Category Archives: Services

19
Mar

Ophthalmology

Estonian eye doctors and eye surgeons have gained particular recognition from international experts and provide top-class treatment for adults, children and infants. Regional centre for treatment of eye disease and eye surgery Treatments for all eye conditions are available in Estonia. Top-class diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation options and all modern surgical techniques are used in treatment, allowing eye diseases to be treated with the best possible results and the lowest possible cost. Most cases of oncological diseases from across the region are also treated in Estonia. Internationally recognised doctors Patients can be treated in Estonia in a large hospital or a small private clinic, as they prefer. The eye clinic of East-Tallinn Central Hospital does an average of 40 operations a day and is accredited by the International Council of Ophthalmology for treating eye tumours, and it is one of the ten clinics in Europe with the right to train eye specialists. The small Kreutzwald Eye Center offers personal care and has top of the range diagnostic equipment, and three of the doctors who work there are licensed to practice in Finland and one in Sweden. No long waits for appointments Appointments can be made quickly with members of the Medicine Estonia cluster. Patients can generally be offered an appointment for the next day, depending on the clinic and the reason for the visit, or for the next week for larger operations. Many treatments and operations for eye diseases can be done for outpatients, making it even easier for patients coming from another country to visit a doctor.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES: • Diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, including tumours, and eye traumas • Cataract treatment, including microincision cata- ract surgery with coaxial phacoemulsification • Corneal transplants • Treatment and surgery for glaucoma • Eyelid surgery • Laser and radiation therapy • Retinal tests, treatment and surgery for children and premature babies • Optometry

Sample prices*: Initial visit to the consulting doctor: € 35 Glaucoma operation: € 550 *Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

19
Mar

Nuclear Medicine

Estonia has more than ten years of experience and great expertise in nuclear medicine. There is an internationally accredited PET/CT centre here (EARL Accredited PET/CT Cen- tre of Excellence) and SPECT/CT and PET/CT hybrid equipment is used, which contains the very latest in cutting-edge modern technology. Precise diagnoses Nuclear medicine tests are able to identify medical conditions earlier than is possible with other radiology tests. This means that treatment for illnesses can start in their early stages and lets doctors assess and affect better the progress of the disease by identifying the exact type of tumour or inflammation, determining the stage of the disease and assessing the effect of treatment. The main tests done are oncological tests, but a large proportion of the tests are also done on the heart, brain, thyroid, lungs, kidneys and other organs. Effective treatment options Radioisotope therapy is used for oncological diseases like thyroid cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, metastases, some types of lymphomas or bone metastases, and for benign thyroid diseases and joint diseases. Radioisotope therapy puts little strain on the patient and has very good treatment results. A comfortable environment for treatment The treatment is carried out in wards that meet all the radiation safety requirements and resemble comfy hotel rooms with a functional bed, a television, an internet connection, telephone and shower. Patients are aware of the important point that although they can’t leave during the treatment, the ward is not locked and a telephone and screen let them keep in constant touch with staff. Nuclear medicine is one of the most popular medical services used in Estonia by foreign patients.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES: • SPECT/CT and PET/CT studies • Radionuclide tests • Radioiodine therapy

Sample prices*: Radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer using endogenous TSH stimulation: € 1900 Radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer using Thyrogen: € 3100 Diagnostic scintigraphy using I-131 and Thyrogen: € 1700 (to be done 6 months after radioiodine therapy) Diagnostic scintigraphy using I-131: € 400 *Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

19
Mar

Neurology

Tallinn has world-class centres offering diagnosis of chronic neurological diseases and flexible and comprehensive treatment. Treatment capacity for severe strokes and neurodegenerative diseases The neurology centre at the East Tallinn Central Hospital focuses particularly on stroke treatment and neurodegenerative illnesses that are caused by the ageing of the nervous system. The main focus of the centre is the early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Estonian neurologists are consulted internationally Neurologists working in Estonia are highly qualified and are regularly invited to speak at international conferences and have had articles published in key peer-reviewed scientific journals. They have earned the exceptional trust they are given through the comfortable and friendly atmosphere they create and their dedicated care for their patients and their families. Close interdisciplinary teamwork Neurological treatment in Estonia is carried out by teams of specialists, with neurologists, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and rehabilitation doctors. Each one is a highly qualified specialist, and together they can ensure the highest quality. They work together to treat the patient and support and train the patient’s family.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES: • Headache treatment • Migraine treatment • Epilepsy treatment • Treatment of multiple sclerosis • Treatment of autoimmune neurological diseases • Treatment for Parkinson’s disease • Dementia care • Post-stroke rehabilitation • Treatments for rare diseases • Tests • Electroencephalography • Computer tomography • Magnetic tomography

