Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Ronit El Hasid
38 years of experience
Clinic is certified :
Retinoblastoma treatment cost in Israel typically includes specialized diagnostics ranging from $2,800 to $4,500. Primary surgical interventions like enucleation of the eye run from $9,500 to $14,500, while advanced intraarterial chemotherapy costs between $14,000 and $24,000. Expenses depend on the tumor stage, involvement of the optic nerve, and the chosen multidisciplinary approach. Patients can expect 30-50% savings compared to the US. Top treatment centers are located in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Jerusalem.
Typical Retinoblastoma Treatment Costs in Israel
Bookimed Expert Insight: For advanced retinoblastoma, multidisciplinary care at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky (Ichilov) is essential. Their pediatric oncology team, including specialists like Dr. Ronit El Hasid, achieves a 90% success rate. Sheba Medical Center is ideal for patients seeking cutting-edge precision medicine. Clinics often provide international patients with free airport transfers and dedicated interpreters to streamline the process.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Radiation therapy for colorectal cancer | ≈ $14,000 | from $5,000 | from $6,700 |
| Photocoagulation | ≈ $900 | from $400 | ≈ $750 |
| High intensity focused ultrasound ablation (HIFU) | ≈ $7,500 | from $10,000 | ≈ $7,500 |
| Enucleation of eye | ≈ $9,500 | from $1,800 | ≈ $9,500 |
| Chemotherapy for breast cancer | ≈ $22,500 | from $3,000 | ≈ $9,500 |
Dr. Ronit El Hasid specializes in pediatric bone marrow and umbilical blood transplants, with over 300 procedures performed.
Dr. Zvi Cohen is the Director of the Neurosurgery Department at Sheba Medical Center. He was recently recognized in Forbes Israel’s Best Doctors list for 2025. Dr. Cohen specializes in treating complex brain, pituitary, and spinal cord tumors. He founded the brain tumor tissue bank at Sheba to support oncological research. Dr. Cohen is board-certified in neurosurgery and leads clinical trials for malignant brain tumors.
Dr. Yuri Goldes is the Deputy Director of General Surgery at Sheba Medical Center. He pioneered some of Israel’s first robotic resections for stomach and pancreatic cancers. Forbes Israel named him among the nation’s best gastrointestinal surgeons. In 2019, he received the Best Doctor of the Year award from the Israeli Ministry of Health.
Leads the Pediatric Ophthalmology Department at Sourasky Medical Center – a major Israeli hospital.
Israeli oncology centers report exceptionally high survival rates for retinoblastoma, typically exceeding 95%. Localized cases specifically reach up to 98% survival. Leading institutions prioritize globe salvage and vision preservation. Advanced intra-arterial chemotherapy protocols help avoid eye removal in 70% to 90% of patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists like Dr. Gal Goldstein at Hadassah Medical Center focus heavily on precision medicine and genetic RB1 mutation testing. This approach is vital because even with high survival, there is a 20% to 30% recurrence risk in advanced bilateral cases if focal therapy alone is used. Selecting a center with integrated genetic research helps tailor long-term monitoring for your child.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize requesting an intra-arterial chemotherapy eligibility assessment immediately to maximize eye salvage chances. They also note the importance of tracking long-term vision function metrics alongside survival outcomes.
Israel offers advanced treatments for retinoblastoma including intra-arterial chemotherapy and cryotherapy. Specialized centers like Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center provide precise focal therapies. These methods prioritize eye preservation and vision salvage using integrated oncology protocols. Most leading hospitals maintain JCI accreditation for safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests specialized pediatric units like those at Sourasky Medical Center report a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking eye salvage should look for centers with established intra-arterial chemotherapy programs. While 26 clinics serve international requests, only those with dedicated pediatric onco-hematology departments provide the necessary multi-disciplinary expertise.
