San Raffaele Hospital
Milan
, Italy
21
reviews
Price level Medium
Best Smart Hospitals in the World 2021 by Newsweek Magazine
The best clinics in the world 2022 according to Newsweek magazine
Best smart hospitals in the world 2023 according to Newsweek magazine
1500000
patients per year
1971
year of foundation
1640
beds
>50000
surgery per year
1600
doctors
About clinic
San Raffaele Hospital (Ospedale San Raffaele) is a multidisciplinary hospital of world importance in Italy. It is a leading research medical center in Europe.
The hospital is a leader in the treatment of rare immune and genetic diseases. It is located in Milan.
The authoritative edition of Neewsweek in 2020-2023 included the clinic in the list of the best hospitals in the world; in 2021 and 2023 it was recognized as the Best Smart Hospital.
Accredited by the Italian Ministry of Health and ISO certified.
The main areas include oncology, oncohematology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, endocrinology, and gynecology.
Hospital in numbers:
- it is founded in 1971;
- 15 specialized departments;
- more than 60 highly specialized departments;
- 5 million patients annually;
- more than 50,000 operations annually;
- 1,600 doctors, including world-famous scientists;
- 1,640 inpatient beds.
On the basis of the clinic, there is a Center for the Treatment of Rare Diseases (which occur in 1 out of 20,000 people).
Features of the Medical Center
San Raffaele Hospital is one of the most popular European clinics. It has a number of features, thanks to which it is worth choosing it if treatment is needed.
- The research activities of San Raffaele Hospital are based on the translational principle. This means that laboratory discoveries are rapidly being introduced into medical practice, and scientific work increases the effectiveness of therapy.
- The hospital specializes in high-tech medical services and uses innovative methods of treatment, including gene therapy, immunotherapy and other methods. This means that patients have access to the best medicines and treatments available today.
- Each medical case is studied in detail by the multidisciplinary team of specialists.
- Getting a full range of medical services in one building attracts patients with severe forms of diseases and disabilities.
- Opportunity to take part in clinical trials of new types of drugs and therapies.
- The clinic accepts adults and children.
Doctors have developed check-up programs for the early detection of many pathologies.
Treatment of Complex Diseases
The center's specialists provide assistance to patients from the countries of Central Asia and some countries of Eastern Europe, who were offered palliative care by local doctors. Italian doctors transfer the disease to a milder stage or cure completely.
Patients with cancer who have concomitant diseases or states also come to San Raffaele Hospital. For example:
- ischemic heart disease;
- diabetes mellitus;
- autoimmune diseases;
In these cases, doctors carefully adjust therapy in accordance with the state of patients who require special attention and care.
Scientific Research for Effective Therapy
San Raffaele Hospital is an example of scientific achievements and medical practice. Some of the achievements that are actively applied:
- For the treatment of severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID), specialists have developed the world's first stem cell gene therapy.
- Developments in the field of molecular medicine have made it possible to achieve success in the treatment of oncology, type 1 diabetes.
- Discovery of a genetic mutation that causes Parkinson's disease.
- We have developed a new method of treating deafness, which is based on the use of stem cells.
- Discovery of a new mechanism for the development of Alzheimer's disease associated with the activation of certain brain enzymes.
- Developed new methods of neurostimulation and neuromodulation.
At the moment, more than 150 medical scientists are conducting clinical trials of new methods of treating oncology. A method of storming blood vessels is also being developed to increase the effectiveness of therapy.
In the process of research:
- pathology of the central and peripheral nervous system;
- tumors;
- metabolic disorders;
- immune-mediated, infectious, hereditary, and cardiovascular diseases.
San Raffaele Hospital is recognized as the Best Research Hospital of Italy in Europe in 2001.
For the development of innovative methods of treatment in the field of molecular medicine and gene therapy, the clinic is recognized by the Scientific Research Institute. Only a few hospitals in the country have this status.
