Doctor Ilya Kirzhner

Dr. Ilya Kirzhner – Hematologist and Expert in Thrombosis and Blood Disorders

I’ve been in medicine since the late 1980s. Over the years, I’ve seen everything from routine cases to very rare blood disorders. I graduated from Samarkand State Medical University in 1992, and after moving to Israel, I completed residencies in Internal Medicine and later Hematology – both with distinction.

Right now, I lead the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Service and the Transfusion Medicine Department at Ichilov Medical Center in Tel Aviv. Alongside my hospital work, I see patients privately – people who are looking for clear answers about complex blood tests, second opinions, or simply someone to help them make sense of their diagnosis.

For privately consultation with Dr. Kirzhner:

📞 Phone: +972-73-374-6844
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: +972-52-337-3108

My Approach

I like to start simple: I sit down with my patients, go through their lab results line by line, explain what’s important and what’s not, and build a step-by-step plan. Sometimes it’s further tests, sometimes a change in treatment, and sometimes just reassurance.

I’ve often met patients who told me: “I wish I came sooner.” That’s why I believe in early assessment. The earlier we check, the easier it is to act.

Expertise

• Blood cancers: leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, MDS.
• Anemias, platelet problems, and rare clotting disorders.
• Second opinions and case reviews.
• Guidance before bone marrow transplant.

I also teach hematology at Tel Aviv University and take part in international research. My work has been published in Leukemia Research, Annals of Hematology, British Journal of Haematology and others.

What I Tell My Patients

“Feeling tired for weeks? Bruises that don’t make sense? Enlarged lymph nodes? These are reasons to check your blood. It doesn’t always mean something serious, but knowing early changes everything.”

“Even if you’re already in treatment, a second opinion helps. Sometimes I confirm you’re on the right track. Other times, we adjust things slightly – and it makes a big difference.”

📞 Contact me directly for a private consultation:
Phone: +972-73-374-6844 | WhatsApp: +972-55-923-1022 | Email: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions – Answered Personally by Dr. Ilya Kirzhner

1. When is the right time to see a hematologist?
   “I often tell people – if you’re even thinking about it, it’s probably time. I meet many patients who waited too long because they thought it would pass. If your blood tests are unclear, you’ve had fatigue for weeks, bruises show up for no reason, or your lymph nodes are swollen – don’t wait. A quick checkup and some tests can save a lot of stress later. More than once I’ve heard patients say, ‘I wish I came in earlier.’”
2. Is there any point in getting a second opinion if I’m already in treatment?
   “Absolutely. Even if you’ve started treatment, it’s worth reviewing everything carefully. I go over all the lab results, explain what they mean in plain words, and see if there’s room to adjust or add newer options. Sometimes, even a small change in the plan can make a big difference.”
3. What’s the difference between lymphoma and myeloma?
   “People get those two mixed up all the time. And I get why – they sound alike. But they’re really not the same. Lymphoma starts in the lymph nodes; myeloma’s from plasma cells in the bone marrow. Two different spots, two different problems. And because of that, the way we treat them isn’t the same either – sometimes it’s chemo, sometimes newer drugs, sometimes even a transplant. When I explain it like that, people usually say, ‘Ah, okay, now I see it.’”
4. How do you know if a bone marrow transplant is needed?
   “It’s not a quick call, honestly. I look at everything – blood tests, biopsy, scans, even the person’s overall health. Sometimes the newer meds are enough, and you don’t need transplant at all. Other times? It’s the best shot at really getting control. I always sit down with patients, go over the risks and what it means step by step. It’s a big decision, and I make sure they truly get it.”
5. What is CAR-T therapy and could it be right for me?
   “I tell patients it’s like training your own immune system to fight smarter. We take your cells, rework them, and put them back in to go after the cancer. Sounds futuristic, right? But it’s here, and it works for some tough lymphomas and leukemias. Not everyone’s a match, though – so we go through your records, your tests, and see if it’s even on the table for you.”
6. I feel healthy – why would I even test my blood clotting?
   “Most people only find out there’s a clotting issue when something bad happens – like a clot or bleeding that’s hard to stop. I’d rather check before that. I recommend it before big surgery, during pregnancy, or if there’s family history of clots or bleeding. It’s a quick test that can save you a lot of trouble later.”
7. I’m always tired – could this be blood-related?
   “Yeah, it could. Fatigue is probably one of the things I hear about the most. Sometimes it’s just low iron – easy fix. But sometimes it’s tied to things like myeloma or leukemia. When tiredness keeps going for weeks, I usually start with simple blood work. A lot of times, by the next day, we already know what’s going on.”