Treatment of stomach cancer in Israel

Cancer treatment is a priority area of medicine in Israel. The achievements of Israeli doctors in the treatment of cancer are recognized by the international medical community. 

Israeli oncologists have created an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of patients diagnosed with cancer.

Oncology departments in Israeli hospitals are among the world leaders in terms of treatment effectiveness and survival rate of patients with gastric cancer.

A malignant formation that occurs in the cells of the stomach as a result of pathological gene changes (mutations) is cancer. 

Adenocarcinoma is a form of cancer that most often occurs in the stomach, it affects the cells of the glands of the mucous membrane. There is two types of stomach cancer: 

• interstitial – pathological cells form a formation in one layer of the organ;
• diffuse – grows into neighboring tissues and organs.

Due to the staging of the tumor process (0-IV), doctors draw up a strategy, treatment plan and prognosis for each patient. The lower the stage number, the less the tumor spread and the more favorable the prognosis.

Stomach cancer can be detected only after a patient visits a doctor with certain symptoms, such as pain in the epigastric region, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, and impaired food passage. After examination, history taking and determination of risk factors, the doctor prescribes the necessary additional tests. 

In Israel, patients have the opportunity to detect stomach cancer at early stages. For this purpose, Israel has created a screening program for local residents and foreign patients.

Each patient can get more accurate test results thanks to modern diagnostic devices:

• blood test for anemia and tumor markers;
• fecal analysis for stomach bleeding;
• gastroscopy;
• biopsy of gastric tumors and regional lymph nodes;
• testing of cells taken during biopsy for the presence of HER2 protein or other gene changes;
• X-ray examination of the stomach with contrast;
• computed tomography (CT);
• endoscopic ultrasound;
• positron emission tomography (PET-CT);
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

According to the statistics of Israeli hospitals, 25% of foreign patients come for treatment with an incorrect diagnosis. The accuracy rate of cancer diagnosis in Israeli medical centers reaches over 91%.

Initially, the patient should discuss all possible treatment options with the doctor, ask about everything that is not clear and interesting, what side effects may be and the purpose of the prescribed medical procedures. The goal may be a complete recovery, prevention of tumor development,alleviate symptoms, resolve digestive problems or chronic pain.

Gastric cancer is treated by a group of doctors of various specialties: gastroenterologist, oncologist, surgeon, oncologist-radiologist, and nutritionist. To be completely confident in the prescribed treatment plan, the patient can seek a second opinion from another Israeli doctor.

Oncologists determine the type of therapy required according to the stage and localization of the oncological process, the patient’s age and general health.

Israeli oncologists work closely with research centers and medical universities in the country, following the latest developments in the treatment of stomach cancer.

Oncosurgeons emphasize the use of minimally invasive interventions based on the principle of careful treatment of healthy body tissues, as well as the support of the patient’s immunity for better therapeutic results.

A holistic approach, rehabilitation after surgery, and comprehensive patient care have become a feature of gastric cancer treatment in Israel. Foreign patients choose Israel because, in addition to basic treatment, oncologists develop individualized recommendations for nutrition and lifestyle. People understand their plan of action after therapy and can live a quality life.

Most Israeli clinics that treat stomach cancer are accredited by the international quality commission JCI, ISO and the Israeli Ministry of Health, and have been awarded as the best hospitals in the world according to Newsweek magazine. 

The leading clinics in Israel for the treatment of stomach cancer are:

• Assuta Medical Center, Tel Aviv;
• Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center;
• Soroka Medical Center, Beersheba;
• Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan;
• David’s Cancer Center, part of the Beilinson Medical Center named after Yitzhak Rabin, Petah Tikva;
• Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem;
• Herzliya Medical Center;
• Rambam State Medical Center, Haifa.

In Israeli clinics, doctors treat patients diagnosed with stomach cancer in accordance with international standards and WHO protocols:

Gastric cancer surgery is the main method of treating gastric adenocarcinoma. In the early stages, endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is used. At stages 2-3, subtotal (partial) and total gastrectomy is used. During gastrectomy, the lymph nodes are removed (lymphadenectomy), in which Israeli oncologists have the appropriate experience and expertise. 