The best specialties of the hospital
All
Cardiosurgery
Dermatology
Endocrinology
Gatroenterology
IVF
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Obstetrics & gynecology
Oncology
Ophtalmology
Orthopedy
Psychiatry
Pulmonology
Rheumatology
Surgery
Urology, nephrology
Vascular surgery
Siddhanth Banavali
4/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Gunshot wounds
Dr. Abdelrazek,
There are no words strong enough to express what you mean to me, but I will try.
When I was shot five times. My life hung by the thinnest thread imaginable. In those terrifying minutes, everything could have ended. But it didn’t. And the reason I am here today, breathing, speaking, living — is you.
You didn’t just perform an operation. You didn’t just “do your job.” You fought for me. You made decisions under unimaginable pressure. You used your skills, your experience, your steady hands and your brilliant mind to bring me back from the edge of the abyss. Where others might have seen impossibility, you saw a life worth saving — my life.
Thanks to you, my family did not lose a son. My friends did not lose a loved one. I was given more time — more memories to create, more dreams to pursue, more chances to grow. This gift is priceless.
I can only imagine the weight you carry in such moments — the responsibility, the urgency, the stakes. And yet you remained strong. You stayed focused. You gave everything you had to save me. Such dedication is something exceptional. It takes not only intellect and training, but also heart — and you have both.
Every breath I take now feels different. It feels meaningful. It feels like a second chance. And each of those breaths is connected to you.
Thank you for your courage.
Thank you for your compassion.
Thank you for your dedication.
Thank you for not giving up.
Thank you for saving my life.
I will carry gratitude to you in my heart forever — in the very heart that you helped keep beating.
With deepest respect and appreciation,
Rishi
GLORY TO GEMS FOUNDERS!
14/03/2026
Vladimiro Barbieri
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Prostate reduction
I felt excellent both with the doctor (Dr. Rigatti) and with the operating room staff, as well as during the postoperative period in the ward.
I was hospitalized for prostate reduction.
22/02/2026
Annalisa V.
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Planned cesarean section
In September 2025 I had a planned cesarean section with Dr. Bartiromo, an excellent specialist!
An exceptional and emotional experience, lived like a natural birth!
I sincerely thank the midwives, nurses, anesthesiologists of the obstetrics/gynecology department of San Raffaele for all the help provided.
But our gratitude and special appreciation go to Dr. Matteo Schimberni!
He was our point of support throughout the entire pregnancy, lived calmly thanks to his thoroughness, professionalism and empathy!
He was always ready to answer any of my doubts — a very important aspect!
Thank you also for his enormous availability and humanity.
A great professional!
03/02/2026
Luca Parisi
3/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Appointment delay
Does anyone check whether the schedule of specialized visits is being followed? Compared to the appointed time — a delay of more than an hour, if you’re lucky. At least a little respect for patients who take time off work, register on time, pay for parking for hours.
26/01/2026
Irene Romanoni
2/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Campus logistics
I can’t say anything about the professionalism of the doctors, but please do something to improve the logistics within the campus!
The records only indicate the address of the main entrance (Via Olgettina 60 or other numbers), and then you have to figure out on your own in which pavilions the reception and appointments are located.
Between DIMER, DIBIT, departments scattered across several sectors very far from each other, nothing can be understood! And, most importantly, when you call the switchboard, you are treated like a fool.
I suggest providing detailed information about the route within the campus and the most convenient parking spot depending on the sector you need to go to, already at the booking stage.
18/01/2026
Deborah vaccalluzzo
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Surgical operation
I was operated on in this hospital by the team of Professor Bussi (whom I thank with all my heart ❤️)… My experience was more than positive. The attention and care for the patient, meticulous on the part of all the staff, who, personally I found, were respectful and courteous. A clean and comfortable environment. Everyone is really responsive. Special thanks also to Dr. Galli, who “accompanied” me at this stage with patience and clarity. I can only sincerely congratulate everyone… Thank you, thank you, thank you 😍
10/09/2025
Elle Vi
2/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Craniotomy
Disappointed. Hospitalized due to a brain lesion with craniotomy.
