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Best Chordoma doctors in Israel: TOP 4 doctors

Compare top Chordoma doctors and prices in Israel. Find your best match here.

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Medically reviewed by Fahad Mawlood

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Top doctors

4

Israel

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14,000+

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Ofer Merimsky

  • 5 Excellent • 7 reviews
  • 41 years of experience
  • accreditations:
  • Location: Israel, Tel Aviv
  • Clinic:
    4.5
    Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)

  • Leading expert in bone and soft tissue sarcomas – Prof. Merimsky heads the sarcoma department at Sourasky Medical Center.

    • 41 years of experience of specialized experience in orthopedic oncology
    • Fellowship-trained in sarcoma treatment at Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris
    • Member of ESMO Faculty for soft tissue and bone sarcoma
    • Published numerous research papers on sarcoma treatments
    • Performs complex oncological cases including metastatic lesions
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Yuri Goldes

  • New
  • 28 years of experience
  • Location: Israel, Ramat Gan
  • Clinic:
    5.0
    Sheba Medical Center

  • 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.

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Jakov Bikels

  • New
  • 33 years of experience
  • Location: Israel, Tel Aviv
  • Clinic:
    4.5
    Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)

  • Leads the Metastatic Bone Lesions Department at Ichilov Medical Center, focusing specifically on complex bone cancers like chordoma.

    • Orthopedic surgeon specializing in oncological orthopedics
    • Professor at Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Medicine
    • Educated at Hebrew University of Jerusalem
    • Conducted clinical internships in the United States
    • Senior doctor at an Israeli oncological orthopedics center
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Raanan Berger

  • New
  • 27 years of experience
  • Location: Israel, Ramat Gan
  • Clinic:
    5.0
    Sheba Medical Center

  • Professor Raanan Berger, MD PhD, is a medical oncologist and radiotherapist. He is Director of the Cancer Center at Sheba Medical Center and heads its clinical research unit. He was listed in Forbes Israel’s “Best Doctors” (2025). He leads the genitourinary oncology program with a focus on prostate cancer. His care includes systemic therapy and radiotherapy in a multidisciplinary, patient-centered model.

    He is board-certified in oncology. He earned his MD and PhD at Tel Aviv University and completed his clinical training at Sheba. He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Dana-Farber/Harvard, focusing on prostate cancer with Dr. Philip Kantoff and molecular oncology in Dr. William C. Hahn’s lab. He is a member of ESMO and ASCO. He has co-authored more than 20 peer-reviewed papers, including studies on outcomes in high- versus very high-risk prostate cancer and on BRCA1/2 in large cohorts.

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Choosing a clinic abroad can be stressful. At Bookimed, with over 800K patients helped, we understand your concerns. We know how to find trusted doctors, the best price-quality options, and solutions for even complex cases. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

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Choosing the Right Doctor and Clinic: Insider Tips

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Bookimed Insights: Top Chordoma Specialists in Israel (2026)

Bookimed has coordinated 53706 requests for Chordoma treatment in Israel, collaborating with 4 top-rated specialists. The doctors in this table are selected based on their international credentials, clinical expertise, and patient outcomes. The 2026 ranking is formed using verified data from actual patient cases and current programs from our partner clinics.
RankDoctorexperienceGood Fit ForWhat Sets Them ApartClinic & LocationConsultation
#1
Ofer Merimsky
41 years of experienceComplex bone sarcomasHeads Israel's premier sarcoma unit with international fellowship training. ESMO faculty member dedicated specifically to bone and soft tissue tumors.
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel
from $950
#2
Jakov Bikels
33 years of experienceMetastatic bone disease and complex tumorsHeads the dedicated Metastatic Bone Lesions Department at a major hospital. Also a professor at Tel Aviv University, with U.S. training.
Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov)
Israel
Price on request

FAQ

These FAQs come from real patients seeking medical assistance through Bookimed. Answers are given by experienced medical coordinators and trusted clinic representatives.

What are the risks of nerve damage or functional loss with chordoma surgery in Israel?

Chordoma surgery in Israel involves neurological risks depending on tumor location and proximity to nerves. Skill base procedures may cause 15% neurological deficit rates, while sacral resections lead to urinary or bowel dysfunction in up to 81.5% of cases. Precision navigation and multidisciplinary teams help preserve critical functions.

  • Skull base risks: Cranial nerve damage may cause vision issues, hearing loss, or swallowing difficulties.
  • Spinal cord impact: Tumors in mobile spine sections carry risks of localized weakness or paralysis.
  • Sacral dysfunction: Procedures near the sacrum frequently result in sexual, bowel, or bladder issues.
  • Advanced navigation: Israeli centers utilize PathKeeper and endoscopic endonasal approaches to protect healthy tissue.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky Medical Center report a 90% success rate in treating complex tumors. This high performance stems from huge surgical volumes, with Sourasky and Assuta together performing over 125,000 operations annually. Patients should note that such high-volume centers often provide more predictable functional outcomes due to their specialized neuro-oncology infrastructure.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that sensory losses like tailbone numbness are significant daily challenges. Many note the importance of finding rehabilitation teams early to manage permanent nerve changes or feeding tube dependency.

How experienced are Israeli surgeons with chordoma resection and what technologies do they use?

Israeli surgeons perform high-volume chordoma resections at specialized centers like Sourasky Medical Center. Teams specialize in en bloc resection and minimally invasive transorbital approaches. Leading experts include Dr. Ofer Merimsky and Dr. Jakov Bikels. Facilities combine robotic platforms with real-time 3D navigation to preserve neurological function.

