Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel, Tel Aviv
Ofer Merimsky
41 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Small intestine cancer treatment cost in Israel typically involves diagnostic imaging like PET-CT ranging from $1,300 to $1,800 and specialized procedures like Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) which runs from $61,200 to $95,900. Total expenses depend on the cancer stage, surgical complexity, and specific medication protocols. Patients often save approximately 20-40% compared to the United States. Top treatment centers are located in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
Typical Small Intestine Cancer Treatment Costs in Israel
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients with advanced abdominal involvement should consider Sourasky Medical Center for HIPEC and Whipple surgery. This facility reports a 90% average success rate for oncology treatments. For complex surgical needs, Assuta Medical Center offers private care with 92,000 annual operations. International patients benefit from centers like Hadassah, where Forbes-listed specialists provide multidisciplinary care for rare gastrointestinal malignancies.
| Israel | Turkey | Austria | |
| Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) | from $61,200 | from $22,500 | from $40,000 |
| Chemotherapy for breast cancer | from $22,500 | from $1,200 | from $15,000 |
| Small intestine resection | - | from $12,150 | from $25,000 |
| Radiation therapy for colorectal cancer | - | from $7,000 | from $12,000 |
| Radiation therapy for bowel cancer | - | from $5,800 | from $6,975 |
Dr. Pelles Sharon specializes in advanced cancer treatments, including small intestine cancer, at Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).
Prof. Merimsky leads the Unit for Soft Tissue and Bone Oncology at Sourasky Medical Center, specializing in rare tumors like small intestine cancer.
Dr. Arnon Nagler is an internationally recognized hematologist and bone marrow transplant expert. He is a Professor of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. He is Director Emeritus of Hematology & Bone Marrow Transplantation and the Cord Blood Bank at Sheba Medical Center. He earned his M.D. from the Hebrew University–Hadassah and an M.Sc. in hematopoiesis from Tel Aviv University. He completed postdoctoral training at Stanford. He is board certified in internal medicine and hematology.
He has more than 35 years of experience. He pioneered reduced‑intensity allogeneic transplant protocols for malignant and non‑malignant diseases. He founded Israel’s first public cord blood bank. He performed the country’s first cord blood transplants.
He has held international leadership roles. He served as Chair and Co‑Chair of the ALWP of the EBMT. He was a vice‑chair and long‑term member of EBMT committees. He served on the board of NetCord/EuroCord and as treasurer. He is a frequent invited speaker. He has published widely in journals such as Blood and Leukemia. He has led major clinical trials as a principal investigator and held editorial roles. He has received multiple awards for innovation and clinical excellence.
Prof. Ido Nachmany heads the Second Surgical Department at Sheba Medical Center. He specializes in HPB and robotic surgery for diseases of the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts, and for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors. He also performs adrenal, spleen, and stomach surgery. Forbes listed him among Israel’s top physicians.
He advances minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic techniques. The aim is better precision and faster recovery.
Credentials: Senior Lecturer at Tel Aviv University. Member of ASTS and IHPBA. Completed HPB and abdominal transplant fellowships at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. Board certified in General Surgery (Israel), Abdominal Organ Transplantation (ASTS), and HPB Surgery (University of Pittsburgh). He has published in Cancer Research, the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and the European Journal of Surgical Oncology.
Israel reports an oncology success rate of approximately 90% for small intestine cancer. Localized adenocarcinoma 5-year survival reaches 85%. Carcinoid tumors show localized survival rates up to 97%. Advanced protocols and early screening programs for ages 50–74 drive these high recovery outcomes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While overall statistics are high, surgical volume is the strongest predictor of success. Surgeons like Dr. Joseph Klauzner and Dr. Almog Ben Yaacov at major centers have performed over 200 to 1,000+ complex gastrointestinal procedures. This high volume directly supports the reported 90% success rates found in Israel.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that individual outcomes often exceed general statistics when pursuing aggressive multimodal therapy. They note that survival feels more achievable at high-volume centers where doctors combine surgery with specialized treatments like HIPEC.
Israeli surgeons routinely perform small-bowel resections using laparoscopic, robotic-assisted, and open midline laparotomy techniques. Laparoscopic approaches typically involve 3 to 6 incisions between 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm. Robotic-assisted procedures use similar 1 cm ports with a potential 5 cm extraction incision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists like Dr. Yuri Goldes and Prof. Ido Nachmany at Sheba Medical Center prioritize robotic-assisted surgery for complex neuroendocrine tumors. While laparoscopy is standard, robotic systems provide 3D precision in deep abdominal areas. This approach often prevents the need for large 20 cm open incisions even in difficult cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that choosing laparoscopic methods can reduce hospital stays to just 3 days. Many highlight that post-surgery gas pain from minimally invasive ports can initially feel more intense than the small incisions themselves.
