Oncology
Clinical Focus
Professor Tamar Safra is an Israeli medical oncologist whose work has been focused for many years on cancers of the female reproductive system. Her clinical practice involves the evaluation and management of gynecologic malignancies such as ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer and other less common tumors of the reproductive tract.
Many patients who come for consultation are facing complex decisions — sometimes after a recent diagnosis, and sometimes after treatment has already started and they want to better understand the options available to them.
In addition to her clinical work, Professor Safra is involved in clinical research in gynecologic oncology at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), where she leads clinical trials that explore new therapeutic approaches for gynecologic cancers.
Conditions Commonly Evaluated
During consultations Professor Safra reviews a wide range of oncologic conditions affecting the female reproductive system, including:
- ovarian cancer
- endometrial cancer (uterine cancer)
- cervical cancer
- fallopian tube cancers
- rare gynecologic malignancies
- recurrent gynecologic cancers
- oncologic evaluation before or after gynecologic surgery
- second opinions in complex cases
Treatment decisions in gynecologic oncology rarely depend on a single factor. The type of tumor, its molecular characteristics, the stage of disease, and the patient’s overall health all play a role in determining the most appropriate treatment strategy.
Professional Experience
Professor Safra has been involved in the care of women with gynecologic cancers for many years and has worked in several leading medical institutions.
- Since 2010 she has served as Head of the Gynecologic Oncology Service at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov).
- Earlier in her career, between 2002 and 2007, she worked as a senior physician within the oncology division of the same medical center, focusing on complex gynecologic cancer cases.
- From 1996 to 2000 she worked at the Norris Cancer Center at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where she participated in both clinical care and research related to gynecologic malignancies.
- Her specialization in oncology was completed at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, where she trained in the diagnosis and management of oncologic diseases.
Approach to Care
In gynecologic oncology there is rarely a single solution that fits every patient.
Some women require surgery as a central part of treatment. Others may begin with systemic therapy such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or biologic treatments. In many cases treatment involves a combination of approaches.
When evaluating a case, several elements are considered:
- the stage of the disease
- biological characteristics of the tumor
- previous treatments
- the overall condition of the patient
The goal is to choose a treatment strategy that is medically sound while also taking into account the patient’s quality of life.
Education
- Professor Tamar Safra graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical School in Jerusalem.
- She later continued postgraduate training in oncology through the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, where she expanded her expertise in clinical oncology and cancer management.
Professional Memberships
Professor Safra is a member of several professional medical organizations, including:
- Israeli Society of Clinical Oncology
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
Languages
- Hebrew
- English
Schedule a Consultation
To schedule a consultation with Professor Tamar Safra:
📞 Phone: +972-73-374-6844
📧 Email: [email protected]
💬 WhatsApp: +972-52-337-3108
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is ovarian cancer usually detected at an early stage?
Unfortunately, not always. One of the challenges with ovarian cancer is that early symptoms can be quite vague. Women may notice bloating, mild abdominal discomfort, or changes that are easy to attribute to other causes.
Because of that, the diagnosis is sometimes made at a later stage. Regular gynecologic checkups are still important, since occasionally these visits help identify concerns earlier.
2. How is a gynecologic cancer diagnosis usually established?
In most situations the diagnosis develops step by step rather than from a single test.
The process often starts with a clinical examination and ultrasound imaging. Depending on the findings, additional studies such as CT or MRI may be recommended. Blood tests can also provide helpful information.
However, the final diagnosis typically relies on tissue analysis obtained through biopsy or surgery. This allows doctors to determine the exact tumor type and guide treatment decisions.
3. Does treatment always start with surgery?
Not necessarily. Many people assume surgery is always the first step, but that is not always the case.
Sometimes surgery is indeed the central part of treatment. In other situations it may be more appropriate to begin with systemic therapy — for example chemotherapy or targeted treatments — and consider surgery later.
Each case is evaluated individually.
4. Are there new treatments available for ovarian cancer today?
Yes, the treatment landscape has changed significantly over the past decade. In addition to traditional chemotherapy, targeted therapies and biologic treatments have become important options.
For example, PARP inhibitors are now widely used in certain patients with ovarian cancer, particularly when specific genetic or molecular features are present.
Because of this, molecular testing of tumors has become increasingly important when planning treatment.
5. When should someone consider seeking a second opinion?
A second opinion can be useful in several situations — particularly when the diagnosis is complex or when multiple treatment options are possible.
Sometimes another consultation simply helps patients understand the situation more clearly and feel more confident about the decisions they are making.