Lymphoma Treatment in Israel

Lymphoma treatment in Israel means 100% accurate diagnosis and selection of the only right method of treatment for the patient.

What is lymphoma? Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps the body fight diseases.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more frequently than another cancer of the lymphatic system, Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, tumors develop from white blood cells – lymphocytes.

There exist many types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Most patients coming to Israel for treatment have diffuse large B-cell lymphomas and follicular lymphomas.

Hematologists-oncologists of the Israeli clinic “Top Ichilov” offer state-of-the-art treatment of all types of lymphoma in Israel.

Symptoms Of Lymphoma

The symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include:

• painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin;
• stomach bloating or pain;
• chest pain, cough or breathing problems;
• fatigue;
• fever;
• night sweats;
• weight loss.

If you have long-term signs and symptoms of the disease, schedule a medical appointment.

Causes Of Lymphoma

Researchers do not know why non-Hodgkin lymphoma develops. It is known, though, that this disease is a result of the abnormal production of lymphocytes, or white blood cells.

Normal lymphocytes have a predictable life cycle. Old blood cells die, and the body produces new ones to replace them. In non-Hodgkin lymphoma, lymphocytes don’t die. They continue to grow and multiply. The overabundance of lymphocytes affects lymph nodes: they swell and become enlarged.

What Types Of Cells Are Affected By Lymphoma?

• B-cells fight infections by producing antibodies that neutralize harmful agents. Most non-Hodgkin lymphomas develop from B-cells. Subtypes of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma.
• T-cells destroy harmful agents directly. T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas occur less often. Subtypes of T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas include: peripheral T-cell lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

The nature of the non-Hodgkin lymphoma has a significant impact on selection of cancer treatment methods in Israel.

Where Does Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Develop?

The “non-Hodgkin lymphoma” diagnosis usually means that there are malignant lymphocytes in the patient’s lymph nodes. However, the disease may spread into other elements of the lymphatic system. Signs of cancer spread are usually found in:

• lymphatic vessels;
• tonsils;
• adenoid vegetations;
• spleen;
• thymus;
• bone marrow.

In some cases, non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects organs that are not part of the lymphatic system.

Risk Factors

Most non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients have no evident risk factors. And vice versa, people with risk factors rarely get the disease. In any case, potential risk factors include:

• Use of drugs that suppress the immune system.

If you had an organ transplantation, subsequent immunosuppressive therapy may lead to the development of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After organ transplantation and use of corresponding drugs the patient’s body weakens and loses its normal ability to resist diseases.

• Certain viral and bacterial infections.

It seems that certain viral and bacterial infections increase the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Such viral infections include HIV and the Epstein-Barr virus. The list of potentially dangerous bacteria includes ulcer-forming Helicobacter pylori.

• Exposure to chemical agents.

Exposure to some chemicals, such as herbicides or insecticides, increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

• Older age.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma may develop at any age, but the risk is greater for older adults. Most often, the disease occurs in patients above the age of 60.

Lymphoma Diagnosis In Top Ichilov

The non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis involves the following tests and procedures:

• Physical exam. The doctor will examine you and check the size and condition of your lymph nodes. It is also necessary to find out whether your spleen and liver are enlarged.
• Blood tests and urinalysis. Blood tests and urinalysis help differentiate lymphoma from other conditions.
• Visual studies. Visual studies help detect tumors in the body. These include X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT).
• Taking a lymph node sample for analysis. Your doctor may recommend biopsy. This is a procedure that involves taking a tissue sample or removing a lymph node. Laboratory testing helps diagnose non-Hodgkin lymphoma and determine the type of the disease.
• Search for malignant cells in the bone marrow. Your doctor may recommend bone marrow biopsy to find out whether the cancer has spread into the bone marrow. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a needle into the hip bone and takes a sample of the bone marrow.

The diagnosis takes 3-4 days. The lymphoma diagnosis program costs $3936.

