Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Dvora Blumental
30 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Removal of meningioma | from $31,500 | from $21,900 | from $35,000 |
| Gamma Knife | from $13,800 | from $6,300 | from $32,000 |
| CyberKnife | from $17,500 | from $4,750 | from $50,000 |
| Craniotomy | from $28,500 | from $5,650 | from $20,000 |
| TrueBeam | - | from $3,500 | from $18,000 |
Prof. Zvi Cohen is Director of the Neurosurgery Department and the Neuro-Oncology Unit at Sheba Medical Center. He is a neurosurgeon and neuro-oncology expert. He was included in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors 2025. He leads clinical research on drug therapies for malignant brain tumors. He also founded Sheba’s brain tumor tissue bank.
He is board-certified in neurosurgery. He trained at Tel Aviv University. He completed fellowships in neuroradiology at Beth Israel and in neurosurgical oncology at MD Anderson. His practice covers complex brain, pituitary, spine, and spinal cord tumors. He has expertise in stereotactic biopsies, image-guided resections, intraoperative MRI, navigation systems, and radiosurgery. He is a member of the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the Israeli Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Yuri Goldes is a general surgeon with more than 20 years of clinical experience. He specializes in upper gastrointestinal and oncologic surgery. He is Deputy Director of the Department of General Surgery and Transplantation at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv. He also leads the Upper GI Surgery Unit. He was named to Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors in 2025. He is ranked among Israel’s Best Gastrointestinal Surgeons by Forbes. In 2019, he received the Israeli Ministry of Health “Best Doctor of the Year” award.
He is an expert in advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgery. He treats diaphragmatic hernia, achalasia, GERD, and gallbladder disease. He also performs oncologic surgery for pancreatic, gastric, and esophageal cancers. He uses laparoscopic and robotic techniques.
He pioneered some of Israel’s first robotic oncologic resections of the stomach and pancreas. He is among a small group worldwide who perform minimally invasive Whipple procedures (pancreaticoduodenectomy) using advanced laparoscopy. He applies methods that improve outcomes and speed recovery. He provides personalized care.
Dr. Dvora Blumental leads the Neuro-oncology Service at Sourasky Medical Center, specializing in meningioma care with 30 years of experience of focused experience.
Heads the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and is recognized as a top global neurosurgeon.
Most meningiomas are potentially curable, especially when located in areas allowing for gross total resection. Israeli oncology centers report a 90% average success rate for tumor treatments. Survival reaches 95% over ten years for grade 1 cases when surgeons achieve complete surgical removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out due to the extreme volume of complex cases handled by individual specialists. At Sourasky Medical Center, Prof. Zvi Ram brings over 25 years of experience in brain mapping and microsurgery. This high volume is critical because data shows experienced surgeons are more likely to achieve total removal while preserving speech and motor functions. Choosing a center performing over 30,000 annual operations, like Hadassah or Soroka, significantly improves the likelihood of a definitive surgical cure.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that a clean MRI five years post-surgery provides immense relief, though they stress the importance of never skipping annual follow-up scans. Many note that tracking even minor shifts in symptoms is vital for peace of mind long after the initial procedure.
Israel utilizes robotic systems like Da Vinci Xi and Mazor Robotics for high-precision neurosurgery. Specialized centers implement Suigical Theater for 360-degree virtual reality planning. Advanced intraoperative navigation and real-time brain mapping help surgeons remove tumors while preserving critical speech and motor functions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers demonstrate a unique integration of research and practice that benefits complex cases. For instance, Professor Dr. Zvi Ram at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) actively develops gene-based therapies alongside performing advanced neurosurgical operations. This means patients often access emerging protocols before they become global standards. With over 34,000 surgeries performed annually at Ichilov, the high procedural volume ensures surgeons maintain peak technical proficiency with these advanced tools.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that using an exoscope instead of a traditional microscope provides a better 3D view for the surgeon. They note this often leads to shorter operation times and a faster recovery by several days.
