Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Ilana Itzhakov
37 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Prof. Amit Tirosh is a senior endocrinologist and Head of the Neuroendocrine Tumors Service at Sheba Medical Center. He specializes in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).
His work centers on hereditary NET syndromes. He is affiliated with the NIH in MEN1 research. He serves on an international VHL expert panel and helped write VHL management guidelines. He is the primary contact at Sheba’s multidisciplinary VHL clinic.
He leads the Endocrine Oncology Bioinformatics Lab. He collaborates with international teams, including the Weizmann Institute. He provides advanced NET care, including PRRT.
He earned his MD from the Hebrew University–Hadassah. He completed a residency at Assaf HaRofeh, an endocrinology fellowship at Rabin, and training at the NIH. He is board-certified in Endocrinology. He is a member of the Israeli Society of Endocrinology, the Endocrine Society, and the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society. He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed papers, including in JAMA, Gastroenterology, and Radiology.
Dr. Ilana Itzhakov specializes in endocrine disorders with over 37 years of experience of clinical experience at Ichilov Medical Center.
Dr. Asaf Oren specializes in pediatric endocrine conditions, holding a senior role at a leading children's hospital in Israel.
Dr. Uri Eal leads one of few dedicated pediatric neuroendocrinology departments at Sourasky Medical Center.
Initial diagnostics in Israel involve unenhanced CT scans and biochemical screenings to assess malignancy and hormonal activity. Doctors measure tumor density in Hounsfield Units (HU) and use dexamethasone suppression tests to evaluate cortisol levels. These protocols follow international European Society of Endocrinology standards.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah involve multidisciplinary teams including Nobel Prize winners and Forbes-listed specialists. While global standards exist, Israeli endocrinologists like Dr. Naomi Vayntrub or Dr. Amit Tirosh often cross-reference common incidentalomas with rare genetic dysfunction markers. This deep specialization in neuroendocrine tumors and metabolism ensures that even small, non-secreting masses are correctly staged before choosing surveillance over surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of requesting a full hormone panel immediately, as small adenomas can secretly cause severe hypertension. Many note that high-volume centers provide more reliable results for plasma metanephrine tests than general labs.
Surgery is mandatory in Israel when an adrenal adenoma shows hormonal activity. This includes tumors causing Cushing syndrome or Conn syndrome. Doctors also require surgery for masses larger than 4 cm. Any growth over 5 mm in 12 months is a clinical trigger for removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky report a 90% success rate by using a multidisciplinary approach. Specialized units often include pediatric neuroendocrinologists like Dr. Uri Eal for complex hormonal cases. This specialization ensures that surgeons balance malignancy risks against the benefits of conservative watchful waiting.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that second opinions are vital before acting on the initial fear of a diagnosis. Many emphasize tracking hormone levels for 6 to 12 months before deciding on surgery for small masses.
Leading Israeli centers utilize robotic-assisted surgery and advanced laparoscopy for adrenal adenoma treatment. Surgeons at facilities like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) employ AI-integrated systems and digital imaging for millimeter precision. These minimally invasive approaches ensure high safety standards and faster recovery timelines.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical infrastructure allows for extreme specialization. Dr. Amit Tirosh at Sheba Medical Center leads a dedicated service for neuroendocrine tumors. This specific focus is vital because high-volume centers performing over 34,000 operations annually often achieve a 90% success rate in oncology. Choosing a facility like Sourasky, which treats 400,000 patients every year, ensures your surgeon has extensive experience with rare endocrine pathologies.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that laparoscopic adrenalectomy is much easier to recover from than open surgery. Many suggest checking whether the surgeon performs at least 50 adrenal cases annually for the best results.
Adrenal tumor biopsies are not routinely performed in Israel. Leading facilities like Sourasky and Hadassah follow strict endocrine protocols. These favor non-invasive imaging and biochemical tests. Israeli specialists avoid biopsies due to risks of hypertensive crisis or spreading cancerous cells.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers report a 90% success rate by substituting biopsies with specialized adrenal CT protocols. Clinics like Sourasky perform 34,000 operations annually, often moving straight to surgery for large masses. This approach bypasses the 5% complication rate associated with needle-track seeding or internal bleeding.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that benign-appearing nodules rarely require a needle and emphasis is placed on monitoring or removal. Real stories caution that biopsies can lead to hemorrhage requiring intensive care stays.
Prominent Israeli institutions for adrenal adenoma care include Sourasky Medical Center, Hadassah Medical Center, and Sheba Medical Center. These JCI-accredited hospitals utilize robotic surgery and advanced hormonal profiling. Expert endocrinologists and surgeons coordinate care for both functioning and non-functioning tumors in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume is a major indicator of surgical proficiency in Israel. Sourasky Medical Center serves approximately 1,800,000 patients annually and performs over 34,000 operations. This massive scale ensures that specialists like Dr. Ilana Itzhakov maintain high clinical exposure to rare adrenal cases. When selecting a facility, look for these high-volume academic centers over smaller private clinics to ensure access to multi-disciplinary boards.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize choosing university-affiliated hospitals like Sheba or Hadassah to access the latest robotic technology. They often recommend verifying that a surgeon performs at least 50 adrenal cases yearly to ensure the best results.
Hormone replacement therapy depends on the tumor type and remaining adrenal tissue. Most patients with non-functioning adenomas do not require therapy. If the tumor produces excess cortisol, temporary replacement is needed while the second gland resumes function. Lifelong therapy is necessary only if both glands are removed.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli endocrinology departments at centers like Sourasky Medical Center prioritize specialized diagnostic screening before any surgical intervention. Our data shows that top experts like Dr. Naomi Vayntrub conduct thorough pre-operative hormone suppression testing. This protocol helps predict exactly which patients will need temporary steroid support. Many patients assume surgery always leads to lifelong therapy, but Israeli surgeons often preserve healthy tissue to maintain natural hormone production.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need for a full endocrine workup including dexamethasone suppression tests to plan recovery. Many suggest preparing stress-dose steroid instructions before surgery to handle post-operative energy changes safely.