  • Surgical precision: Surgeons use navigated ultrasonic osteotomy for precise bone cutting during spinal resections.
  • Minimally invasive: Endoscopic endonasal and transorbital approaches access skull-base tumors without opening the skull.
  • Robotic systems: CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery targets residual tumor cells with high-dose radiation after surgery.
  • Neurological safety: Specialists like Dr. Zvi Ram employ intraoperative mapping to protect critical nerves.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers demonstrate high expertise in rare bone tumors. Sourasky Medical Center alone treats over 1,800,000 patients annually and reports a 90% average success rate for oncology. This volume allows surgeons like Dr. Jakov Bikels to specialize deeply in metastatic bone lesions. Patients benefit from this concentration of rare case experience which is often unavailable in smaller medical systems.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to confirm the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring and real-time imaging before surgery. They also note that centralizing care in specialized centers is more important than the specific city location.

What functional recovery and rehabilitation support should I expect after sacral chordoma surgery?

Recovery after sacral chordoma surgery in Israel focuses on intensive rehabilitation to restore mobility and manage neurological shifts. Patients often spend 6 to 12 months in specialized therapy. Multidisciplinary teams prioritize nerve preservation and pelvic stability through physical and occupational therapy in JCI-accredited centers.

  • Mobility training: Physical therapists rebuild leg strength and balance using advanced gait-assistive technologies.
  • Neurological support: Specialists manage bowel and bladder changes common with S2 nerve resections.
  • Pelvic stabilization: Occupational therapists use adaptive equipment to improve sitting tolerance and daily independence.
  • Pain management: Dedicated protocols address neuropathic pain through medication and physiatrist-led care plans.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky, which handles over 34,000 operations annually, integrate oncology and rehabilitation within a single facility. This structure allows surgeons like Dr. Jakov Bikels to coordinate directly with rehab specialists. Data suggests that patients benefit from these highly specialized orthopedic oncology units where therapists handle rare sacral tumors daily rather than general spinal cases.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that sitting tolerance returns slowly and is often the final hurdle. Many note that preparing the home with elevated seating before surgery significantly reduces early recovery stress.

How long must I stay in Israel for the full surgical episode and early follow-up?

Full chordoma treatment in Israel typically requires a 21 to 30 day stay. This timeline covers pre-operative staging, specialized neurosurgery, and critical early follow-up. Most patients spend 7 to 10 days hospitalized. You must remain in-country for 14 days post-discharge to manage flight safety.

  • Pre-operative window: Plan 5 to 7 days for CT scans and neurological consultations.
  • Hospital stay: Surgical recovery for chordoma usually requires 2 to 10 days inpatient.
  • Flight clearance: Surgeons require 10 to 14 days post-op before authorizing air travel.
  • Follow-up milestones: Initial wound checks and stitch removal occur within 7 days post-discharge.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli oncology centers like Sourasky Medical Center report a 90% success rate. High-volume centers perform 34,000 operations annually, ensuring surgical teams are highly practiced. Choosing a facility with JCI accreditation and Newsweek rankings provides a verified safety framework for complex bone tumors. This volume-to-outcome correlation is a key quality indicator in Tel Aviv clinics.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize planning for at least 4 to 6 weeks total. They note that rushing recovery or flying too early can lead to complications or travel discomfort.

Which hospitals in Israel treat the highest volume of chordomas and accept international patients?

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center are the primary Israeli hospitals for high-volume chordoma treatment. These JCI-accredited institutions manage complex spine and skull base cases. They combine advanced neurosurgery with MRI-guided radiation therapy to ensure high success rates.

  • Specialized centers: Sourasky houses the National Center for bone and soft tissue sarcomas.
  • Advanced technology: Facilities use Elekta Unity MR-linac for precise MRI-guided radiation therapy.
  • Expert surgeons: Dr. Ofer Merimsky leads specialized multidisciplinary teams for rare bone tumors.
  • Surgical volume: Major tertiary centers like Sourasky perform over 34,000 operations every year.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While Sheba and Sourasky are public giants, Assuta Medical Center offers a private alternative. It performs 92,000 annual operations with higher personalized care. Patients often choose Assuta when they want to select their specific surgeon manually. This flexibility is rare in larger state hospitals where teams are assigned.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that Israeli centers offer more affordable advanced radiation than US hospitals. Many recommend bringing a translator or using apps to navigate consultations smoothly.

What are the recognised eligibility criteria to undergo surgery in Israel?

Eligibility for surgery in Israel depends on administrative status and clinical readiness determined by a multi-disciplinary assessment. Foreign patients must obtain a formal hospital invitation and secure a visa. Clinical criteria focus on tumor resectability, preoperative risk scoring, and mandatory informed consent from the patient.

  • Administrative status: International patients require a formal hospital invitation under the Medical Tourism Law.
  • Clinical clearance: A multi-disciplinary team of surgeons and anesthesiologists must formally approve surgical readiness.
  • Risk assessment: Surgeons use precise medical indices to evaluate the individual risk-to-benefit ratio.
  • Legal capacity: Patients must demonstrate cognitive capacity to sign detailed informed consent forms.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from top Tel Aviv facilities like Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) shows that eligibility for complex bone and soft tissue cases often depends on a surgeon's specific volume of experience. Prof. Dr. Ofer Merimsky and other specialists at large multidisciplinary centers may accept complex cases that smaller hospitals reclassify as high-risk. While public systems have rigid waitlists, private clinics like Assuta Medical Center, which performs 92,000 operations annually, often provide faster clinical eligibility decisions for international self-pay patients.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that eligibility often depends more on the tumor size and location than on strict age limits. Many emphasize that securing a surgeon's referral at a high-volume center is the fastest way to confirm clinical approval.