Patient Consensus: Parents report that choosing intra-arterial chemotherapy early often helps avoid eye removal and shrinks tumors significantly. Many note that while procedures like cryotherapy cause temporary swelling, the benefit of preserving sight outweighs the recovery time.
Doctors in Israel create personalized treatment plans by integrating precision diagnostics with a multidisciplinary approach. Specialists use DNA sequencing and advanced imaging to identify specific tumor markers. This data allows oncologists to select targeted therapies like intra-arterial chemotherapy or cryotherapy to preserve vision and health.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Rambam shows a high demand for pediatric specialists who hold international board certifications. For example, Dr. Gal Goldstein at Hadassah Medical Center focuses specifically on retinoblastoma and precision medicine. This specialization is a key indicator of quality, as these doctors often manage over 400,000 patients annually in their respective facilities.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that the speed of diagnostic results in Israel is a major relief. They often highlight the comfort of having a dedicated pediatric team that explains every step of the vision-sparing process clearly.
Israel hosts several internationally recognized centers for retinoblastoma care. Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center lead in eye preservation technologies. These JCI-accredited facilities maintain high success rates. Specialized pediatric units utilize intra-arterial chemotherapy and advanced plaque brachytherapy to save sight.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a high concentration of expertise in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. Both Sheba and Sourasky manage over 1.8 million patients yearly. This massive volume allows surgeons like Dr. Ronit El Hasid to specialize deeply. She alone has conducted over 300 transplantations for complex pediatric cases. High-volume centers often provide better access to specialized intra-arterial chemotherapy protocols.
Patient Consensus: Parents note that tumors can shrink significantly after just two chemotherapy cycles. Many families emphasize that integrated surgeon-oncologist teams provide faster recovery than facilities in other countries.
Retinoblastoma care in Israel involves a multidisciplinary team led by pediatric ocular oncologists and hematologists. Specialists coordinate targeted therapies like chemo-plaque or cryotherapy within JCI-accredited facilities. This integrated approach ensures vision preservation while managing systemic health through genetic screening and precision imaging.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers often assign a pediatric oncologist as the primary case coordinator. This role is vital because retinoblastoma treatments frequently require exams under anesthesia. Having one lead doctor synchronized with anesthesiology prevents scheduling delays and simplifies the complex travel logistics for international families.
Patient Consensus: Parents emphasize naming one doctor as the main contact to avoid missed messages between departments. They also recommend requesting imaging on a USB drive after every scan to maintain a portable medical history.
International families receive administrative assistance with medical visas and treatment coordination through dedicated international departments. Israeli hospitals provide official invitation letters to facilitate the visa process. Professional translators and nursing coordinators assist with appointments. Multi-specialty centers help manage logistics for complex cases including retinal imaging and chemotherapy.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While major centers like Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center serve over 1 million patients annually, logistical support remains decentralized. Families should prepare for a self-funded stay of 1 to 3 months. Leading institutions often integrate social care into oncology programs. This helps bridge the gap between medical treatment and the practical needs of traveling families.
Patient Consensus: Families note that while hospitals provide coordination and translators, you must handle your own flights and housing. Many suggest joining local community groups on social media to find reliable short-term rentals and transport near Tel Aviv.
Israel is a premier neurosurgery hub due to its fusion of high-density medical innovation and elite surgical expertise. Top facilities like Sheba Medical Center integrate AI-guided navigation and real-time intraoperative MRI. Specialized centers report 98% success rates for complex procedures including awake craniotomy and movement disorder treatments.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows a clear divide between public and private options in Israel. Private centers like Assuta Medical Center perform over 92,000 operations annually and allow patients to select their specific lead surgeon. This is a vital advantage for complex cases where a specific expert like Dr. Eli Ashkenazi is preferred for his 1,000+ spine surgery record.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing original imaging on a USB for local review to streamline the surgical plan. They also note that private packages often include hotel coordination and airport transfers, making the logistics much smoother.