Sample prices: Consultation with a neurologist: € 150 Multiple sclerosis care packages: 1-week package: € 4000 2-week package: € 5500 Multiple sclerosis care packages include: diagnosis, inpatient stay, meals, treatment plan preparation, physiotherapy, and sessions with a speech therapist, psychologist and social worker. The packages do not include the cost of medicines. Psychological consultation and analysis: € 100 5-day physiotherapy treatment package: € 175 *Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

18
Mar

Cardiology

Cardiologists in Estonia have long experience and have access to all of the most modern and highest quality research and treatment methods and top-level outpatient conditions in new wards. A team with thorough experience Cardiology teams in Estonia contain a cardiologist, a cardiology nurse, and if necessary a cardiology surgeon, rehabilitation doctor, a physiotherapist and many others. Estonian cardiology centres treat around 10,000 patients every year, giving a broad base of experience for handling even the most complicated cases. A large number of Estonian cardiologists also work part time in Finland. World leaders Estonian doctors have many years of experience of invasive cardiology and were among the first in the world to use coronary angioplasty (percutaneous coronary intervention) in the treatment of ischemic coronary artery disease as early as 1982. Complex solutions All the options for thorough cardiological tests are available in Estonia both for preventative care and after a health issue has become known. If needed a heart surgeon can be called on immediately on the spot for invasive intervention.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES: • Treatment for heart rhythm disorders (pacemak- ers, defibrillators, cardiac resynchronisation implants, catheter ablation with magnet navigation system) • Widening of the coronary arteries and stenting for chronic and acute ischemia. • Non-invasive diagnostic techniques

Sample prices: Initial visit to the cardiologist: € 25 Outpatient visit, planning of tests and treatment: € 500 – € 700 Installation of a pacemaker (price depends on the method used): € 4100 – €26 500 *Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

18
Mar

Cardiac Surgery

Heart surgeons in Estonia have access to one of the most modern operating centres in the Baltic region where all the latest operating facilities and surgical methods are used.

Top-ranked heart surgeons
Surgery is carried out by heart surgeons who have undergone the highest category of specialised training. Operating teams in Estonia contain cardiovascular surgeons, an anaesthesiologist, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists. A large proportion of operations are arterial bypass and beating-heart operations and the results of heart operations for adults in Estonia are mostly very good.

The most modern operating facilities in the region
Operating theatres are fully equipped with modern specialised equipment and have laminar ventilation systems, which create a curtain of clean air around the operating area that is used to filter the air in the operating theatre. They all have new LED operating lights and the choice of floor and wall coverings in the operating theatres is based on the strictest hospital hygiene standards.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES:
• Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Aorto-coronary bypass surgery
• Traditional valve surgery (ablation therapy, plastic repair of mitral valves)
• Cardiac tumour surgery
• Operative treatment of congenital cardiac pathologies
• Treatment of cardiomyopathies

18
Mar

Aesthetic treatment

Highly trained doctors and nurses carry out the aesthetic treat- ments for skin and body in clinics in the Medicine Estonia cluster, and they regularly attend internationally renowned clinics and conferences for aesthetic treatments for further training.

Effective and immediate results
Modern minimally invasive beauty treatment technology is used, which generally allows immediate results for anti-ageing treatments for the face and body, treatments for acne and stretch marks, cellulite and fat removal and other beauty treatments. Treatment can also be fitted in during a short visit to Estonia. Treatments and care are safe and tested and together with the equipment used, they have been passed by the American FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the European Medicines Agency.

