Rambam Health Care Campus: Cancer Care in Haifa

Established in 1938, Rambam has developed into a public tertiary-care and academic hospital serving Haifa and northern Israel. It is affiliated with the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology. Its referral role includes complex illnesses requiring specialist assessment and access to multiple hospital disciplines, including cancer care.

Rambam is a large, multispecialty hospital campus rather than a stand-alone cancer clinic. Cancer care sits alongside services such as diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery, intensive care and rehabilitation. This structure can be relevant when a patient has other medical conditions, needs a complex operation or develops complications, although access to any particular service depends on clinical need and arrangements.

The Joseph Fishman Oncology Center is a dedicated component of the campus’s oncology services. Blood cancer care, bone marrow transplantation and paediatric haemato-oncology are also notable parts of Rambam’s cancer provision. Adult solid-tumour oncology, haematology and children’s cancer care involve different pathways; patients should confirm which department will review their records and take responsibility for coordinating their care.

Rambam’s listed cancer specialities include breast, lung and colon cancers. Assessment for these diseases generally depends on pathology, stage, previous treatment and, where relevant, molecular or biomarker results. Patients should ask whether their particular subtype will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team and whether any additional testing could change the proposed approach. The presence of a general cancer programme does not establish suitability for every rare subtype or complex recurrence.

Blood cancer services cover conditions for which specialist haematology assessment, transplantation or cellular therapy may be relevant. Paediatric haemato-oncology provides a separate pathway for children with blood cancers and other childhood malignancies. For both adults and children, eligibility for intensive treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease status, previous therapies and overall health. Families should also clarify age limits, supportive care and how the treating team would work with clinicians in their home country.

Surgery may form part of treatment for suitable solid tumours, either alone or alongside medicines and radiation therapy. The relevant surgical team depends on the organ involved and the complexity of the operation. Patients should ask about the operation’s purpose, alternatives, recovery requirements and whether rehabilitation or additional treatment is expected afterwards.

Systemic options include immunotherapy and targeted therapy. These treatments are not interchangeable and are not appropriate for every cancer. Selection may depend on biomarkers, prior treatment, organ function and the applicable approval or trial pathway. Conventional chemotherapy and supportive medicines may also remain important parts of a recommended plan.

Radiation therapy is another available modality. Its role may be to support curative treatment, control a local tumour or relieve symptoms. The technique, treatment schedule and need for repeat planning scans should be confirmed after specialist review; a directory listing cannot establish which approach a patient needs.

CAR-T therapy and bone marrow or stem cell transplantation are specialist options for selected blood cancers. They require detailed assessment and may involve preparation, admission, close monitoring and prolonged proximity to the treating centre. Ask specifically about the applicable disease indications, caregiver requirements and management of serious complications.

The available profile indicates around 150 active oncology clinical trials at Rambam. This is an indicative figure, not a verified current recruitment count. Studies may be open, temporarily paused, in follow-up or closed to new participants, and not every study involves an experimental medicine. The relevant question is whether a currently recruiting study matches the patient’s cancer, molecular findings and treatment history.

International patients should request review by the relevant clinical team and, where appropriate, its research staff. Screening can require pathology review, recent imaging, laboratory tests and evidence of previous treatments. Eligibility may also depend on performance status, organ function, time since previous therapy and the ability to attend repeated visits. International participation, language requirements and financial responsibilities need separate confirmation. Trial participation does not guarantee benefit, and routine care, travel or accommodation may not be covered even when a study supplies its investigational treatment.

Begin by submitting a concise medical summary and asking whether Rambam can assess the specific diagnosis and proposed treatment need. Clarify whether the first response is an administrative review, a specialist opinion or a provisional plan requiring examination in Haifa. Ask which tests might need repeating and whether pathology material must arrive before an appointment can be offered.

Before travelling, agree on the likely sequence of assessment and treatment, a written estimate and a plan for unexpected admission or complications. Confirm entry requirements, current travel advice, insurance exclusions and whether a caregiver is necessary. Request a discharge and follow-up plan that your home oncology team can use, including responsibility for prescriptions, monitoring and urgent problems after you return.

Contact details below come from the hospital's own published international patient information.

Location: Haifa, Israel

Email: international@rambam.health.gov.il

Phone: +972 4 777 2000

Website: https://www.rambam.org.il

Languages supported: Hebrew, English, Arabic, Russian, French

Remote second opinion: Available

Always confirm current contact details on the hospital's own website before sending medical records, and never send documents to an address you have not verified.