It is impossible to rest easily either because of the noisy equipment (ventilators, which in my case… roommates were especially disturbing (constant complaints to the nurses, who, in my opinion, conscientiously provided services, as well as because of night noises independent of the above (for example, unpleasant calls at 3 a.m.).
04/09/2025
Dejan Nanic
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Lung cancer
San Raffaele Hospital provides the best lung cancer treatment in Europe. Their personalized therapy methods reduced my tumor from 12 to 4 cm after two courses of therapy. Dr. Sara Oresi is a wonderful young doctor who puts a lot of positive energy into treating her patients.
Thank you, Dr. Sara.
22/06/2025
Mauro Cislaghi
1/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Cardiology appointment
I book a cardiology appointment online, paying privately 220 euros for my wife and mother-in-law (440 euros in total), who is disabled and accompanied. In the end they rush around the hospital from one reception desk to another and from one department to another, and as a result they don’t make it in time and therefore are forced to ask for a refund and reschedule the appointment. The operators’ answer: don’t book online and especially don’t pay online. Worse than the worst healthcare of Burundi.
07/06/2025
Andrea
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Hematology
A world benchmark in hematology. Very professional and dedicated doctors. The nurses are simply amazing. I would recommend it a hundred times.
12/04/2024
Martina Greco
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Hematology
A world benchmark in hematology. Very professional and dedicated doctors. The nurses are simply amazing. I would recommend it a hundred times.
26/03/2024
Robert V
4/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Foreign patient treatment
Pros: as a foreign patient, the department serving patients from abroad does an exceptional job of coordination and assistance before and during the visit. They respond to appointment requests in a timely manner and are present on site during the visit. Indispensable, given the scale of the hospital. In addition, the team also helps with reporting results, general questions and coordinating follow-up visits after the visit, which is very convenient, so you can stay the minimum possible time when coming from abroad. All this is done with a sense of calm and empathy for the patient and their needs. For people coming from Southern Europe, this is one of the closest hospitals where you can get a continental EU standard of medical care.
Cons: a bit expensive, and you can easily get lost in the complexity of how the hospital works. Therefore I recommend contacting the international department right away to request assistance on the day of the visit.
14/11/2023
deborah bernardi
2/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Private paid service
Although the doctors in the maternity center are excellent, the administrative aspect is just not up to par! The administrators are really unprofessional, rude and tactless. I had a paid service as a private individual, I made a bank transfer in June 2023, for which I was supposed to receive a receipt within a few days. Since I live abroad, they did not send it to my registered address, so I asked to change it to an Italian one (don’t they send receipts by email in 2023?!). They send me emails from different offices, and after 3 months still nothing. For every request letter I send, I have to send two follow-up letters asking for a reply. Absurd. Administrative competence equals zero.
18/09/2023
NoIdeas7
3/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: General appointment
Okay, but quite busy, and the COVID tests are a horror. But to speak of the positive, the hospital from the outside is magnificent! And the view of Milan with the skyscrapers is everything! So… I was also treated here several years ago… So I’ll give 3 stars.
14/05/2023
Griswold
3/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Examination
I don’t want to talk about the doctors and staff, because almost certainly they are all very good and competent specialists. However, I want to dwell on the difficulty of understanding where the hell you need to go when you have a regular outpatient appointment.
The brilliant idea is that you have to follow the colored lines painted on the floor, as if on a running track, and pray that the office is actually located where that colored line leads you. But that’s almost never the case.
If you try to ask for directions, you usually get about 800 different answers about lines, floors above and below, offices, departments and so on.
Bottom line: if you are not a regular at this place, which is little different from a giant underground anthill, I advise arriving at least a couple of hours before the appointed time.
Advice for the clinic administration: add another colored line on the floor that, with no possibility to turn, will lead straight to the neuro-delirium department.
17/06/2022
Federica Sotgia
2/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: General appointment
Great potential. Poor punctuality and disrespect for people.
