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Other Specialists In Our Network
Urology
Although urology encompasses a wide array of specialties, most of its procedures are related to the treatment of either enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostate cancer, or kidney stones.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
An enlarged prostate is usually treated with medication, minimally-invasive therapies, and if all else fails, a surgery called Transurethral Resection Of The Prostate (TURP). It is done by inserting a cystoscope up the urethra to the prostate, where the surrounding prostate tissue is excised. This is a common operation with excellent outcomes for a high percentage of patients (80-90%). A variant uses a laser to achieve less relative bloodloss in patients who are actively being treated with anti-coagulation therapy for unrelated diagnoses.
Prostatectomy - Robotic or Laparoscopic
Prostate cancer surgeries (Prostatectomies) aim to carefully remove the affected part of the prostate without causing urinary problems or erectile dysfunction. TURP is one of the procedures used, but most cases require better access to the prostate, in which an Open Prostatectomy might be the right choice to remove specific parts of the prostate or even the whole prostate (Radical Prostatectomy). A Laparoscopic Prostatectomy is a much less invasive procedure with the same objective and effect, however the very latest technology is the Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon controls a Da Vinci robot, having much more dexterity than in conventional laparoscopy while offering the same advantages over open prostatectomy: much smaller incisions, less pain, less bleeding, less risk of infection, faster healing time, and shorter hospital stay.
Our Robotic Urology specialists at Hospital San Jose TEC perform the da Vinci Robitic Prostatectomy for an approximate price of $24,700. Register with us to Get an Affordable Customized Quote Now.
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Kidney stone cases requiring more than just drugs, painkillers, and patience involve any of three common procedures. The least invasive is Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. This is a technique for shattering stones such as kidney stones or gallstones with an acoustic shock wave produced outside the body. The stones fragment after 800 to 2,000 shocks resulting in kidney stones that are less than 1.5 cm (5/8th of an inch) in diameter. The machine used by the urologist is called a lithotriptor and anesthesia may be necessary to control the pain. A catheter (stent) may be placed in the ureter (the tube running from the bladder to the outside) to facilitate passage of shattered fragments.
In the case of much larger stones, an Uretheroscopy might be in order. The surgeon passes a very thin telescope tube (ureteroscope) up the urinary tract to the stone's location, and then uses instruments to remove the stone or break it up for easier removal. In some cases the patient needs an ureteral stent placed in the ureter to keep it open for a short time to drain urine and any stone pieces. This procedure is often used for stones that have moved from the kidney to the ureter.
Another surgery that may be used to remove very large stones is the Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. The surgeon inserts a narrow telescope into the affected kidney through small cuts in the back though which the stone is then removed entirely or in fragments.
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)
This high-intensity ultrasound is used to treat both prostate cancer as well as benign prostate hyperplasia, or enlargement of the prostate. HIFU is a non-invasive procedure in which a focused beam heats and destroys cancerous tissue rapidly. This new treatment has been proven safe and efficient and has very low side effects as compared to radiation therapy or surgery.
Cancer
Depending on its type, stage, and evolution, Cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, monoclonal antibody therapy and many other methods. Given the importance of this illness, a great number of experimental treatments are also under development. The main goal in any therapy is the complete removal of the cancer without damaging other healthy tissue. Surgical treatment is usually very effective in removing most cancerous tissue, but given possible metastasis to other areas, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are useful in diminishing or controlling the illness. However, their secondary effects on healthy tissue limit their use.
Non-hemathological cancers can be removed from the body using Surgery, but given its ability to metastasize, complete surgical excision can be difficult. The most common examples of surgical procedures for cancer include mastectomy for breast cancer and prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The goal of this surgery can be either the removal of only the tumor, or the entire organ, after which the removed tissue will be examined to determine if a margin of healthy tissue is present, thus decreasing the chance that microscopic cancer cells are left in the patient.
In addition to the removal of the primary tumor, surgery is often necessary for staging, or determining the extent of the disease and whether it has metastasized to regional lymph nodes. Occasionally, surgery is also necessary to control symptoms in a paliative treatment, such as spinal cord compression or bowel obstruction.
Chemotherapy
This is the treatment of cancer with drugs that can destroy cancer cells. Chemotherapy drugs interfere with cell division in various possible ways and unfortunately, may also affect healthy tissue, especially that with a high replacement rate (e.g. intestinal lining). Depending on the type of cancer and the stage of treatment, dosages may vary, and two or more drugs may be given to the patient at the same time. The process of chemotherapy is usually done in a number of sessions, several weeks apart. Although this repetitive travel schedule might take away the savings that a medical traveler gets from receiving chemotherapy abroad, at Travel For Care we believe that Texan patients at a driving distance from Monterrey, should consider this great option. Our network includes the best clinical oncologists and chemotherapy facilities in Monterrey, always available to answer any questions and to tailor a holistic cancer care solution to anyone in need.