International patients undergoing small intestine cancer treatment in Israel typically spend 5 to 10 days in the hospital. Surgeons usually require a local stay of 10 to 14 days post-discharge before clearing long-haul flights. Advanced robotic and laparoscopic techniques prioritize early mobilization within 24 hours of surgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology packages frequently bundle 14 nights in a hotel because surgeons prioritize managing the low-residue diet transition locally. At Sheba Medical Center, the HIPEC package explicitly includes this 2-week hotel stay. This structure ensures patients pass critical dietary milestones under medical supervision before flying home. Expert surgeons like Dr. Almog Ben Yaacov have performed over 200 HIPEC procedures, often emphasizing this extended local monitoring period.
Patient Consensus: Patients recommend booking flexible lodging near the clinic for at least 2 weeks. Many emphasize arranging home support early because full energy levels may take 3 to 6 months to return.
Israeli oncologists use genomic profiling and biomarker testing to select between chemotherapy and biological therapy. They prioritize targeted drugs only for specific mutations like KRAS or NRAS. Immunotherapy is reserved for patients with microsatellite instability. Most patients start with 5-FU based chemotherapy regimens.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli specialists like Dr. Almog Ben Yaacov at Sheba Medical Center often combine systemic drugs with aggressive surgical techniques. While chemotherapy is standard, Sheba and Sourasky Medical Center offer HIPEC packages starting around $52,300. This specialized approach treats abdominal spread that traditional chemotherapy might not reach effectively. Experience matters here, as top surgeons in these centers have performed over 200 of these complex procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize requesting molecular testing early to see if they qualify for newer targeted drugs. Many note that while chemotherapy is usually the first step, seeking a second opinion from a dedicated gastrointestinal oncology specialist is vital for rare cases.
Israeli hospitals like Sourasky and Sheba specialize in small intestine cancer surgery. They offer advanced Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC for abdominal tumors. Look for Joint Commission International accreditation and board-certified surgeons with international fellowships. Sourasky reports a 90% oncology treatment success rate.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sheba and Sourasky operate at massive scales. They treat between 400,000 and 2 million patients annually. This high volume allows surgeons like Dr. Almog Ben Yaacov to perform 200+ HIPEC procedures. Such specialization is rarely found outside these major academic hubs.
Patient Consensus: Patients value how coordinators manage logistics like airport transfers and local housing. Many note that Israeli medical teams explain complex diagnostic results clearly and directly.
Entering Israel for oncology treatment involves a standard B/2 tourist visa or an ETA-IL authorization starting in 2025. You must process an official medical invitation from your hospital for entry. Specialized medical insurance is mandatory for most clinic admissions to cover potential emergencies.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli hospitals like Sourasky and Sheba specialize in managing high volumes, treating over 400,000 and 2 million patients annually. Their international departments provide visa support letters specifically to prevent entry delays for oncology patients. Since standard travel insurance often excludes pre-existing cancer, choosing a package from Sheba that includes hotel stays can help manage logistics while focusing on treatment.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that a standard tourist visa is sufficient for most Western nationalities. They note that the hospital-assigned English-speaking coordinators are essential for navigating paperwork and customs questions effectively.
Medical tourists in Israel receive specialized language support through English-speaking coordinators and medical documentation in multiple languages. Hospitals provide Kosher and Halal meals while respecting religious observances like Shabbat. Facilities like Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center maintain dedicated international departments to ensure seamless communication during cancer work-up.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sheba Medical Center and Sourasky Medical Center manage immense patient volumes. Sheba treats over 2 million patients annually. This scale means their international departments are highly efficient at handling cultural nuances. Patients should note that while complex procedures like HIPEC cost around $52,300 to $68,000, these packages often include significant recovery perks. For example, some Sheba packages bundle 14 days of hotel stay, which provides a supportive environment for families during the recovery phase.
Patient Consensus: Patients find the direct, blunt communication style of Israeli doctors helpful for making quick decisions. While support staff primarily speak Hebrew, people note that a translation app or a trusted companion is useful for daily interactions.