22/06/2020
Tania juve
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Retinal detachment
I would like to say a few words about this hospital and even more about Doctor Rozanghel Lattanzio, one of the most accessible and professional doctors I have ever known. He saved my vision by curing vasculopathy and warning all possible consequences. I thank you and I will never stop doing it, because the hospitability and love that you put into your work is very rare.
For those who have diseases of the retina, maculopathy, etc., trust this angel!
27/12/2018
Paola Buonasorte
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Bone marrow transplantation
The hematology department in San Raffaele is really excellent, the doctors are all very well prepared, they took care of my husband who had a bone marrow transplant. We recommend addressing San Raffaele if necessary.
26/12/2018
Ambrogio Masciocchi
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Examination
This hospital is an excellent institution, because every time I come for various medical examinations, I am always satisfied with the professionalism of all the staff (doctors, nurses, and all operators at the front desk).
20/12/2018
Luciano Bugli
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Cystectomy
I want to thank the whole Department of Urology, which helped me with great professionalism after a radical cystectomy on July 10, 2018. Special thanks to Doctor Deho, who saved me. Thank you so much for everything!
04/12/2018
Evgenia
5/5
Clinic: San Raffaele Hospital
Diagnosis: Stomach cancer
The professionalism of the doctors, the latest equipment, and the care of the clinic staff are among the best in Europe. We underwent treatment and surgery in Russia and Germany, with full responsibility declare that the San Raffaele clinic in Milan is the best. Thank you very much to the coordinator, doctors from the international department of the clinic. You are real professionals. I bow down before an oncologist, a surgeon, a gastroentrologist, a neurologist, and all the medical staff of the San Raffaele Clinic. There would be more such doctors in the world. THANK YOU!
07/11/2018
Help pay for treatment
Experts Medical cooperates with foreign funds that help our patients pay for treatment
You can receive compensation up to 20,000 euros for the treatment of a patient under the age of 18
Cost of diagnostics and operations
Examination
| Medical consultation | 180 - 420 $ | Enquire price |
| Online second opinion | 300 - 430 $ | Enquire price |
| PET CT | 960 - 1 320 $ | Enquire price |
| Coronary angiography | 1 320 - 2 340 $ | Enquire price |
| MRI | 420 - 840 $ | Enquire price |
| CT with contrast | 420 - 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Scintigraphy | 350 - 1 160 $ | Enquire price |
| Laboratory analysis | 60 - 720 $ | Enquire price |
| Histology review | 240 - 600 $ | Enquire price |
Oncology
| Online second opinion | 300 - 430 $ | Enquire price |
| TrueBeam (radiotherapy) | 5 400 - 8 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Cyber Knife (radiotherapy) | 3 000 - 6 000 $ | Enquire price |
| High-dose bone marrow transplant chemotherapy | 40 800 - 45 250 $ | Enquire price |
| Chemotherapy | 1 560 - 5 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Tumor biopsy | 600 - 3 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Bone marrow biopsy | 960 - 1 080 $ | Enquire price |
| Histology review | 240 - 600 $ | Enquire price |
| PET CT with oncologist consultation | 960 - 1 320 $ | Enquire price |
| Mastectomy | 3 960 - 9 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Immunotherapy | 30 000 - 72 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Da Vinci Robotic System | 19 200 - 26 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Cervical tumor removal | 14 400 - 21 600 $ | Enquire price |
| TUR (Transurethral resection of the prostate) | 6 360 - 7 800 $ | Enquire price |
Oncohematology
| Autologous bone marrow transplant | 33 600 - 42 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (related donor) | 48 000 - 60 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (non-related donor) | 72 000 - 84 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Bone marrow biopsy | 960 - 1 800 $ | Enquire price |
| High-dose bone marrow transplant chemotherapy | 40 800 - 45 240 $ | Enquire price |
| PET CT | 960 - 1 320 $ | Enquire price |
Cardiosurgery
| Cardiologist consultation | 160 - 420 $ | Enquire price |
| Coronary angiography | 1 320 - 22 340 $ | Enquire price |