Meningioma procedures in Israel maintain a 95% success rate at specialized neurosurgical centers. Facilities like Sourasky Medical Center report survival rates up to 98% for general neurosurgery. Specialist surgeons utilize Brainlab neuronavigation and Gamma Knife technology to ensure high tumor control and patient safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many focus on surgery, Israel stands out for its high-volume neuro-oncology services. Sourasky Medical Center alone treats over 400,000 patients annually. Prof. Dr. Zvi Ram brings 25+ years of experience in brain mapping and gene-based therapies. These high-volume centers often achieve better outcomes than smaller clinics due to specialized equipment like the Zeiss KINEVO 900 microscope.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that focusing on the tumor location is more important than raw statistics. They emphasize that while costs are 20% to 50% higher than some other regions, the superior outcomes for complex cases justify the travel.
Surgery is not always necessary for meningioma. Many of these tumors are benign and grow very slowly. Doctors in Israel often recommend observation through regular MRI scans if the tumor is small. Intervention is reserved for tumors causing symptoms or showing documented growth during follow-up.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a significant price gap between non-invasive and surgical options in Israel. While a craniotomy can reach $44,500, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is available for around $13,800 to $19,200. Patients with tumors near critical structures may save over $10,000 by choosing specialized radiation if their neurosurgeon confirms it is a safe alternative to traditional surgery.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors often prefer a wait-and-see approach for incidental findings. Many people live with stable tumors for over 5 years using only imaging surveillance and tracking symptoms like headaches or balance issues.
Non-invasive treatments for meningioma in Israel primarily involve advanced radiation technologies like Gamma Knife and CyberKnife. These stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) options target tumors without incisions. They are highly effective for small lesions under 3 centimeters. Most patients return home the same day as the procedure.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many patients seek radiosurgery for its non-invasive nature, Israeli centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) often favor it specifically for tumors near critical nerves. Data shows that for lesions under 3 centimeters, SRS provides a 95% success rate in halting growth. This approach avoids the risks of traditional neurosurgery while maintaining long-term stability.
Patient Consensus: Patients often choose radiosurgery for its outpatient nature and lack of scarring. Many emphasize that while it is not always a permanent cure, it provides years of stability for benign tumors with very little downtime.
Standard meningioma treatment in Israel requires 10 to 14 days for surgery and initial recovery. Patients undergoing craniotomy stay 5 to 7 days in the hospital. Non-invasive procedures like Gamma Knife or CyberKnife usually allow for same-day discharge or a 24-hour observation period.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While general guidelines suggest 2 weeks, Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center coordinate complex cases that may require longer. Prof. Dr. Zvi Ram at Sourasky uses advanced brain mapping which improves surgical precision. Our data shows that patients choosing private facilities like Assuta often benefit from more flexible discharge schedules. This helps coordinate with international flight requirements more effectively than in larger public wards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that staying at least 3 weeks or more is safer. This helps avoid potential complications like swelling or seizures during the flight home. Many suggest getting written travel clearance from the surgeon only after the final post-op scans are reviewed. They emphasize that rushing home can lead to difficult readmissions in your home country.
You can receive an online consultation for meningioma treatment before traveling to Israel. Leading centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center utilize telemedicine platforms for international patients. These sessions allow neurosurgeons to review imaging and discuss surgical or radiation plans remotely.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that choosing a multidisciplinary center like Sourasky, which serves over 400,000 patients annually, ensures access to both surgical and radiation expertise. Coordinating your virtual visit with a neuro-oncologist like Dr. Dvora Blumental provides a comprehensive second opinion on benign or malignant tumors. This preliminary step often confirms if minimally invasive techniques are viable before you book your flight.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is essential to upload DICOM files via secure links before the call for an accurate assessment. Many feel that paying for a detailed video session is worth it to avoid travel uncertainty.
