Healthcare with Confidence
Advanced Diagnostics, Personalized Therapy, and Leading Specialists
Below you will find comprehensive information about bone cancer treatment in Israel, including modern treatment approaches, experienced oncologists, and leading Israeli hospitals specializing in bone and soft tissue tumors.
Bone cancer is a malignant growth caused by uncontrolled division of bone cells. Bone tumors may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Treatment and prognosis depend on the tumor type, location, and stage of the disease.
Israeli medicine is constantly focused on the development and implementation of innovative cancer treatments.
In Israel, patients can receive a reliable oncologist consultation or obtain a second medical opinion from one of the best Israeli doctors to define the most effective treatment strategy for their diagnosis.
Each patient is treated by a doctor who specializes specifically in bone tumors and sarcomas. These physicians are often heads of specialized departments in Israel’s leading hospitals and have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating bone sarcomas and complex skeletal tumors.
Types of Bone Cancer
- Bone cancer is relatively rare compared to other cancers and most often affects children, adolescents, and young adults.
- Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer and is diagnosed mainly in adolescents and young adults.
- Ewing’s sarcoma usually occurs in children and young people aged 10–20 years.
- Chondrosarcoma develops from cartilage tissue and is more common in adults.
- Fibrosarcoma originates from connective tissue within the bone and is characterized by aggressive fibroblast growth.
- Paget’s disease of bone increases the risk of bone cancer, and therefore tumors may develop more frequently in people over the age of 60.
Secondary (Metastatic) Bone Tumors
Secondary bone tumors are always malignant and occur when cancer spreads to the bones from other organs. The most common sources include:
- Prostate cancer
- Breast cancer
- Lung cancer
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact causes of bone cancer are not fully known. However, several factors may increase the risk, including:
- Previous exposure to radiation
- Certain inherited or acquired bone diseases
- Prior chemotherapy
- Genetic predisposition in rare cases
The most common locations of primary bone tumors are the hip, thigh, pelvis, shoulder, ribs, and long bones.
Symptoms of Bone Cancer
Symptoms vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. The most common symptom is persistent pain, which increases over time and is often worse at night.
Other symptoms may include:
- Swelling in the affected area (usually with larger tumors)
- Unexplained fractures
- Fatigue and weakness
- Anemia
- Weight loss
- Limited joint movement when the tumor spreads to nearby joints
Diagnostics of Bone Cancer in Israel
Initial suspicion of bone cancer is based on symptoms and clinical evaluation. A definitive diagnosis is established through imaging studies and biopsy.
Main Diagnostic Methods
- X-ray – the simplest and most important initial method for detecting bone tumors and distinguishing primary from secondary lesions.
- Bone scan – a highly sensitive test that can detect cancer cells at earlier stages than X-rays. A small amount of radioactive material is injected intravenously; cancer-affected bones absorb more of the substance.
- Computed Tomography (CT) – provides detailed three-dimensional images of the affected area.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – uses a magnetic field to visualize soft tissues and bone marrow involvement.
- Biopsy
To confirm the diagnosis and determine the tumor type, a biopsy is required:
- Needle biopsy – minimally invasive; sometimes performed under general anesthesia, especially in children.
- Open biopsy – a minor surgical procedure performed when needle biopsy is not possible or informative.
Bone Cancer Treatment in Israel
Bone cancer management depends on the tumor type, stage, location, and molecular characteristics. Treatment is planned by a multidisciplinary team.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Highly effective for certain cancers such as Ewing’s sarcoma, but less effective for others like chondrosarcoma.
Surgery
May include limb-sparing surgery, partial bone resection, or, in rare cases, amputation. Modern Israeli surgery focuses on preserving limb function using advanced reconstruction techniques, bone grafts, and endoprostheses.
Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses drugs that activate the immune system to destroy cancer cells and is increasingly used in selected bone and metastatic tumors.
Focused Ultrasound Therapy
May help relieve pain caused by both malignant and benign bone tumors.
Medications
Used to strengthen bones, reduce osteoporosis, control pain, and prevent complications such as fractures.
Prognosis
The prognosis for bone cancer depends largely on:
- Tumor type
- Tumor size and location
- Presence or absence of metastases
- Response to treatment
In general:
- Benign bone tumors have a very high cure rate.
- Localized malignant tumors (without metastases) can often be treated successfully with modern multimodal therapy.