| Coronary stenting | 7 200 - 10 800 $ | Enquire price |
| Coronary bypass | 10 800 - 14 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Heart valve replacement | 1 920 - 24 000 $ | Enquire price |
| ECG | 60 - 180 $ | Enquire price |
| Heart MRI | 480 - 840 $ | Enquire price |
Neurosurgery
| Surgical treatment of intervertebral hernia | 7 200 - 18 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Brain MRI | 360 - 840 $ | Enquire price |
| Brain tumor removal | 14 400 - 21 960 $ | Enquire price |
| Spinal Tumor Removal | 6 600 - 19 200 $ | Enquire price |
| Lumbar discectomy | 8 400 - 10 960 $ | Enquire price |
Orthopedy
| Orthopedist-traumatologist сonsultation | 180 - 300 $ | Enquire price |
| Hip replacement | 6 000 - 10 800 $ | Enquire price |
| Knee replacement | 5 400 - 8 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Ankle arthroscopy | 3 600 - 6 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Upper extremities Bioelectric prostheses | 6 000 - 9 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Lower extremities Bioelectric prostheses | 7 200 - 14 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Scoliosis conservative treatment | 4 800 - 6 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Scoliosis surgery | 6 600 - 12 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Arthrosis stem cell therapy | 3 580 - 30 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Scintigraphy | 420 - 840 $ | Enquire price |
Plastic surgery
| Breast augmentation | 3 000 - 3 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Breast augmentation with lifting | 3 600 - 4 200 $ | Enquire price |
| Abdominoplasty | 1 200 - 3 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Liposuction | 3 000 - 3 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Face lifting | 6 000 - 8 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Blephoroplasty | 1 800 - 2 400 $ | Enquire price |
| Rhinoplasty | 3 180 - 3 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Hair transplantation | 1 320 - 1 980 $ | Enquire price |
Ophthalmology
| Lens replacement (cataract treatment) | 1 200 $ | Enquire price |
| Keratoplasty (corneal transplant) | 4 800 - 9 600 $ | Enquire price |
| Crosslinking for 1 eye | 2 280 - 3 000 $ | Enquire price |
| iLasik (2 eyes) | 1 140 - 1 680 $ | Enquire price |
| Prosthetic eye | 1 080 - 1 800 $ | Enquire price |
| PRK Photorefractive keratectomy (2 eyes) | 1 560 - 1 800 $ | Enquire price |
Obstetrics
| Childbirth | 2 400 - 3 600 $ | Enquire price |
| IVF | 4 200 - 6 360 $ | Enquire price |
Neurology
| Complete diagnosis of epilepsy | 1 800 - 6 000 $ | Enquire price |
| Deep brain stimulation | Enquire price | |
| Multiple Sclerosis Treatment | Enquire price | |
| Parkinson's Disease Treatment | Enquire price |
Best clinic's doctors
Professor Pietro Mortini
Neurosurgeon
Work experience:
more than 35 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- brain tumor surgery;
- skull base surgery;
- pituitary tumor surgery;
- stereotactic radiosurgery;
- minimally invasive brain and spine surgery.
Education:
- Medical degree — University of Parma, 1986;
- specialization in neurosurgery — University of Verona, 1991;
- specialization in ENT surgery — University of Milan, 2000.
Clinical experience:
- Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute in Milan (since 2008);
- Professor of Neurosurgery and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University;
- Director of the Residency Program in Neurosurgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University;
- Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at The George Washington University (Washington, USA);
- author of more than 200 scientific publications.
Membership in associations:
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (USA);
- European Skull Base Society;
- Italian Society of Skull Base Surgery;
- Italian Society of Neurosurgery.
Professor Ottavio Alfieri
Cardiac surgeon
Work experience:
more than 45 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- heart valve surgery;
- mitral valve repair (edge-to-edge technique, Alfieri stitch);
- transcatheter technologies in cardiac surgery;
- surgical treatment of acquired heart defects.
Education:
- Medical degree — University of Parma, 1971;
- specialization in general surgery — University of Parma, 1976;
- specialization in cardiovascular surgery — University of Bari, 1979;
- specialization in cardiopulmonary surgery — Royal Dutch Medical Association (Utrecht), 1981.