To alleviate symptoms, gastric bypass surgery, placement of a feeding tube, endoscopic stenting of the stomach opening and tumor ablation to eliminate food obstruction are performed. 

Chemotherapy for stomach cancer is a type of treatment with drugs that kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. The drugs are injected into a vein or taken orally in the form of tablets. These drugs reach all parts and organs with the bloodstream, which makes it possible to affect cancer that has spread beyond the primary tumor.

Targeted therapy of gastric cancer is the use of drugs that target certain types of proteins secreted by malignant tumors – HER2, VEGF, TRK. All these proteins contribute to the growth, nutrition and spread of tumors. 

Immunotherapy for gastric cancer is the use of drugs that help the human immune system to more effectively find and destroy cancer cells. Oncologists prescribe such medications to people with advanced gastric cancer with a positive HER2 test as part of the first treatment, along with chemotherapy and targeted drugs.

During radiation therapy, doctors use high-energy rays to treat stomach cancer. In the early stages, radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove. After surgery, to kill any cancer cells that have not been removed. In case of inoperable cancer, radiation therapy can sometimes be used to slow the growth of the tumor and relieve symptoms. 

This method uses a machine for three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) or IMRT – intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

In addition to the above standard methods, oncologists at Israeli medical centers have implemented the latest developments in the treatment of gastric cancer:

• During radiation therapy, modern techniques such as IGRT, IORT, NOVALIS, SBRT, SIRT are used to minimize the negative effects of radiation on the body.
• Targeted chemotherapy is the creation of artificial blood circulation in the tumor so that when a shock amount of cytostatic agent is introduced into the body, the tumor is maximally saturated with the drug and stops its growth.
• HIPEC – hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion – the method is used in case of extensive cancerous lesions of the abdominal cavity.
• Electrochemotherapy is the administration of drugs under the influence of a pulsed current.
• Minimally invasive surgery – organ-preserving interventions using robotic assistants, such as Da Vinci.
• Cyber-knife – a radiosurgical system used to target a tumor more precisely than during conventional radiation therapy. 
• Macrophagic surgery is a method of layer-by-layer removal of tissue around a malignant formation and the tumor itself. After each excised layer, the doctor analyzes the next one for the presence of cancer cells and, if found, removes it.
• Laser surgery – vaporization of the tumor (evaporation) using rays with a certain wavelength and high intensity. The technique allows removing tumors bloodlessly and with minimal damage to healthy tissues.
• Cryosurgery is a method of removing tumors and metastases using very low temperatures (up to -180°C).
• Focused ultrasound therapy under MRI control – the technique allows you to destroy cancer cells in a matter of hours.

The cost of treating stomach cancer in Israel varies depending on many factors – whether additional diagnostics will be performed in the clinic, what is the patient’s general health status, what treatments are needed (surgery alone or in combination with other types of therapy). The main factor affecting pricing is the stage of the oncological process. For example, treatment of stage 4 stomach cancer in Israel will cost more than treatment at earlier stages, as doctors have to apply several methods at the same time in several stages.

The amount also includes the cost of all consumables, medicines, ward accommodation, special meals and postoperative care. But the total cost of treating stomach cancer in Israel is lower than in Europe and the United States. 

To understand how much stomach cancer treatment in Israel costs in your case, leave a request on the Expert Medicals website, and a consultant will calculate the approximate amount according to your medical situation. The exact cost of treatment is calculated by the clinic after it gets acquainted with the full information about the patient. 

If you decide to undergo treatment for stomach cancer in Israel, you will be in the safe hands of professors and candidates of medical sciences from leading Israeli universities, experienced specialists with up-to-date knowledge and specially trained medical staff.

For easy adaptation abroad, Experts Medical team selects a clinic in accordance with the wishes and capabilities of the patient, organizes a consultation with a doctor, prepares medical reports and the results of preliminary studies. If necessary, the personal coordinator will book accommodation and tickets to Israel. Experts Medical services are provided free of charge, the patient pays only for treatment, transfer, housing and additional expenses directly to the hospital. 

Do you want the Experts Medical team to select a clinic and a gastric cancer treatment program in Israel for you? Just leave a request on the website and a doctor-coordinator will contact you as soon as possible.