Israeli neurosurgeons use advanced technologies such as intraoperative MRI (iMRI), neuronavigation GPS systems, and robotic digital exoscopes to remove meningiomas. These tools allow for precise tumor resection while protecting healthy brain tissue and critical nerve functions. Most major Israeli medical centres hold JCI accreditation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because leading specialists often double as pioneers in medical technology. For instance, Dr Zvi Cohen at Sheba Medical Center helped found a brain tumor tissue bank and specializes in intraoperative MRI systems. This direct link between clinical practice and tech development means patients access tools like iMRI in a highly integrated environment.
Patient Consensus: Patients note Israeli specialists emphasize real-time nerve monitoring to protect motor skills. They appreciate how surgeons use advanced scans to explain treatment trade-offs clearly before the operation.
Israel offers advanced non-surgical radiation for meningioma. Clinics use CyberKnife and Gamma Knife to treat tumours without incisions. These technologies target tumours with precision. They are ideal for cases where surgery is risky. Most treatments require only 1 to 5 sessions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centres show a clear specialization in neuro-oncology through leadership roles. Dr Zvi Ram heads the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. This reflects the high standards found at Sourasky Medical Center. Patients benefit because these leaders often pioneer the latest non-surgical protocols before they become global standards.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that radiation is a vital choice for hard-to-reach tumours in Israel. They highlight that while it focuses on shrinking the tumour, managing delayed side effects like fatigue is important.
Israeli specialists do not always mandate surgery for meningioma. They prioritise non-invasive pathways like active surveillance and radiosurgery. Doctors at JCI-accredited centres like Sourasky or Sheba evaluate tumour growth, symptoms, and location. They recommend surgical resection only when a tumour threatens neurological function.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical protocols often favour specialized radiation even for surgically accessible tumours. At Sheba Medical Center, Professor Yaacov Lawrence uses precision radiation to control tumours that other regions might default to operating on. This approach maintains patient quality of life while effectively halting tumour progression. Our data shows patients frequently choose these non-surgical pathways when tumours are near critical nerves.
Patient Consensus: Israeli doctors assess how tumours affect daily life before recommending a craniotomy. Patients note it is common for specialists to suggest monitoring or radiation instead of immediate surgery. This focus on risk assessment provides peace of mind for those with slow-growing tumours in Israel.
Sheba Medical Center and Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center are Israel's premier institutions for neuro-oncology. These JCI-accredited facilities handle thousands of complex brain surgeries annually. They use advanced technologies like Gamma Knife and intraoperative MRI to treat primary and secondary brain tumours.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While major public hospitals like Sheba serve millions, patients specifically seeking meningioma removal often choose them for the sheer volume of cases. Dr Zvi Cohen at Sheba has founded a brain tumour tissue bank, which signals a deep focus on research-led surgical outcomes that general hospitals cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to send MRI scans ahead of time to confirm plans. They also value having a multidisciplinary team in Israel review cases at formal tumour boards.
Diagnostic and planning phases for meningioma treatment in Israel typically take 1 to 3 weeks. Specialist teams require approximately 2 to 3 days for confirmatory scans and on-site consultations. Multi-disciplinary tumor boards then finalise surgery or radiation maps within 2 to 7 days.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli centres such as Sheba Medical Center integrate neurosurgery and radiation oncology within single all-inclusive packages. These bundles often include post-operative hotel stays and nutritionist-planned meals. This structured approach helps Australian patients manage recovery logistics without separately booking multiple providers or facilities.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to provide high-quality imaging files before travelling to Israel. The rapid transition from initial consultation to multidisciplinary review ensures treatment plans are highly accurate and individualised.
Treatment for meningioma in Israel typically requires 17 to 21 days for surgical cases. This timeframe includes preoperative diagnostics and a 7-day hospital stay. Patients usually spend another 10 days in a local hotel for recovery and follow-up clinical assessments before flying home.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery bundles at centres like Sheba Medical Center often include the first 10 days of hotel stay. This arrangement is vital because neurosurgeons typically require a final follow-up visit before granting fit-to-fly clearance. Coordinating these stays together simplifies logistics for Australians travelling long distances.
Patient Consensus: Patients note surgery requires much longer stays than radiation. They recommend booking flexible flights and building in a 3-day buffer after hospital discharge for wound checks in Israel.