Israeli neurosurgeons treat a full spectrum of conditions ranging from brain and spinal tumors to complex functional disorders. Specialized centers utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, deep brain stimulation, and intraoperative MRI to manage epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and cerebrovascular pathologies with high precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals often combine specialties to handle complex cases. At Sourasky Medical Center, neurosurgeons like Dr. Zvi Lidar bridge neurosurgery and orthopedics for spinal care. This multidisciplinary approach allows clinics to perform 34,000+ operations annually. Choosing a facility with this crossover expertise often leads to more comprehensive treatment plans for degenerative diseases.
Patient Consensus: Patients value the ability to access specialized treatments like fluorescence-guided surgery for tumors which are often unavailable elsewhere. Many note that the staff is fluent in English and provides clear communication through teleconsultations before traveling.
Israel is home to world-renowned neurosurgery centers like Sourasky Medical Center, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center. These facilities are globally ranked for treating complex brain tumors, spinal disorders, and movement diseases. They utilize advanced technologies like Gamma Knife, robotic systems, and intra-operative MRI.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that while most patients focus on Tel Aviv, Rambam Medical Center in Haifa offers unique expertise in neuro-trauma. It operates a specialized neuro-ICU and serves nearly 1 million patients annually. This makes it an essential choice for complex post-trauma brain surgeries that requires intensive recovery support.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to start consultations early. They often highlight that the precision and follow-up care for complex brain tumors exceeded their expectations. One patient emphasized how quickly they could connect with top professors for second opinions during critical neurosurgical cases.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Prof. Zvi Ram, Prof. Shlomi Constantini, and Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These specialists hold leadership roles in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) and the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). They utilize advanced intraoperative mapping and robotic systems.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky and Sheba indicates a strong correlation between high surgical volumes and patient safety. For example, Sourasky performs 34,000+ operations annually with a 90% oncology success rate. Patients seeking complex tumor removals should prioritize centers like these where surgeons perform hundreds of specific cases each year.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the importance of finding a surgeon who specializes specifically in your condition rather than a generalist. Many note that high-volume centers provide better access to English-speaking staff and coordinated care for international visitors.
International neurosurgery patients in Israel must provide comprehensive medical records including recent MRI or CT scans translated into English. Admission requires a clinical review by specialists to confirm treatment feasibility. Hospitals often mandate full advance payment or a significant deposit before confirming surgery dates or issuing visa support letters.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Israeli facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center handle massive patient volumes, exceeding 1,000,000 people annually. This high demand means clinics prioritize complex or rare cases over routine procedures. Patients with unique or high-risk conditions often receive faster admission approval than those seeking standard treatments available elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that having all imaging results ready in English is essential for quick scheduling. Many emphasize that while the medical care is excellent, coordinating around Shabbat closures is necessary to avoid unexpected diagnostic delays.
A standard stay for neurosurgery in Israel ranges from 10 to 14 days for uncomplicated cases. Patients undergoing complex procedures like brain tumor removal or deep brain stimulation often require 4 to 6 weeks. This timeline covers pre-operative diagnostics, the surgical procedure, and essential post-operative monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from Sourasky Medical Center shows they treat over 400,000 patients annually with high success rates. Clinics with such high volumes, like Hadassah or Assuta, often have streamlined discharge protocols. This helps international patients transition to hotel-based recovery faster while maintaining access to top specialists.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is vital not to rush home too early. Some travelers extended their stay to 3 weeks due to swelling or to ensure they received final surgeon clearance before flying.