Radiation Therapy
This is the use of ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. It can be administered externally by a linear accelerator or internally by targeted brachytherapy. Radiation therapy works by destroying cells’ genetic material, therefore making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow and divide. Its effects are localized and confined to the region being treated but normal cells inevitably get damaged in the process. To limit harm to healthy tissue, it is given in many sessions, allowing healthy tissue to recover between them. Radiation therapy may be used to treat almost every type of solid tumor, including cancers of the brain, breast, cervix, larynx, lung, pancreas, prostate, skin, stomach, uterus, or soft tissue sarcomas. Although less common, radiation is also used to treat leukemia and lymphoma. The administered dose depends on a number of factors, including the radiosensitivity of each cancer type and whether there are tissues and organs nearby that may be damaged by radiation. The most common cancers requiring radiation therapy are treated in around thirty daily sessions of about ten minutes each, with some days of rest within the process, therefore lasting around fourty five days in total. At Travel For Care we know that such a long process away from home might be challenging for a Medical Traveler, however, we urge potential patients to consider the huge amount that can be saved. During your time here, you will stay in great hotel facilities, and being that you are so close to home, going back for a few days or having relatives come visit is quick and inexpensive. Our partner, Hospital San Jose TEC, operates the latest generation, high power SIEMENS linear accelerator with the latest IMRT and IGRT capabilities.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy, or Radiosurgery
This is a type of external beam radiotherapy that accurately focuses high doses of radiation to specific spots inside the body. It is used in cancers as well as in some non-cancerous conditions, including functional disorders such as arteriovenous malformations and trigeminal neuralgia. In the case of cancers, it is a preferred way of ablating intracranial and extracranial tumors that could be otherwise inaccessible or inadequate for open surgery. It usually requires between only one and five sessions performed outpatient and recovery is almost immediate, allowing the patient to go back to daily activities the next day.
Our partners, Hospital San Jose TEC, and a team of the best radiation oncologists and neurosurgeons are available to answer any patient’s questions and to plan an effective and affordable radiosurgery treatment in short notice. Travel For Care encourages patients to consider high quality and great value radiosurgery in Monterrey. Get an Affordable Customized Quote Now.
Hematology – Blood and Bone Marrow Stem Cells Transplants
Many recipients of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation are multiple myeloma or leukemia patients who would not benefit from prolonged treatment with, or are already resistant to, chemotherapy. Additionally, children with a congenital defect such as immunodeficiency or neutropenia with defective stem cells, or patients with aplastic anemia who have lost their stem cells after birth are also candidates for such transplants. Other conditions treated with stem cell transplants include sickle cell disease, myelodysplastic syndrome, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, Ewing’s Sarcoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, and Hodgkin’s disease. More recently non-myeloablative, or so-called "mini transplant," procedures that require smaller doses of preparative chemo and radiation have been developed, thus allowing these transplants to be conducted in the elderly and other patients who would otherwise be considered too weak to withstand a conventional treatment regimen. Hematopoietic stem cells can be taken from a patient’s or a compatible donor’s bone marrow, blood, or umbilical cord blood.
Bone Marrow Transplant
In this procedure the stem cells are removed from a large bone of the donor, typically the pelvis, through a large needle that reaches the center of the bone. The technique is referred to as a bone marrow harvest and is performed under general anesthesia.
Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant
In this procedure the cells are collected from the blood through a process known as apheresis. The donor's blood is withdrawn through a sterile needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates white from red blood cells. The red blood cells are returned to the donor, while the white blood cells are inserted into the patient with daily subcutaneous injections. This helps the bone marrow recover and continue producing healthy blood cells, helping the immune system recover.
Through Travel For Care, you now count with a leading hematology institute that has a proven track record in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants. Do not hesitate to contact us, as we can help you address any questions regarding your affordable bone marrow transplant treatment and show you the benefits of undergoing a successful transplant at the hands of internationally recognized specialists, while facing a fraction of the US cost. Get a Customized Quote Now.
Diagnostics
Our Network includes facilities with state-of-the-art diagnostic capabilities. Any Medical Traveler will find value in coming for a PET/CT Scan or an Angiography, while patients driving from Texas will also find the High Power MRI, CT Scan, Executive Check-ups and Lab Tests very attractive. With prices starting at $1100 for a CT Angiogram and $2030 for a PET/CT Scan, Join the medical travel trend and Get a Customized Quote for your Diagnostic Test.
PET/CT
In one continuous full-body scan, lasting usually about 30 minutes, PET captures images of miniscule changes in the body's metabolism caused by the growth of abnormal cells, while CT images simultaneously allow physicians to pinpoint the exact location, size and shape of the diseased tissue or tumor. These two standard imaging tools allow physicians to pinpoint the location of cancer within the body before making treatment recommendations or to assess treatment effectiveness. These diagnostics usually cost between $3,000 and $6,000 in the United States.