Comprehensive lymphoma treatment telemedicine package: $590.

✓ Right now: Get a free consultation with a Top Ichilov physician

It is important to correctly determine the type of the disease before starting treatment in the country of residence. Consult an Israeli physician right now, free of charge. Find out the prices for the necessary diagnostic procedures in Top Ichilov.

What Are The Benefits Of Lymphoma Treatment In Israel?

1. Precise diagnosis. There exist two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are also about 40 subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is necessary to determine the exact type of the disease in order to plan appropriate treatment. In Israel, lymphoma is diagnosed according to the biopsy results. The biopsy itself may be performed in another country; Israeli specialists determine the type of malignant cells during revision (verification) of the biopsy taken in the patient’s country of origin. The experience shows that Israeli doctors often make a different diagnosis after revision of the biopsy. The cost of biopsy revision in Israel amounts to $700. If biopsy revision does not help diagnose lymphoma type, doctors perform lymph node biopsy (cost of the procedure: about $2800) or removal of the enlarged lymph node for testing (this surgery costs about $10,000).
   In Israel, a state-of-the-art visual study – PET/CT – is used to detect all areas of enlarged lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy). In Israel, this technology is not considered exotic and is used everywhere for both initial lymphoma diagnosis and treatment effectiveness control. The cost of PET/CT amounts to about $2000.
2. Sparing treatment. As has been said, lymphoma often occurs in young people. This is why Israeli doctors do everything they can to avoid excessive chemotherapy or irradiation which may have a negative impact on the patient’s health in the future. When treating Hodgkin’s lymphoma, many physicians recommend PET/CT after the first cycles of chemotherapy. If the disease stops progressing, chemotherapy is ended. This is why most people can live a fulfilling life and have children after lymphoma treatment. Lymphoma treatment in Israel often involves new generation drug therapy, including immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies. Unlike conventional chemotherapy drugs, these agents only affect malignant cells and do not harm healthy tissues.
3. Newest equipment and qualified specialists. Bone marrow transplantation is used in severe lymphoma cases. It involves high-dose chemotherapy or radiation therapy to kill bone marrow cells and replacement of these cells with healthy ones, taken either from a donor or from the patient themselves. The healthy cells are prepared for the procedure in the laboratory. Bone marrow transplantation prevents lymphoma recurrence in 50% of cases.
4. Israeli specialists have been using bone marrow transplantation for many years. They have extensive experience received in the world’s leading cancer centers. For allogeneic transplantation in Israel, experts use reliable schemes to determine the compatibility of patient and donor. After transplantation, the patients are highly vulnerable to various diseases and are accommodated in special isolated boxes equipped with special ventilation and HEPA filter system to clear the air from germs. The personnel responsible for patient care undergoes special preparation. This guarantees absolute sterility in the boxes.

Physicians Specializing In Lymphoma Diagnosis And Treatment In Top Ichilov

Lymphoma treatment is provided by the leading Israeli hematologists-oncologists specializing in bone marrow transplantation:

Professor Ella Naparstek, hematologist-oncologist with 40 years of professional experience. Professor of Hematology Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, author of more than 160 scientific papers. Worked in the leading clinics of Israel and the United States; member of 8 international professional organizations..

Doctor Odelia Gur, hematologist, hematologist-oncologist, professional experience: about 30 years. Head of day inpatient facility in the Oncology-Hematology Department. Member of Hematology Associations in Israel and the United States.

Lymphoma Treatment In Israel

What treatment is recommended for lymphoma?

• Cases when immediate treatment is not necessary

If your lymphoma develops slowly, the doctor may recommend surveillance. Indolent, symptom-free diseases usually do not cause problems for many years.

Not starting therapy immediately does not mean that you are going to face your disease alone. Your doctor will schedule regular testing. The specialist will check your condition once in a few months. This monitoring allows for timely detection of the disease progression.