Clinical experience:
- Senior consultant of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan;
- for 20 years — Director of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at San Raffaele Hospital;
- author of the original edge-to-edge mitral valve repair technique (1991), which is the basis of the most widely used percutaneous technology in the world for correcting mitral regurgitation;
- performed more than 15,000 major heart surgeries;
- author and co-author of more than 600 peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Membership in associations:
- European Society of Cardiology (ESC);
- European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) — former president;
- American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS);
- Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
Professor Fabio Ciceri
Hematologist
Work experience:
more than 30 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- hematology;
- bone marrow transplantation;
- allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation;
- cell and gene therapy for oncohematological diseases.
Education:
- Medical degree — University of Pavia, 1989 (with honors);
- specialization in rheumatology — University of Ferrara, 1995 (with honors);
- specialization in hematology — University of Milan, 2001 (with honors).
Clinical experience:
- Head of the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit at the San Raffaele Scientific Institute (since 2005);
- Professor of Hematology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University;
- Associate Clinical Director of the Division of Regenerative Medicine, Cell and Gene Therapy at San Raffaele;
- Principal Investigator of clinical trials in transplantation, cell and gene therapy.
Membership in associations:
- European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT);
- Italian Bone Marrow Transplant Group (GITMO);
- European Hematology Association (EHA);
- Italian Society of Hematology (SIE).
Professor Francesco Montorsi
Urologist
Work experience:
more than 35 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- uro-oncology (prostate, bladder, kidney cancer);
- robotic nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy;
- andrology and treatment of erectile dysfunction;
- laparoscopic and robotic urological surgery.
Education:
- Medical degree — University of Milan, 1987 (with honors);
- specialization in urology — University of Milan, 1992 (with honors);
- specialization in endocrinology (andrology) — University of Pisa, 2001 (with honors).
Clinical experience:
- Head of the Department of Urology at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan;
- Professor of Urology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University;
- Director of the Urological Research Institute (URI);
- Editor-in-Chief of the journal European Urology (since 2006);
- winner of the Crystal Matula Award of the European Association of Urology (1998).
Membership in associations:
- European Association of Urology (EAU);
- American Urological Association (AUA);
- European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM) — former president;
- Italian Society of Urology (SIU).
Dr. Giorgio Gandaglia
Urologist-oncologist
Work experience:
more than 10 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- uro-oncology (prostate cancer);
- robotic surgery in urology;
- modern imaging methods in prostate cancer diagnosis;
- pelvic lymph node dissection.
Education:
- Medical degree — Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (with honors);
- specialization in urology — Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (with honors);
- Clinical Research Fellowship — University of Montreal (Canada), 2013;
- Robotic Surgery Fellowship — OLV Robotic Surgery Institute (Aalst, Belgium), 2015.
Clinical experience:
- Associate Professor of Urology at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University;
- Senior Consultant of the Department of Urology at San Raffaele Hospital;
- author of about 680 PubMed-indexed scientific publications;
- Principal Investigator of several research projects, including with the support of AIRC and the Italian Ministry of Health.
Membership in associations:
- European Association of Urology (EAU), Prostate Cancer Guidelines Panel;
- EAU Section of Uro-Oncology (ESOU) — board member;
- Young Academic Urologists (YAU) — head of the prostate cancer group (2019–2024);
- EAU Robotic Urology Section (ERUS).
Professor Alessandro Castiglioni
Cardiac surgeon
Work experience:
more than 30 years
Achievements:
Specialization:
- heart valve surgery, mitral valve repair;
- surgical treatment of structural heart diseases in adults;
- surgery of complex aortic aneurysms;
- transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).
Education:
- Medical degree — University of Milan, 1993 (with honors, 110/110);
- specialization in thoracic surgery — University of Milan, 1998;
- specialization in cardiac surgery — University of Milan-Bicocca, 2007.
