Sheba Medical Center
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Chemotherapy for breast cancer | from $22,500 | from $1,200 | from $15,000 |
| CAR T-cell therapy | from $72,000 | from $150,000 | from $350,000 |
| Leukemia chemotherapy | from $28,500 | from $8,000 | from $15,000 |
| Therapeutic Apheresis | - | from $1,350 | - |
Leading leukemia specialist at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) – Israel's largest and most advanced hospital.
Dr. Ram has performed several hundred stem cell transplants, a cornerstone treatment for leukemia, at Sourasky Medical Center.
Head of Pediatric Oncohematology at Dana Dwek Children's Hospital – Dr. El Hasid specializes in bone marrow and umbilical blood transplants for children.
Prof. Amos Toren, MD, PhD, MHA, is a pediatric hemato-oncologist and BMT specialist. He served as Director of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and BMT at Sheba Medical Center.
He is board certified in Pediatrics, Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation. He holds a PhD in Human Genetics. He was Head of the Hematology Division at Tel Aviv University for two terms. He is a member of ASH, COG, ESPHI, EBMT, and CIBMTR. He also serves on the Ministry of Health Cord Blood Committee.
He led one of Israel’s most advanced pediatric oncology and BMT programs. The program treated children and young adults. His focus includes leukemia and lymphoma, immunodeficiencies, and rare cancers. He specializes in BMT and CAR T-cell therapy.
His translational research covers CAR T cells, cytokine-induced killer cells, pediatric brain tumors, and targeted therapies. He has worked with St. Anna, the NIH, and St. Jude. His publications include studies on pediatric SCT prophylaxis and PARP resistance.
Written by Anna Leonova
Leukemia treatment in Israel is safe and follows international protocols. Facilities like Sheba Medical Center hold Joint Commission International accreditation. Specialized isolation units protect patients from infections. Multi-disciplinary teams manage clinical risks. Expert hematologists oversee advanced therapies like CAR T-cell and stem cell transplants.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers demonstrate a high level of specialization in cellular therapies. Sheba Medical Center treats over 2 million patients annually and is a global leader in CAR-T programs. Dr. Ron Ram at Sourasky Medical Center has performed several hundred stem cell transplants. This high procedural volume typically translates to better management of complex treatment side effects. Patients should note that CAR T-cell therapy packages often include 21 days of hospitalization for close monitoring.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that medical care remains excellent, though they recommend checking travel advisories for geopolitical stability. Many emphasize the importance of English-speaking staff at major centers like Ichilov and Sheba for clear communication about side effects.
Israeli hematologists are highly qualified specialists who undergo over a decade of rigorous training. Experts like Dr. Michael Shapira and Dr. Ron Ram maintain full English proficiency. Most senior physicians completed fellowships at prestigious institutions in the United States or United Kingdom. This ensures clear communication for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a strong correlation between English proficiency and high-volume specialty procedures. Doctors like Dr. Polina Stepensky at Hadassah, who performed over 3,500 transplants, and Dr. Ron Ram, with several hundred stem-cell cases, frequently publish in international English journals. This link between clinical research and fluency means patients seeking advanced therapies like CAR-T often work with the most linguistically capable teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while senior doctors are typically fluent, it is helpful to request an English-speaking coordination team for smoother communication with junior nursing staff. Those treated at JCI-accredited centers like Sheba or Sourasky report that language barriers rarely affect the quality of medical care.
International patients in Israel achieve a 90% average oncology success rate for leukemia. Top-tier centers like Sourasky and Sheba report survival outcomes that match or exceed global benchmarks. Specialized CAR T-cell therapy and advanced stem cell transplantations drive these high remission rates for complex blood cancers.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a significant price gap for identical CAR T-cell protocols in Israel. Packages at Sheba Medical Center are approximately $80,000, while Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) charges around $366,950. Both are Newsweek Top 10 hospitals, but Sourasky’s package includes longer 21-day hospitalization and 14-day hotel stays for recovery.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that international protocols in Israel are identical to those for locals, though costs are higher. Many emphasize that intensive monitoring in Israeli clinics helps maintain long-term remission after complex transplants.
Leukemia treatment in Israel typically requires a stay of 4 to 8 weeks for initial therapy and monitoring. Complex procedures like CAR T-cell therapy involve a 21-day hospital stay. Bone marrow transplants often necessitate 2 to 3 months in the country for recovery and isolation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While most international patients expect long hospitalizations, our data shows a shift toward hybrid recovery. For instance, CAR T-cell packages at Sourasky Medical Center bundle 21 days in the hospital with 14 days in a nearby hotel. This suggests that clinics prioritize moving stable patients to a comfortable setting quickly. It reduces the feeling of being in a clinical environment while maintaining immediate access to specialists like Dr. Ron Ram.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that initial stays for ALL treatment often last 5 weeks and include lumbar punctures. Many emphasize the importance of coordinating with home-country doctors early to ensure a smooth handover after the first 3 months of intensive care.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center are the most experienced Israeli hospitals for international bone marrow transplants. These JCI-accredited facilities perform hundreds of transplants annually. They utilize advanced CAR T-cell therapy and immunotherapy. Many specialists hold certifications from the American Society of Bone Marrow Transplantation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Clinical leadership often dictates the procedure volume and success. For instance, Dr. Arnon Nagler at Sheba pioneered the first cord blood transplant in Israel. Meanwhile, Dr. Polina Stepensky at Hadassah has personally performed over 3,500 procedures. Patients should select clinics based on these specific physician caseloads rather than just general hospital rankings.
Patient Consensus: Patients frequently emphasize the necessity of securing a donor match before arriving in Israel to prevent treatment delays. Many note that larger centers like Sheba or Hadassah are better equipped for English-speaking international patients compared to smaller municipal hospitals.
Candidacy for CAR T-cell therapy in Israel depends on disease subtype, treatment history, and physical fitness. Patients typically require a relapsed or refractory diagnosis after two prior therapy lines. Eligibility also requires strong organ function and an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centers like Sheba Medical Center often process CAR-T applications faster than European counterparts. While standard protocols suggest an age cap of 70, Israeli specialists frequently approve patients in their 80s if biological age and fitness are high. Dr. Arnon Nagler at Sheba and Dr. Ron Ram at Sourasky oversee programs with over 900 cases, often finding trial slots when commercial options are full.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize completing genetic mutation profiling and organ labs before the first consultation to speed up approval. Many note that treating minor infections early prevents sudden exclusion from time-sensitive clinical trial windows.
Post-discharge support for international leukemia patients in Israel focuses on detailed medical documentation and specialist consultations. Leading centers like Sheba Medical Center provide formal follow-up examinations and oncohematologist consultations within their treatment packages. This ensures a safe transition before patients return to their home countries.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While Israeli hospitals offer world-class CAR T-cell therapy and transplants, formal remote monitoring is often limited once you leave. Data shows Sheba Medical Center packages specifically bundle follow-up examinations into their $80,000 protocols. Patients should prioritize these inclusive packages to ensure they have a dedicated window for post-treatment stabilization before flying home. This gap between hospital discharge and your flight is the most critical time for catching delayed immune responses.
Patient Consensus: Patients note they must proactively arrange for their local oncologists to accept Israeli treatment plans before returning home. It is essential to request all medical records and medication names in English to avoid local pharmacy or treatment delays.