Kidney-Sparing Laser Treatment

While tumors of the ureters and kidneys may strike anyone, certain groups are more likely to suffer from these types of tumors. These include:

• People age 60 and over
• Smokers
• Those who have worked in textile mills
• People with a history of exposure to certain chemicals, like those found in paint

If you or a loved one is suffering from urological or kidney tumors, don’t hesitate to contact Sheba Medical Center. You’ll receive a free consultation and be put in touch with expert, experienced physicians.

As part of providing patients with world-class medicine with a personal touch, Sheba Medical Center is proud to be one of the few institutions in the world using cutting edge dual laser technology to more effectively treat urological tumors, while sparing kidney tissue. This can lead to longer life expectancies and avoidance of dialysis. Furthermore, this laser approach requires no incisions and is much less invasive than traditional surgery.

Dr. Nir Kleinmann, an endourology specialist in the Department of Urology at Sheba Medical Center, explains further, “Urinary collecting system tumors are traditionally treated via radical nephroureterectomy – removal of the entire kidney with the ureter. Today, we know that’s not the best solution. Patients that undergo kidney removal often develop renal insufficiency, sometimes to the point of necessitating dialysis; they also develop morbidities such as heart issues. Another side effect is a propensity to develop tumors on the remaining kidney, which can make a patient anephric, or

“Urinary collecting system tumors are traditionally treated via radical nephroureterectomy – removal of the entire kidney with the ureter. Today, we know that’s not the best solution. Patients that undergo kidney removal often develop renal insufficiency, sometimes to the point of necessitating dialysis; they also develop morbidities such as heart issues. Another side effect is a propensity to develop tumors on the remaining kidney, which can make a patient anephric, or lacking any functional kidney. This then leads to dialysis. Therefore, the goal now is to preserve the kidney rather than remove it. The new treatment is called nephron-sparing surgery.“

Unlike some other medical centers, Sheba uses a two laser system for urological tumor treatment. The two lasers operate at different wavelengths and complement each other. Dr. Kleinmann elaborates,

“Sheba has acquired a specialized laser generator which produces two different laser types: The first is neodymium, which is used to kill tumor cells and stop bleeding. We then use the second type of laser, holmium, to resect the dead tissue. This combination enables us to treat a very large tumor burden. There are medical centers that only use holmium, but when resecting tissue with that method, malignant cells are spread into various areas of the urinary system and the tumor may grow back. This combination of two lasers enables us to make a clear cut, since the tissue is dead and the tumor won’t seed itself again.”

This groundbreaking therapy is difficult to find. Only a few healthcare institutions in the US have it. However, Sheba physicians are trained and experienced with this dual laser technology and have used it successfully.

In general, healthcare costs in Israel are more affordable than in the US, particularly without health insurance. However, the level of care and quality of medicine is second to none. All Sheba physicians and surgeons have spent years in rigorous education and training. In fact, many have completed fellowships in the United States.

At Sheba, we put our patients first and are pleased to provide this beneficial therapy option. Don’t delay contacting Sheba through this official website. We’ll be happy to help you every step of the way, from your initial consultation to visa and travel arrangements and translation services.

Contact Sheba Medical Center for a consultation about possible Kidney-Sparing Laser Treatment today.