Angiography
The application of a Coronary Catheterization for diagnostic purposes encompasses a minimally invasive procedure to access the coronary circulation and chambers of the heart using a catheter. With visual interpretation, the test will recognize occlusion, stenosis, restenosis, thrombosis, aneurysmal enlargement of the coronary artery lumens, heart chamber size, heart muscle performance, and heart valve function. Heart and lung blood pressures can also be measured during the test.
CT Angiogram
Similar to an Angiography, a CT Angiogram uses imaging techniques and a contrast injection to visualize the circulatory system. However, a CT Scanner is used in order to get a 3D view of the studied area and the contrast liquid being injected is not done through a catheter, but through a small needle into a peripherical artery.
CT Scan
Computed Tomography is an imaging method in which digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image from a series of two dimentional X-Ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. It is very common in preventive medicine, detecting diseases, and planning surgeries and treatments.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a technique commonly used in radiology to visualize the internal structure and function of the body. MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than computed tomography (CT) does, making it especially useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological (cancer) imaging. Unlike CT, it uses no ionizing radiation, but a powerful magnetic field to align the magnetization of hydrogen atoms in the body and build an image by detecting their magnetic field.
Endoscopy
A minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to assess the inner surfaces of an organ by inserting a tube into the body. This instrument may have a rigid or flexible tube and not only serves as visual inspection and photography, but also enables taking biopsies and retrieval of foreign objects. Diagnostic endoscopies are performed under local anesthesia to relieve discomfort and can be used to check the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestines), respiratory tract, ear, urinary tract, and female reproductive system.
Executive Check-Ups
Holistic medical diagnostic session individually tailored for you. Depending on your needs, your full day visit may include:
Head-to-toe assessment of your overall physical health
Screening and risk assessment for heart and cardiovascular disease
Vascular imaging to evaluate your risk of stroke or aneurysm
Vision screening, audiometry testing and lung function tests
Fundus photography- used to obtain a color image of the interior of the eye to reveal abnormalities related to diabetes, high blood pressure or other problems that threaten vision
Screening and risk assessment for common cancers, including colorectal, lung, prostate (for men) and breast (for women)
Osteoporosis screening
Full laboratory studies necessary to obtain a complete profile of major organ systems
Exercise and fitness assessment
Dietary assessment with a nutritionist who will provide nutrition recommendations and help you establish healthy eating habits
Advice to help you manage your response to stress, and personal coaching focused on achieving life balance
Optional Services Include:
Full body scan
Carotid artery ultrasound
Lab Tests
Any individual test mentioned in the Executive Check-ups section.
In-Vitro Fertilization and Other Assisted Reproduction Techniques
Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) includes several methods to achieve pregnancy by artificial and partly artificial means. It is primarily done as an infertility treatment and it might include not only medication treatments, but also inside or outside-the-body treatments. The use of medication and hormones to stimulate follicle development is one of the simplest and most common methods, while others involve the manipulation of sperm and eggs in a variety of ways as to aid or force fertility. Artificial insemination is the method by which sperm is placed in contact with the female’s uterus by artificial means. In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the technique used to fertilize eggs with sperm in a controlled environment outside the human body and involves the placement of successful embryos back into the uterus. Other treatments useful in specific cases might include: frozen embryo implantation, donated eggs and sperm, embryo growth, sex selection, reversal of sterility surgeries, and surgical sperm retrieval. There are more than 140 thousand ART treatments in the US each year and their success rate varies a lot depending on the treatment and patient’s age. IVF statistics place the treatment’s success at around 40%.
Travel For Care has partnered with IECH (Institute for the Study of Human Fertility), who boasts more than twenty years of experience and 1,700 births. Please allow us to give you an affordable Customized Quote and show you the benefits of coming to Monterrey for your assisted reproduction procedure.
Stem Cell Therapies
The Stem Cell Therapies field encompasses a wide array of treatments which are still at an experimental stage, but which might offer an option to patients on the look for alternative methods to treat an illness or condition. Given its experimental qualities and varied levels of success from one condition to the next, and from one doctor to another, it is still a controversial topic and should be researched thoroughly by any patient considering it. Travel For Care counts with Dr. Luis Marfil, MD, a renown hematologist that has specialized on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (the patient's own bone marrow or blood stem cells), and who has achieved successful results in patients with Diabetic Foot, Heart Stroke, Malfunctioning Kidneys, Aching Joints, and Duchene Muscular Dysthrophia. All procedures are performed under the highest quality conditions at Hospital San José, they require the patient to be in Monterrey for around 4 to 6 days, and cost approximately $6,000. Click here to read more about Dr. Luis Marfil and Contact Us to Get a Customized Quote .
All Other
The Travel For Care network includes specialists and facilities able to perform a very wide array of treatments including surgeries not mentioned in this section like Hysterectomies, Lipoma Removals, Hernia Repairs, Gallbladder Removals, Organ Transplants, Burn Recovery Treatments, Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomies, and others.
We have made our best effort to mention and specifically include those which are typically inquired by potential Medical Travelers, but by all means, if we have omitted anything you might be interested in, please contact us to Get a Customized Quote and we promise to get back to you with an answer that will exceed your expectations.
