Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers; according to statistical data, 9-12% of women develop this disease.
Treatment for breast cancer in Israel, employing optimal modalities, is performed in the Oncology Department at IES. Opportune diagnosis of breast cancer and personalized treatment in the majority of cases attains recovery. The prospects for recovery of early stage breast cancer patients exceed 90%.
Breast Cancer Symptoms
Breast cancer is a malignant growth arising in glandular tissue. Primary tumor is classified as the seal in the mammary gland detected by palpation. The following are other breast cancer signs:
Breast deformation and resizing
Nipple retraction
Skin changes: redness, “orange peel” skin appearance
Bloody nipple discharge
Breast Cancer Diagnosis
The following examinations must be performed to diagnose breast cancer:
- Mammography screening
- US (Ultrasound)
- MRI
A breast biopsy involves sampling tumor tissue and conducting subsequent histological and immunohistochemical analysis. First of all, the presence of malignant cells in the specimen can substantiate the diagnosis of breast cancer. Second of all, the histological type is diagnosed based on a biopsy (ductal carcinoma, medullary carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma, etc…) and essentially establishes the disease trajectory and prognosis. Moreover, innovative treatment modalities of breast cancer in Israel are centered around the particular symptoms of cancer cells: the presence of estrogen receptors and progesterone receptor expression HER 2. As part of the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in Israel a genetic test is also conducted: analysis to determine mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The presence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations confers inherited breast cancer.
COST OF BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
The cost of specialist consultations and diagnostic techniques starts at $4,000
Cost of treatment (if necessary):
Surgery – starts at $10,800
Chemotherapy – starts at $2,000 per session
Breast Cancer Treatment in Israel
Surgery: Surgery is determined by tumor size, the degree of its infiltration into the surrounding tissue and the manifestation of malignant lymph nodes. In the case of small tumor diameter, a lumpectomy is an option – resection of the tumor while conserving the breast. Mastectomy is conducted for large-sized tumors – removal of the entire breast. Following mastectomy a breast reconstruction is performed using the patient`s own tissue or a synthetic graft. Contingent upon the medical reconstruction, mastectomy may be performed forthwith or deferred to a later date.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) is performed on patients who have undergone a lumpectomy, with the aim of eradicating remaining cancer cells and for prevention of recurrence. Physicians also refer postoperative radiation therapy patients with large-sized tumors, when there is a high probability of the presence of malignant cells in the lymph nodes.
Chemotherapy: Adjuvant (postoperative) chemotherapy is provided to most patients following mastectomy. Chemotherapy aims to eradicate cancer cells and impede local recurrence. In the advanced stages of breast cancer, chemotherapy is implemented as a means of battling metastasis. Preoperative chemotherapy is implemented to affect larger tumors: it instigates their regression and enables radical removal.
Hormonal therapy: In some patients cancer cells are hormone-dependent, in other words, they contain receptors that attach to estrogen and progesterone. Drugs that inhibit receptors in cancer cells are used to influence hormone-dependent tumors, or inhibit the body`s natural ability to produce estrogen.
Target (Targeted) therapy: Some cancers are characterized by overexpression of HER2 receptor, which plays a significant role in malignant cell development. Targeted drugs are capable of binding to this receptor and irrevocably disrupt the livelihood of cancer cells. At IES the leading private medical center in Israel, target therapy has been effectively implemented as an optimal breast cancer therapy.
Breast Cancer
IES boasts a plethora of breast cancer cases being successfully cured. Subsequent to treatment, the patient remains under medical surveillance and is treated in the hospital to undergo a control examination and receive further specialist consultation. Looking at these beautiful young women who have survived, it is impossible to believe that the devastating discovery of breast cancer once brought despondency to their lives.
The Anamnesis of Maria S.
The Anamnesis of Maria S. from Liverpool, England is a good case in point that if you believe, miracles do happen in medicine, but only when they are supported by professional physicians, effective treatment modalities and, of course, the patient`s readiness to combat the disease.
Maria recently turned 50. “A year from now my son Alexander will have finished school and my daughter Natasha is going to get married, I`m making plans for the future” said Maria “but to my dismay I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I really wanted to see my children grow up, and suddenly realized that maybe I will not have the chance.” Maria discovered a lump in her breast on her own, and proceeded forthwith to consult a surgeon. Following the biopsy, the medical diagnosis was disappointing – invasive ductal carcinoma. A mastectomy was necessary to remove the tumor. Maria decided to undergo the surgery in Israel, at IES, due to the excellent outcomes of this kind of operation in this medical center. The mastectomy surgery was conducted at the Oncology Department of IES ,and in addition, she underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. “It was a difficult time” – says Maria – “It was very hard to tolerate the treatment, but the doctors and nurses tried to convince me that you have to fight till the end, they did everything possible and the impossible”. Maria then underwent breast reconstruction at the Plastic Surgery Department.
Cecile from Lumbashi 56 years old
When I discovered I had breast cancer, it was like the end of the world to me.
I had just gotten married and wanted to start building a family. No woman in my family has ever had breast cancer and so it took me by surprise!
My physician in Congo told me that he had just returned from a medical conference in Israel a month ago and that he was amazed at the wonderful treatment they give to breast cancer patients. I called up IES and within four days was on my way to IES.
Thank you for all the people at the hospital who reached out continuously and didn`t give up on me. I am so grateful to Dr. Hanna Loutan for your faith in healing me. You gave me my inner strength to get through this difficult time, maybe it’s the Holy Land which creates miracles and wonderful people like that. I adopted a strong will to live after what I`ve been through. I’m grateful for the support in my cancer survivorship.
“I am forever indebted to the physicians” says Wendy “ they gave me a second life, and it’s truly a priceless gift.”
