain cells tend to be resistant to most other traditional therapies. A new treatment method, developed by the Israeli company NovoCure, involves the use of a battery-powered device that creates an electromagnetic field. Malignant neoplasms decay with regular exposure to electromagnetism. The patient can wear a light NovoTTF device on himself during the day. In clinical trials, NovoTTF proved effective in treating current cases of glioblastomas that did not respond to chemotherapy. The device also has an advantage over traditional methods of treatment, creating less debilitating side effects.

• Cell treatment of the immune system. For patients who have previously been operated on, undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, this innovative treatment can provide additional benefits. In the procedure, donor lymphocytes undergo a process of laboratory activation, and then are transplanted into the patient's body. The advantage of this treatment is that there is no need to transplant any type of tissue, which is one of the main disadvantages of traditional bone marrow transplants.

These few examples only partially serve to illustrate Israel's innovative efforts in the treatment of cancer.

The oldest form of cancer treatment is surgery, and for most patients surgery is part of the treatment plan. The most important part of consulting with a surgeon is a complete history and complete medical examination. Diagnostic tests should be performed before surgical removal of the tumor. This allows the surgeon to determine whether the cancer is operable, and allows him to determine a suitable surgical approach. Due to improved screening methods, many patients have a disease that can only be cured by surgical treatment. In such cases, subsequent treatment of the patient includes close observation and / or radiology and laboratory tests.