Methods Of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment In Israel

If your non-Hodgkin lymphoma is aggressive and causes symptoms, the doctor will recommend suitable treatment methods. Lymphoma treatment methods include:

• Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy involves using drugs (orally or intravenously) to kill cancer cells.

The doctor may recommend a chemotherapy drug alone, in combination with other chemotherapy agents or in combination with other disease treatment methods.

• Radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) involves using high power beams, most often X-rays. Radiation promotes destruction of malignant cells and shrinkage of tumors.

During the session the patient is positioned on a special table. A large machine directs a beam at the patient’s body. The beam moves within a strictly pre-determined frame. Radiation therapy may be used either alone or in combination with other lymphoma treatments.

• Stem cell transplantation.

Stem cell transplantation is a procedure that involves using very high doses of chemotherapy drugs or radiation.

Higher dosage destroys cancer cells that are resistant to standard doses of drugs or radiation. Later, the doctor introduces healthy stem cells – your own or your donor’s – back into the body so they can produce new, healthy blood cells.

• Drugs that increase the immune system’s ability to fight cancer.

Biological therapy drugs help the body’s immune system to fight non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For instance, there is a drug called “rituximab” (Rituxan).

This is a monoclonal antibody that attaches itself to B-cells and thus helps the immune system to recognize and destroy these cells. Rituximab decreases B-cell levels without differentiating malignant cells from healthy ones but the body continuously produces new, healthy B-cells to replace those that have been destroyed. The risk of malignant B-cell reoccurrence is very small.

• Drugs that deliver radiation straight to the cancer cells.

Radioimmunotherapy drugs are monoclonal antibodies able to transport radioactive isotopes. Thus, the antibody, having attached itself to a cancer cell, irradiates it directly.

For lymphoma treatment, doctors use a radioimmunotherapy drug called “ibritumomab tiuxetan” (Zevalin).

Before the Consultation

If you have worrisome symptoms, schedule an appointment with your family doctor or a general practitioner. If the physician suspects you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, they will refer you to a specialist in blood diseases (hematologist).

Medical consultations are usually brief but the doctor still shares a lot of information with the patient. It is best to prepare for your appointment ahead of time. Below, you will find advice on preparing for a medical consultation.

What You Can Do

Find out whether you should follow any requirements before the appointment. When you schedule the consultation, ask whether you should undertake any measures in advance, for instance, restrict your diet.

Make a list of your symptoms, including those that seem unlikely to have anything in common with the reason of your consultation with a doctor.

Write down key personal information, including recent drastic changes in your life and periods of severe stress.

Make a list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements that you regularly take.

Consider taking a close relative or a friend with you. At the doctor’s appointment you will be given a lot of information. If you’ll miss or forget something, your relative or your friend will help you remember the important information.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

The duration of a doctor’s appointment is limited so it is best to compile a list of questions beforehand. Make a list on a sheet of paper so that the most important questions are among the first ones to be asked; it is possible that you will not have enough time to cover all topics that interest you. If you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, you may want to ask your doctor the following questions:

1. Is it true that I have non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
2. What is the type of my non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
3. What is the stage of the disease?
4. Which non-Hodgkin lymphoma do I have: aggressive or indolent?
5. Is additional testing required?
6. Do I need treatment?
7. What treatment methods are suitable for me?
8. What side effects are characteristic of each of these treatments?
9. What impact will non-Hodgkin lymphoma treatment have on my everyday life? Am I able to work?
10. What is the duration of treatment?
11. Which treatment method, in your opinion, will work best for me?

Do not restrict yourself to the questions you’ve prepared beforehand – ask the doctor anything that will come to mind during the consultation.

The Cost Of Lymphoma Treatment In Israel

How To Receive Lymphoma Treatment In Top Ichilov In Israel

1. Call the clinic right now: +972-37621629
2. Or fill in the form below. Our doctor will contact you within 2 hours.