Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem | Cancer Care

Hadassah Medical Center has roots in Hadassah's early twentieth-century medical services in Jerusalem. It is an academic hospital organisation associated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, combining clinical care, medical education and research. Cancer treatment takes place within this wider hospital setting rather than at a stand-alone oncology facility.

The organisation operates across the Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus campuses. Major specialist cancer services are associated with Ein Kerem, although patients should confirm the location of each appointment. Its scale is best understood as a large, multi-specialty university medical centre; a hospital-wide bed count would not describe the capacity available specifically for oncology.

The Sharett Institute of Oncology is a key component of its cancer services. Related programmes include haematology, bone marrow transplantation, cell therapy and genetic assessment. These services support care that may require several disciplines, particularly when diagnosis is complex or treatment involves significant monitoring and supportive care.

Blood cancers are an important area of activity, including leukaemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma. Haematology assessment may cover drug treatment, transplantation or cellular therapy, depending on the precise disease subtype, previous response and overall fitness. A blood cancer diagnosis alone does not establish eligibility for CAR-T or transplantation.

Breast cancer care can involve coordinated assessment by oncology, surgery, imaging, pathology and radiotherapy teams. Treatment planning depends on stage, hormone receptor status, HER2 status and other relevant findings. Genetic counselling may be appropriate when personal or family history suggests inherited susceptibility.

Rare cancer and genetic expertise may be relevant when pathology is unusual, the primary site is uncertain or standard treatment options are limited. Expert pathology review and selected molecular tests can help clarify the diagnosis. Patients should ask whether there is a team experienced in their specific rare tumour rather than relying on a general rare cancer designation.

Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy and systemic medicines, used alone or in combination. The recommended sequence depends on whether the aim is cure, disease control or symptom relief. Supportive care needs, including pain management, nutrition and infection prevention, should form part of the treatment plan.

Immunotherapy is available for selected indications. Its suitability depends on the cancer type, treatment setting, relevant biomarkers and medical history. It is not interchangeable with CAR-T, and it can cause immune-related side effects requiring prompt assessment, sometimes after treatment has finished.

Hadassah's academic CAR-T and cell therapy activity is particularly relevant to selected blood cancers. Patients should establish which product or protocol is proposed, its regulatory or research status, and whether manufacturing and treatment places are available. Bone marrow or stem cell transplantation is a separate option requiring assessment of fitness, disease status and, where applicable, donor availability.

Precision oncology may use molecular profiling to identify treatment-relevant changes. A finding does not guarantee access to a matched medicine or benefit from it. Ask whether testing is necessary, whether existing results can be used, and whether the resulting recommendation involves standard treatment, off-label prescribing or a clinical trial.

An indicative figure of around 200 active oncology clinical trials is associated with Hadassah. Trial portfolios change, and 'active' can include studies that are following existing participants rather than recruiting new ones. The current number, disease coverage and availability to international patients need direct confirmation.

Research opportunities may involve medicines, treatment combinations, cellular therapies or other aspects of cancer care. Each protocol defines eligibility through factors such as diagnosis, biomarkers, previous treatment, organ function and performance status. Being suitable for a treatment in principle does not necessarily mean meeting a trial's criteria.

International patients should request a protocol-specific review before travelling and ask for the study identifier and recruitment status. Screening may require repeat tests or an in-person visit, with no guarantee of enrolment. Clarify which research costs are covered and which screening, routine care, travel or complication-related costs remain payable.

Begin with a structured records review rather than booking treatment directly. Provide the diagnosis, disease stage, previous treatments and current clinical condition, and state whether you are seeking a second opinion, standard treatment or trial assessment. Request a written explanation of the proposed next step, including whether further pathology review or testing is needed before acceptance.

Travel planning should account for treatment intensity and the possibility of complications. Transplantation and CAR-T may require a caregiver, accommodation near the hospital and extended local monitoring. Confirm entry requirements, current travel advice, insurance limitations and arrangements for unexpected admission. Agree who will manage follow-up after returning home and how the Jerusalem team will communicate with your local clinicians.

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

Location: Jerusalem, Israel

Email: international@hadassah.org.il

Phone: +972 2 677 7111

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

Languages supported: Hebrew, English, Russian, Arabic

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.