Head of Department Prof. Yitzhak Meller
Deputy Head Dr. Yehuda Kollender
Head Nurse Ms. Rivka Berti
General Description
The National Department of Orthopedic-Oncology treats patients suffering from tumors and tumors like conditions(oncological and non-oncological) in the skeletal system (bones and joints) and soft tissues Pelvis, shoulders, spine, thoracic and abdominal walls, and, in some cases, head and neck. These diseases include malignant and benign primary tumors, malignant secondary tumors (metastasis) and pseudotumor conditions requiring intensive surgery even in non-malignant cases, such as life-threatening infections.
The main goal of the Department is to focus on limb-preserving surgery, and to prevent the need for limb amputation. In order to achieve this goal, the medical staff uses various types of artificial implants and bone, or a combination of the two. A particular problem exists with children where there is a need to ensure continued growth and prevent a future difference in the length of the limbs. Special implants have been built that can be extended by remote control via a magnetic / electric field.
The Department is recognized by the Ministry of Health as a Specialized Medical Service in Orthopedic-Oncology, which implies that any resident of the State of Israel is entitled to apply for and receive treatment in our Department, regardless of where he lives or which health fund he belongs to.
The Department for adults is located in the "Arison" Hospitalization Tower, and has 14 beds, children are hospitalized in the Dana Children's Hospital. About 20% of the patients are children. Patients who require chemotherapy are hospitalized in the Department of Oncology, and in other departments, depending on any additional medical requirements.
A total of 6,000 patients are treated in the Department every year, with approximately 850 requiring surgery.
The ratio between limb-preserving surgical amputations is 90%-95% to 5%-10%, i.e. the large majority of patients undergo successful limb-preserving treatment.
Department Staff
The Department staff treats patients of all ages (children are treated at the Dana Children's Hospital, and adults in the Arison Hospitalization Tower)
The staff includes a team of multidisciplinary professionals, who use a holistic approach throughout the treatment process.
The staff presents and publishes 10-15 scientific papers every year, published in international forums and Journals all around the world.
Main Services
Clinic: Several multidisciplinary follow-up clinics operate from within the Department of Orthopedic-Oncology: Follow-Up Clinic for Adults, Follow-Up Clinic for Children, joint clinics with Adult Oncology, Micro-Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedics, Surgery of Peripheral Nerves, Spine Surgery and a Clinic for Neuropathic Pain.
Primary clinics treat new patients or patients suffering from complications. These clinics work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Waiting time is between one and three days.
Needle Aspiration Biopsy: Biopsies are conducted by Dr, Flusser Head of the Musculo-Skeletal Radiology unit. Biopsies are performed every Sunday and Wednesday mornings. If needed, biopsies may also be conducted on additional days. Approximately 200 biopsies are performed every year, under CT or ultrasound guidance.
Surgical experience: All types of surgery are performed in the department: limb-preserving, amputations, use of implants and reconstruction of blood vessels and nerves. The Clinic also uses specific techniques, such as: injecting radioactive substances (Y-90) and freezing (Cryosurgery).
The Unit for Treating Metastasis (secondary tumors)
Innovative Methods Used in the Department
- Cryosurgery
- Replacement of infected sections of bone with modular and extendable implants
- Microsurgical methods of reconstructing missing sections of bone and soft tissue using free vascular bone grafts or free vascular soft tissues.
- Reconstruction and release of peripheral nerves after the removal of tumors
- Custom made and modular implants to replace large bone and joint defects including non invasive expandable implants for young and growing children.
Additional Information
Tumors of the Musculoskeletal system - bones and soft tissue - are rare, especially malignant tumors.
Orthopedic Oncology is a relatively young profession, that has existed for about 25 years around the world, and since 1988 in Israel. Approximately 40 cases of primary malignant bone tumors are diagnosed every year, with another 100 cases of primary malignant tumors in the soft tissue, such as muscles, blood vessels, tendons, cartilages and all other components of the Musculo-Skeletalsystem between the bone and the skin. These Malignant tumors are called sarcoma.
Approximately 400-500 benign tumors are detected in the Musculo-Skeletalsystem every year. In some cases the surgical treatment required is specific and demands special skills.
Another group of more common diseases is the metastatic bone diseases, which also require special skills and expertise in treatment.
Contact:
First Appointment: 03-6974688
Appointments (from the 2nd time on): 03-6974000
Fax: 03-6974690
Email: imortonc@tasmc.health.gov.il; ykjb@tasmc.health.gov.il
Location:
"Arison" Hospitalization Tower, 8th floor
Senior Medical Staff
Oncological Orthopedic Surgeons:
Prof. Yitzhak Meller - Head of Department
Dr. Yehuda Kolander - Deputy Head of Department
Prof. Yaakov Bickles - Senior Surgeon and head of the Metastatic bone disease service.
Dr. Solomon Dadia-Senior surgeon.
Dr. Alex Nirkin - Surgeon.
Nursing:
Ms. Rivka Berti - Head nurse
Ms. Oshrat Arbel- Deputy Head nurse
Ms. Shula Lev - Coordinating nurse
Ms. Noa Schneider - Social worker
Ms. Raz Martikaro- Physical Therapy.
Ms. Yael Sharon- Psycho-therapist
Affiliated and Partnership Units
The Unit for Musculoskeletal Radiology - Dr. Gideon Flusser
The Unit for Bone and Soft tissue Pathology - Dr. Josephine Issakov
The Unit for Bone and soft tissue Oncology - Prof. Ofer Merimski
Unit for Specific Cytogenetics - Dr. Miriam Goldstein, Prof. Avi Or
The Institute of Genetics
The Unit for the Treatment of acute Pains - Dr. Bareket Shif and her team
The Department of Neurosurgery - Tumors on the Spine, Head of Spine care unit - Dr. Zvi Lidar
Neurosurgery of the Peripheral Nerves - Dr. Shimon Rochkind
The Unit of Microsurgery - Dr Eyal Gur,Dr. Aric Zaretsky and Dr. Aaron Amir the Department of Plastic Surgery
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