Clinical experience:
- Head of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at San Raffaele Hospital (since 2017);
- Associate Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University;
- surgical supervisor of the «Aortic Team» (aortic surgery) and TAVI projects;
- reviewer of the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Membership in associations:
- European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS);
- Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery (SICCH);
- leading European and national associations in the field of cardiac surgery and cardiology.
Additional services
Transfer from / to the airport
Visa assistance
Personal assistant
Wi-Fi Internet
Reservation of accommodation and airline tickets
Translator
Accommodation for accompanying person
Single room
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Clinic on the map
Why do patients choose San Raffaele Hospital for treatment?
The hospital specializes in the treatment of cancer, oncohematology, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, endocrinology, and gynecology.
Advantages:
- The high level of medical care is confirmed by prestigious ISO and IRCCS accreditations.
- The ability to undergo treatment for a wide range of pathologies, including rare diseases that are treated in a limited number of world clinics.
- Research work is carried out on the basis of the hospital. Thanks to this, patients have access to innovative drugs and advanced therapies.
- Modern equipment enables doctors to make an accurate diagnosis and carry out the most complex procedures.
- For each patient, a multidisciplinary team of specialists draws up an individual therapy regimen.
- The possibility of successful treatment for people with complex diagnoses who could not be helped in other clinics.
- Comfortable conditions for patients from other countries.
- The convenient location in the center of Milan allows enjoying walking around one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
The authoritative publication Newsweek included San Raffaele in the list of the best medical institutions in the world.
Why do people come to San Raffaele Hospital for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system?
- ultrasound of the heart;
- stress tests;
- Holter monitoring.
Most often, patients come with diagnoses:
- ischemic heart disease;
- cardiomyopathy;
- valvular pathology;
- heart defects;
- aortic aneurysm;
- heart failure.
Cardiac surgeons perform 3,500 interventions on the heart and blood vessels annually. The high professionalism of doctors allows them to successfully perform both open-heart and minimally invasive operations. To perform precise interventions, robotic technologies are used using a 3D visualization system. These procedures are performed through small incisions. Due to this, the risk of bleeding is reduced, and patients recover quickly.
Cardiac surgeons have extensive experience in:
- stenting;
- coronary artery bypass grafting;
- plastic surgery and replacement of heart valves;
- installing a defibrillator;
- treatment of aortic arch pathology.
Also, the specialists of the cardiology center successfully treat all cardiac pathologies in young children from 0 months. For the timely detection of disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system, doctors have developed early screening programs.
How are neurological diseases treated in San Raffaele Hospital?
The department is recognized by the National Center for the Treatment of Pituitary and Skull Base Tumors, Vascular and Spinal Pathologies. The main diseases with which patients come:
- all types of brain tumors: craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, pituitary adenomas, and gliomas with brain metastases;
- vascular pathologies: aneurysms, cavernous angiomas, malformations;
- diseases of the spine: intervertebral hernia, stenosis of the lumbar canal, instability of the lumbar;
- disorders of the peripheral nervous system: nerve compression, carpal tunnel syndrome.
Neurosurgeons have extensive experience in treating children with diagnoses of hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, and brain tumors.
In 2018, neurosurgeons of San Raffaele performed a unique operation – intrauterine correction of spina bifida (back Bifida) in a fetus at 22 weeks. The child was born healthy.
Advantages of treatment in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery:
- individual therapy regimen for each patient;
- the multidisciplinary team of doctors: neurosurgeons, endocrinologists, neuro-ophthalmologists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, otolaryngologists, and radiotherapists;
- advanced techniques for the surgical treatment of all diseases, such as 2D and 3D endoscopy, minimally invasive procedures on the brain and spinal cord;
- the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring allows for avoiding damage to brain functions.
On the basis of the department, clinical studies are carried out on the treatment of oncological diseases with stem cells, new technologies for skull surgery are being developed, and advanced imaging systems are being introduced.
How are oncological diseases treated at San Raffaele Hospital?
Specialists of the center have achieved great success in the treatment of malignant diseases of the skin, brain, head and neck, mammary glands, lungs, digestive and genitourinary systems, etc.