Israeli neurosurgery uses robotic guidance, real-time 3D imaging, and incisionless technologies to minimize physical trauma. Systems like Mazor Robotics provide sub-millimeter precision for spine implants. MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treats tremors without incisions. These advanced tools ensure high accuracy and reduce recovery times.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli clinics like Sourasky or Hadassah integrate proprietary Israeli-born technologies like Surgical Theater before they hit global markets. Our data shows these centers often use VR flight-through models for pre-surgical planning. This allows surgeons to rehearse complex cases, which is a key factor in their 90% success rates.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that technologies like the Gamma Knife allowed them to return home in days rather than weeks. Many move from traditional 10cm incisions to cuts under 2cm when using robotic-assisted systems.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery due to its integration of proprietary medical innovations and internationally trained specialists. High-capacity centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) perform over 34,000 annual surgeries. Patients access advanced techniques like awake craniotomy and MR-guided focused ultrasound.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgery stands out because of the high concentration of dually certified experts. Many top surgeons, such as Dr. Zvi Lidar, are certified to practice in both Israel and the USA. This ensures that patients receive American-standard surgical care while staying in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Our data shows that private centers like Assuta offer significantly faster access to these specific specialists compared to the public system.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to confirm a surgeon's specific volume of cases for your exact condition. They also value the ability to get expert second opinions quickly through online consultations with world-renowned professors.
Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) are among the best neurosurgery hospitals in Israel. These JCI-accredited facilities perform thousands of operations annually. They utilize advanced technologies like CyberKnife and intraoperative MRI to treat complex brain tumors and cerebrovascular lesions.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top Israeli centers like Sourasky and Hadassah perform over 40,000 total operations yearly. This high volume allows surgeons to maintain a 90% success rate even in complex oncology cases. Patients seeking robotic spine surgery or deep brain stimulation should focus on these high-capacity municipal centers for the most experienced teams.
Patient Consensus: Patients appreciate that some hospitals quickly coordinate consultations even during regional strikes. Families of pediatric patients especially value surgeons trained at prestigious international institutions.
Israel's leading neurosurgeons include Professor Zvi Ram, Professor Shlomi Constantini, and Professor Itzhak Fried at Sourasky Medical Center. These experts specialize in awake craniotomy, pediatric brain tumors, and functional mapping. Most hold JCI accreditation and international fellowships from institutions like Johns Hopkins and Yale.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-tier Israeli neurosurgeons, such as those at Sourasky Medical Center, often hold dual board certifications in Israel and the US. This unique crossover ensures patients receive American-standard protocols. These specialists typically manage over 34,000 annual operations, providing high-volume clinical experience that smaller private clinics cannot match.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that highly qualified doctors like Professor Shlomo Constantini provide satisfactory answers quickly. People emphasize that outcomes often depend on the hospital’s integrated resources rather than just a doctor's prestige.
Israel is a global leader in neurosurgery, treating complex brain and spinal conditions using robotic-assisted and minimally invasive techniques. Highly specialized units at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) and Hadassah Medical Center focus on neuro-oncology, pediatric neurosurgery, and functional procedures.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli neurosurgical departments often function as rapid-response hubs for international patients. Data shows that large centers like Sourasky, which serves 1,800,000 patients annually, can organize expert video consultations in a very short time. This speed is critical for neuro-oncology cases where starting treatment a few days earlier significantly impacts outcomes.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli teams often accept high-risk cases that other hospitals decline. They emphasize the importance of using local coordinators to manage travel logistics or potential local disruptions during their two-week stay.
International patients traveling to Israel for neurosurgery require a valid passport, an entry permit or medical visa, and a formal hospital invitation. You must provide recent MRI or CT scans in DICOM format and detailed medical summaries. Proof of private health insurance and financial stability are also mandatory for border entry.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Our data shows that top neurosurgeons at Hadassah Medical Center and Sourasky often request records 4–6 weeks before arrival. Submitting these early prevents appointment shifts. High-volume centers with over 30,000 annual operations have dedicated portals for secure DICOM file uploads. Using these ensures your surgeon reviews high-quality images before you land in Tel Aviv.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize bringing physical copies and digital backups of all scans on a USB drive. They also note that private insurance needs pre-authorization specifically for neurosurgery to avoid payment delays at the clinic.