Treatment of tongue cancer in Israel

Treatment of tongue cancer in Israel gives patients a high chance of preserving speech functions. One of the additional advantages is that the cost of treatment in Israeli hospitals is lower than in hospitals in Western countries. According to the Israeli Physicians Association, the cost of tongue cancer treatment in this country is 22% lower than in Germany and other developed European countries, and 54% lower than in the United States. 

The main methods of treating tongue cancer in Israel are surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy in combination with each other or separately. The specific treatment plan for a malignant tumor will be determined by doctors after a detailed examination of the patient.

Tongue cancer develops from atypical cells on the organ. The tongue begins in the throat and continues into the mouth. It consists of muscles and nerves that help a person speak, eat, and swallow. There are two types of tongue cancer: oral and oropharyngeal. 

Oral tongue cancer starts in the mouth and can cause symptoms almost immediately. A dentist can detect it first because this part of the tongue is easily visible.

Oropharyngeal tongue cancer starts in the throat and can grow for some time before causing symptoms. When unusual sensations appear, they can be common and have many causes. If a person has a sore throat or ears, an ENT or general practitioner may first check for other causes. Cancer on the back of the tongue can be difficult to see and diagnose. Sometimes, it is detected only after the cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in the neck.

What are the signs of tongue cancer? At an early stage, tongue cancer does not cause symptoms. Sometimes, it is accidentally detected by an ENT or dentist during an oral or throat examination. When tongue cancer occurs in the mouth, the first sign is often an ulcer that does not heal. Other symptoms may include pain or bleeding in the mouth and a lump or thickening on the tongue. When tongue cancer occurs in the throat, the first sign may be swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Other symptoms can be associated with weight loss and ear pain. There may also be a lump in the back of the mouth, throat or neck.

Diagnosis of tongue cancer in Israel is carried out according to international protocols. The main types of examinations include:

• Consultation with an otolaryngologist. The doctor examines the patient’s oral cavity for suspicious lesions. He performs a laryngoscopy – an examination of the throat, and also feels the neck to detect enlarged lymph nodes.
• Biopsy. The essence of the method is to obtain a sample of tumor tissue for analysis in the laboratory.
• PET-CT. The procedure combines 2 types of scanning – positron emission tomography and computed tomography. This allows to detect of the smallest metastases up to 0.2 mm.

An extended examination of the oral cavity and oropharynx is performed based on the primary examination data. In this case, for further diagnosis of tongue cancer in Israel, the following are taken into account: age and general health of the patient, symptoms, blood and urine tests results.

The following examinations can be used to diagnose tongue cancer in Israel:

• Endoscopy. It allows the doctor to look inside the mouth and throat. A thin, flexible tube with a light and lens attached to it, called an endoscope, is inserted through the nose to examine the head and neck.
• Brush biopsy of the oral cavity. Doctors sometimes use this technique to detect tongue cancer. The doctor uses a small brush to collect cell samples from a suspicious area. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• Testing for human papillomavirus (HPV). It is performed on a sample of a tumor removed during a biopsy. Knowing whether a person has HPV can help determine the stage of cancer and the most effective treatment options.
• X-ray. The oncologist may recommend an X-ray to detect abnormal changes in the mouth or neck.

What tumor markers show tongue cancer? Serum levels of CEA, SCC-Ag, and ferritin are diagnostic and can be potential tumor markers for screening patients with malignancy in the oral cavity.

Cancer of the tongue and oropharynx can be cured if detected at an early stage. It is important not only to cure the disease but also to preserve the function of nearby nerves and tissues. Israeli doctors take into account how treatment can affect the patient’s quality of life in the future.

The Israeli doctors team will work with the patient to create the best treatment plan. Head and neck cancer specialists often form an interdisciplinary team for each patient. This team may include:

• medical oncologist – a doctor who treats tongue cancer with chemotherapy or other medications;
• radiation oncologist – a specialist in radiation therapy
• otolaryngologist (ENT) – examines the condition of the ear, throat and nose during treatment;
• oncologist – a doctor who performs the removal of a malignant tumor;
• plastic surgeon – a doctor who specializes in reconstructive surgery during volume interventions;
• maxillofacial orthopedist – a specialist who performs restorative procedures in the head and neck area;
• dental oncologist or oral oncologist – a doctor who has experience in treating people with head and neck cancer;
• speech therapist – a medical professional who specializes in speech and swallowing disorders;
• psychologist and psychiatrist – these specialists take care of the emotional needs of a person with cancer and the needs of their family.

There are 3 main options for treating tongue cancer: surgery, radiation therapy (radiotherapy) and medical treatment (including immune drugs).

Surgical treatment of tongue cancer in Israel will depend on the type of surgery and the patient’s condition. Radiation therapy on the CyberKnife can cost about $9000 for one course. The cost of new-generation immunotherapy will depend on the type and duration of the drug. Long-term immunotherapy drugs give a better chance of remission and complete recovery.

Most often, after surgery, radiation therapy, drug treatment, or a combination of both may be required. Depending on the location, stage, and other features of tongue cancer, some people may need more than 1 surgery to remove the tumor. After that, the appearance and function of the affected tissues are usually restored.

The most common methods of surgical treatment of tongue cancer in Israel:

• Surgery of the primary tumor. The malignant tumor and the edge of healthy tissue around it are removed.
• Glossectomy. This is a partial or complete removal of the tongue.
• Mandibulectomy. If the tumor has penetrated the jaw, then part of the affected bone is removed.
• Maxillectomy. During the operation, the doctor removes part or all of the hard palate.
• Dissection of the neck. Cancer of the tongue or oropharynx often spreads to the cervical lymph nodes. In this case, it may be necessary to remove some or all regional lymph nodes.
• Laryngectomy. This is a partial or complete removal of the larynx. Surgery may be required to treat tongue cancer that has spread to the oropharynx.
• Transoral robotic surgery and transoral laser microsurgery. These are minimally invasive surgeries that do not require large incisions to get to the tumor and remove it.

Glossectomy is used to surgically treat tongue cancer when other therapies have failed. Some people only need to have part of the tongue excised, while others need to have the entire tongue removed. Taking into account the hospital stay, such treatment of tongue cancer in Israel can cost about $30,000.

The tumor at the base of the tongue is usually large at the stage of diagnosis because, in the early stages of the tumor, it is difficult to see. The only early symptom is ear pain. Later, voice changes and difficulty swallowing appear.

Treatment options for tongue root cancer in Israel vary depending on the stage, which includes the size of the tumor, its location and the spread of the malignant process. Whenever possible, Israeli oncologists develop a plan that preserves the patient’s ability to breathe, speak and eat normally. Surgery and radiation remain the most effective methods of treating cancer of the base of the tongue. Treatment can be complemented by modern drug therapy, which is available in leading Israeli clinics such as Beilinson, Herzliya and Shiba. 

Experts Medical staff analyzes information about the treatment of tongue cancer in Israel. You can see reviews from real patients on the pages of clinics that treat this disease.

The program of therapy and surgery in Israel includes the most modern methods of treating tongue cancer at different stages. Therefore, Experts Medical actively cooperates with proven and accredited medical centers. If you leave a request on the site, the coordinating doctors will be able to select the best clinics for the treatment of tongue cancer in Israel with reviews from real patients for you free of charge.

With the support of Experts Medical, patients are provided with:

• a second opinion from an Israeli professor;
• transfer of medical records to the hospital;
• organization of a trip to Israel;
• booking accommodation for accompanying persons and transfer from the airport.

By seeking help from Experts Medical specialists, you get the best options for treating tongue cancer in Israel.