The therapy is carried out according to international protocols on an evidence-based basis. At the oncology center, leading surgeons perform the most complex procedures, including the removal of a tumor in the later stages of the disease.
Every year, 6,000 surgical interventions are performed. Specialists prefer to use surgical techniques that are gentle on patients: laparoscopy, endoscopy, and robotic surgery. Also, doctors do everything possible to save the organ.
Among the advanced effective treatment technologies are:
- Tomotherapy. A feature of the procedure is layer-by-layer irradiation of the tumor. This allows for maximizing the protection of healthy cells and tissues of the patient. Also, with tomotherapy, there are practically no side effects in the form of hair loss, nausea, poor health, disruption of the heart, and respiratory organs.
- Robotic surgery. With the help of the modern Da Vinci apparatus, surgeons perform sparing procedures to remove neoplasms that are located in hard-to-reach places. For example, in the head, lungs, abdomen, prostate, etc.
- Intensively modulated radiotherapy. Doctors use the Rapid Arc installation, which allows to accurately deliver the exact dosage to the affected organ.
- Immune therapy. It activates the patient’s immune system to fight cancer.
- Targeted therapy. Special drugs are used that block the mechanisms responsible for the division and growth of malignant cells.
- Cancer vaccines. These are drugs that are made from the patient’s blood with the addition of tumor antigens.
Psychological support works in the department. Patients also have access to a doctor in the contact center.
The scientific clinical trials of immunotherapeutic drugs and drugs for gene therapy are conducted in the hospital.
The director of the center is Professor Stefano Cascinu, a leading Italian oncologist, and author of numerous innovative developments in the treatment of oncological diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Why choose San Raffaele Hospital for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases?
Doctors successfully treat:
- peptic ulcer;
- chronic cholecystitis;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- post-gastroresection disorders;
- erosive lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract;
- gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- intestinal dysbacteriosis.
The department’s doctors specialize in anti-Helicobacter therapy, antiviral treatment of chronic viral hepatitis, as well as in the treatment of elderly patients.
Gastroenterologists conduct regular screening and use the most effective drugs. This significantly reduces the patient’s stay in the hospital.
Why do patients go to San Raffaele Hospital for the treatment of orthopedic diseases?
Doctors specialize in:
- arthroscopic surgery;
- microsurgery on the wrist, elbow, and foot;
- surgical treatment of diseases of the spine such as scoliosis and herniated discs;
- prosthetics of the hip and knee joints, which are carried out in a minimally invasive way;
- sports traumatology;
- complex operations to replace the prosthesis of the shoulder, hip, and knee.
The hospital features European training center for complex revisions of the hip joint. Here, the leading orthopedists of San Raffaele train their colleagues from all over the world.
Whenever possible, specialists use non-surgical methods for the treatment of diseases of the joints and spine:
- Plasmolifting of joints with the help of injections from the patient’s blood enriched with platelets.
- Stem cell therapy for the regeneration of damaged cartilage and joints. Stem cells are taken from the patient’s adipose tissue.
- Shock wave therapy (ESWT) is used to destroy pathological growths on the bones and to normalize blood circulation and muscle function. The procedure is carried out using acoustic waves.
- Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid are applied to prevent destruction, reduce friction, and improve joint mobility.
The director of the department is the leading Italian orthopedist Prof. Vincenzo Sollini. He performed over 6,000 successful procedures.
He specializes in arthroplasty and conducts research in the field of the effectiveness of cell therapy in the treatment of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
How to go for treatment at San Raffaele Hospital?
For the reliable and prompt organization of a trip to San Raffaele Hospital, you can contact Experts Medical. Coordinators-physicians will help to issue medical documents, select an attending physician, and transfer medical information to the clinic for study and preparation of a preliminary treatment regimen.
If necessary, we organize an online consultation with a doctor. Also, for patients of San Raffaele Hospital, Experts Medical offers additional services such as booking air tickets, hotel rooms, and transfer.