Top-quality equipment used for beauty treatments
Top-quality modern technology is used for beauty treatments, including the UltraPulse CO2-laser, which can help remove acne scarring or tighten and rejuvenate skin with similar results to plastic surgery and fat transfer (Fat Graft) for breast and buttock augmentation, the method can also be used to correct tissue defects on any part of the body. Estonia is the first Baltic state to use the popular SmartlipoMPXTM laserlipo, that can access fat deposits and achieve skin tightening even on delicate areas like neck, forearms and knees.

Cosmopolitan training of doctors
The highly qualified medical specialists who carry out the treatments attend courses and conferences in places like New York, Miami, Paris, Monaco and Switzerland to keep abreast of the latest developments in their field.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES:
• UltraPulse and Fractional CO2-laser treatment
• Botox, Restylane, Juvederm and Radiesse injections
• SmartLipoMPX laser lipolysis
• PAL body sculpting
• Aesthetic lipotransfer on face and body
• Nd Yag and Diode laser treatment and cavitation
• Treatment of varicose veins (EVLT, sclerotherapy and micro-surgery)
• Facial aesthetic surgery
• Treatment for excessive sweating

Prices:
Juvederm Hydrate one ampoule: € 99
Juvederm Voluma 1ml injection: € 429
Radiesse 1.5ml injection: € 550
Lumenis Laser CO2 laser resurfacing: from € 400
SmartLipoMPX lipolysis body sculpture, one zone: € 660
*Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

18
Mar

Diagnostics and Laboratory Analyses

Estonia’s use of the new generation of technology, our openness to innovation, and our highly skilled medical staff mean that we can offer here specific health tests, panel diagnostics and simpler checks, using techniques such as neurological angiograms and magnetic or tomography perfusion. Guaranteed quality Estonian laboratories are certified under the international standard ISO 15189 and use new generation technology which is generally less than five years old. The results of the tests are assessed by radiologists and specialists with experience of working in large hospitals and laboratories. Sensitive and significant diagnoses are done separately by two different experts and their results are combined for a joint opinion. Test results in English The test results can be given in English by agreement. If treatment takes place in Estonia, the e-health system allows the diagnostic results of foreign patients to be sent quickly to the treating doctor. Personal medicine One of the key innovations in diagnostics in Estonia is personal medicine. Gene tests can help in identifying possible health risks like susceptibility to various cancers, assessing the suitability of particular medical treatments, and providing personal dietary advice for healthy weight control. In cancer treatment, genetic analysis with expert interpretation lets the oncologists get a precise diagnosis of the illness, assess the treatment options and make forecasts for the illness. Differential diagnoses for neurological illnesses, including autoimmune diseases, are very advanced.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES: • Laboratory analyses including cancer tests • Genetic analyses • Radiology including CT, MRI and interventional radiology • Nuclear medicine tests (SPECT and PET-CT) • Functional diagnostic tests (ECG, EEG and similar) • Endoscopic tests including capsule endoscopy • Dermatoscopy

Sample prices*: MRI scan of one area (not including contrast agents): 200 € Hereditary breast cancer analysis: BRCA1 gene testing and BRCA2 gene testing: 500 € *Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

18
Mar

Research and Development

Research and development and innovation are at the centre of the knowledge-based model of societies in developed countries. Estonia is a constantly developing knowledge-based society in which sustainability is based on the creation and use of knowledge to make the society and its innovative economy function more efficiently in order to improve the welfare of the people.

Oncogenetic testing platforms with oncogenetic consultation have been developed in Estonia.

The fight against cancer is not an easy one because cancer is biologically so multi-faceted. The effectiveness of treatment depends largely on how early the cancer is detected. For this reason the Competence Centre for Cancer Research (CCCR) has focused its development work on new early diagnostic platforms that allow the appearance of cancer to be confirmed non-invasively. Some tumours are genetic in nature and the CCCR has developed oncogenetic testing platforms with oncogenetic consultation.

As well as its work on diagnostics, the CCCR also works on treatments, focusing particularly on developing candidates for the new generation of cancer treatments with the aim of making them more targeted so that they kill only the cancer cells and not others, and of minimising side-effects.

The Competence Centre for Cancer Research (CCCR) was founded in 2005 to improve the quality of cancer therapy by developing and implementing new diagnostic platforms and to offer the pharmaceutical industry new drug candidates. Currently the project portfolio of CCCR contains 12 development projects, with 4 applied projects in diagnostics and 8 applied projects in drug development. There are also three basic research projects running.

