Ocular Melanoma Treatment in Israel
Melanoma, a type of cancer that occurs in the cells that produce melanin, can develop in the eye – most commonly in the uvea – uveal melanoma. Our staff at the Goldschleger Eye Institute and the Ella Lemelbaum Institute for Immuno-oncology at Sheba Medical Center offers a range of specialized medical and surgical services for eye disease.
Malignant eye tumors are rare, and our multidisciplinary physicians are experienced leaders in their fields, providing the latest ocular melanoma treatment in Israel. Sheba is one of the only centers across the world to have both ruthenium 106 and Iodine 125 plaque brachytherapy, and in addition several external sources of radiotherapy to treat intraocular malignancies. These applications, which are tailored per patient, allow a tumor control success rate of over 90%.
Treatments at Sheba
We treat patients of all ages with a wide range of treatment methods, custom-tailored for each individual’s condition. Therapies include:
- Brachytherapy – Radiation therapy
- TIL immunotherapy
- Surgery
- Laser treatment
Special Technologies Offered at Sheba
Brachytherapy
Ocular tumor cells respond well to radiation, but conventional radiotherapy can damage many healthy cells in the eye, leading to vision loss. Brachytherapy (also known as plaque therapy) is a unique, revolutionary treatment method, and Sheba is one of only a few clinics worldwide to administer it.
This therapy uses radioactive iodine 125 plaques that are placed directly on the eye surface, right above the base of the tumor. Using advanced computer software, the size of the plaque is adjusted precisely and customized to be as effective as possible for irradiating the individual’s eye tumor (with consideration for the size and shape of the tumor). This method allows controlled and direct irradiation, without exposing healthy retinal areas to excess radiation. As a result, damage to eyesight is prevented.
TIL Immunotherapy
TIL (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) immunotherapy is used as a treatment for metastatic melanoma. This cutting-edge treatment involves drastically increasing the number of elite cancer-killing lymphocytes in your body that target and attack malignant cells. Patients with uveal melanoma may develop secondary tumors in the future, and if the melanoma metastasizes, TIL immunotherapy can be an effective treatment option.
Meet the Director
Vicktoria Vishnevskia-Dai, MD
Senior Ophthalmologist, Director of the Ocular Oncology and Inflammatory Eye Diseases Service Consultant for the Pediatric Oncology Department, Oncology Institute and Immunology Institute
Dr. Vishnevskia-Dai received her medical degree from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, and she completed a Clinical and Surgical Fellowship in Ocular Oncology at the Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. From 1999-2003, Dr. Vishnevskia-Dai was an instructor in the course of Ocular Diseases Among the Aging Population, at the nursing school of Assaf Harofeh Medical Center.
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Ido Didi Fabian, MD
Consultant Ocular Oncologist, Goldschleger Eye Research Institute
Dr. Fabian runs the ocular oncology laboratory at the Goldschleger Eye Institute at Sheba, where he is actively involved in researching innovative treatments for ocular tumors. He has a particular interest and expertise in treating retinoblastoma, ocular lymphoma, and conjunctival melanoma. Dr. Fabian is the initiator and principal investigator of the Global Retinoblastoma 2017 study, and he is a member of Sight for All, an Australian nonprofit that focuses on ocular oncology training in South East Asia. He is also a member of the Retinoblastoma-Network; in this role, he trains local doctors from Sub-Saharan East Africa. Dr. Fabian has published dozens of scientific articles in international journals.
Read MoreWhy Choose Sheba for Ocular Melanoma Treatment?
World-class Team
the staff of the Goldschleger Eye Institute includes more than 50 eye specialists and residents, 30 highly qualified nurses, and experienced medical technicians
Extensive Experience
Sheba’s Eye Institute, the largest Ophthalmology Department in Israel, performs approximately 3,800 procedures yearly
Frontline Treatments
we are one of only a few hospitals in the world to offer cutting-edge brachytherapy for ocular melanoma
Internationally Renowned
we were listed in the Top 10 Hospitals in the World by Newsweek, and we are fully accredited by the Joint Commission International (JC), the gold standard for quality and safety in healthcare
Comprehensive Care
all diagnoses and treatments are provided conveniently under one roof on our all-inclusive campus
Supportive Care
a personal medical coordinator from Global patient services will help with all arrangements, including travel, accommodations, and communication in your language
Sheba Medical Center A Recognized Leader in Global Healthcare
Holistic Healthcare for Cancer
When we treat patients with ocular melanoma, we focus on more than the eye disease. Sheba specialists practice medicine with a holistic, individualized approach – using professional expertise to custom-design the most suitable treatment program for each patient. Therapies include a range of support services, such as social services, rehabilitation therapy, and psychologists. We believe that the success of treating a patient with oncological eye disease is based on the collaboration of a compassionate, multidisciplinary team.
Request a consultation
Sheba Medical Center provides innovative, personalized medical care to patients from around the world. We are the largest, most comprehensive hospital in the Middle East and dedicated to providing advanced and compassionate medicine for everyone.
We welcome all cases, including the rarest and the most challenging. Our medical teams collaborate to provide the best possible health outcomes. From your initial inquiry through the long-term follow-up care, we are here for you.
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