The CCCR as a research and development institution got a positive score in an international scientific evaluation organised by the Ministry of Education and Research in 2010. In November 2010 the CCCR received special recognition at the Finnish Quality Innovation Awards from the President of Finland for innovative complex services for oncogenetic consultation and testing.

The choice of services:
• Hereditary cancer risk assessment
• Genetic markers in oncology (predictive, prognostic and diagnostic)
• Genetic analysis for nutrition counselling
• Genetic consultation in oncology
• In vitro tests
• Preclinical tests
• DNA/RNA analysis
• First phase clinical trials
• Research and development cooperation in various European Union programmes
• Consultation services for the drug registration process for the EMEA and FDA

Prices:
Hereditary breast cancer testing:
BRCA1 genetic testing: € 500
BRCA2 genetic testing: € 500
Genetic consultation in oncology: € 130
*Example prices for Estonia. To get an individual price quote, please contact your preferred service provider, who will be able to advise you on the most appropriate tests for your personal needs and inform you of the factors that will determine the final cost.

18
Mar

Gynaecology

Experienced Estonian gynaecologists and gynaecologic oncologists can give safe and reliable help to women of any age. All modern treatment techniques and technology are used, and a large part of the gynaecological operations performed in Estonia use minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.

Options for thorough diagnoses
Gynaecology centres have cutting edge technology that allows them to do a variety of diagnostic tests like identifying the morphology of a tumour, or the markers of a tumour and the sensitivity of receptors; or performing hormonal diagnostics, full body digital studies, MRI scans, a variety of ultrasound scans, and endoscopic studies like colposcopy, rectoscopy, cystoscopy, colonoscopy, or gastroscopy.

Solutions that save patients
Minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are predominantly used in gynaecology in Estonia to ensure quicker patient recovery and a better appearance – smaller scars. Endoscopic operations can make up as much as 90% of some treatments at some centres. Reconstructive pelvic surgery can be done using modern synthetic graft materials (meshes). In general, foreign patients can be scheduled to the operation plan within a week.

Valuable skills for second opinions
The wide experience of the doctors and the modern diagnostic options have given Estonia a very good reputation for second opinions among foreign patients in both diagnoses and treatments, particularly in gynaecologic oncology.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES:
• Diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant female genital tumours
• Surgical treatment for urinary incontinence
• Reconstructive surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Hysteroscopy surgery
• Medical termination of pregnancy

Sample prices: Uterine laparoscopic surgery including hysterectomy: € 400
Ovarian and tubal laparoscopic surgery: € 800
Pelvic reconstructive plastic surgery: € 650
Diagnostic hysteroscopy or laparoscopy including sterilisation: € 500
*Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers.

18
Mar

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery is the only proven method of achieving significant and sustained weight loss for patients with a body mass index, BMI, of more than 35. Estonia has a great deal of experience of bariatric surgery and all the most up-to-date operating methods are used here. In Estonia, 99% of bariatric operations are done through laparoscopy, which makes the operating procedures much safer. Wide experience of bariatric surgery Hundreds of bariatric operations are performed in Estonia each year, mostly in large centres. Good organisation and medical preparation have made it possible to minimise serious complications and perioperative mortality risk to the same low level as in Sweden. A strong team The Estonian bariatric surgery team contains a bariatric surgeon, an anaesthetist, a dietician and a psychologist. Patients are advised and consulted before and after operations. The rapidly evolving field of bariatric training is very good in Estonia, and bariatric doctors have earned national recognition, with Dr Ilmar Kaur, head of the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Department at the North Estonia Medical Centre being named Estonian Doctor of the Year in 2012. Well located Estonia is conveniently close for patients of high weight who prefer to travel by land or by sea. Foreign patients from Finland, Norway and elsewhere around Europe come here for treatment.

THE CHOICE OF SERVICES: • Fitting of a gastric band • Gastric bypass operation • Vertical gastric resection (gastric sleeve) • Laproscopic gastric Plication

Sample prices: Gastric bypass operation, depending on the package and the additional services such as consultation, accommodation and transfers: € 5000 – € 6500 *Prices are given as a guideline only. The actual price will depend on the choice of services and may vary between service providers..