Top thyroid cancer hospitals in Turkey

Thyroid cancer is one of the most “treatable” types of cancer. With the right approach, it responds very well to treatment, and most patients return to their normal lives. However, success largely depends on the surgeon’s experience and the quality of the surgery performed. Choosing the wrong specialist may lead to voice complications, the need for repeat surgeries, or lifelong use of high-dose hormone therapy.

According to studies, the 5-year survival rate for differentiated thyroid cancer reaches 98–99%. In low-risk papillary thyroid cancer, recurrence occurs in only 1% of cases after surgery and radioactive iodine therapy (PubMed).

At Experts Medical, we have been helping patients with this diagnosis for 9 years. During this time, more than 12,000 people have come through us, and we know exactly which doctors should be considered first. You do not need to search for everything on your own. We have already done this work for you.

1. Florence Nightingale Hospital

Florence Nightingale Hospital is one of the leading endocrine surgery centers in Istanbul, with an academic affiliation to Demiroglu Bilim University. The hospital performs thyroid cancer surgeries with mandatory use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (electrophysiological monitoring of the vocal nerves during surgery) to protect the vocal nerves and ensure precise tumor removal. The clinic offers both total thyroidectomy (complete removal of the thyroid gland) and less extensive procedures depending on the stage of the disease.

Prof. Dr. Fatih Tunca is the clinic’s leading endocrine surgeon. He actively treats papillary thyroid cancer and pays special attention to safe tumor removal while preserving voice function and the parathyroid glands.

Advantages:

• High precision thyroidectomy благодаря intraoperative neuromonitoring
• Extensive experience in surgeries for papillary thyroid cancer
• Academic-level surgery and close collaboration with pathologists
• Compliance with ATA recommendations regarding the extent of surgery
• Availability of radioactive iodine therapy within the same healthcare system
• Prof. Dr. Fatih Tunca has more than 25 years of experience in thyroid surgery. The doctor is known for his meticulous approach to preserving the vocal nerves and parathyroid glands

2. Hisar Intercontinental Hospital

Hisar Intercontinental Hospital is a modern clinic with a strong endocrine surgery department. The hospital performs total thyroidectomy, central and lateral neck lymph node dissection (removal of affected lymph nodes) using minimally invasive techniques. The clinic is well known for its strong support for international patients and Russian-speaking assistance.

Prof. Dr. Nuri Alper Şahbaz is a European board-certified endocrine surgeon. He actively participates in the development of national guidelines for thyroid cancer treatment.

Advantages:

• European board certification in endocrine surgery
• Significant experience in total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection
• Minimally invasive and endoscopic approaches
• Comprehensive endocrine multidisciplinary tumor board
• Strong support for international patients
• Prof. Dr. Nuri Alper Şahbaz has performed more than 2,000 endocrine surgeries. The doctor has one of the largest thyroidectomy series in Turkey

3. Memorial Şişli Hospital

Memorial Şişli Hospital is one of the most experienced clinics in Turkey for comprehensive thyroid cancer treatment. A highly coordinated team provides the full treatment cycle: from surgical tumor removal to radioactive iodine therapy and targeted therapy for refractory forms. The clinic was the first in Turkey to receive JCI accreditation.

Leading specialists:

• Prof. Dr. Adnan Isgor: One of the most experienced endocrine surgeons in Turkey. Specializes in surgical treatment of thyroid cancer, including complex cases with metastases to the neck lymph nodes. Has extensive practical experience in total thyroidectomy and central lymph node dissection.

• Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Türkmen: Nuclear medicine specialist with more than 30 years of experience. One of Turkey’s leading experts in radioactive iodine therapy. Pays special attention to patients with refractory thyroid cancer (not responding to standard therapy) and metastatic forms of the disease.

• Prof. Dr. Serkan Keskin: Experienced medical oncologist specializing in systemic therapy for thyroid cancer. Actively works with molecular tumor profiling and selects targeted therapy for patients with aggressive and refractory forms of the disease.

Advantages:

• Comprehensive thyroid cancer team (surgery + radioactive iodine + systemic therapy) within one center
• Extensive experience in radioactive iodine therapy and treatment of refractory disease forms
• Advanced NGS molecular testing covering more than 600 genes for precise therapy selection
• High surgical volume and a strong reputation in endocrine surgery
• The first hospital in Turkey with JCI accreditation
• Prof. Dr. Adnan Isgor has performed thousands of surgeries and has one of the country’s lowest complication rates (vocal cord paralysis and hypoparathyroidism)
• Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Türkmen has extensive experience treating patients with refractory thyroid cancer who do not respond to standard radioactive iodine therapy
• Prof. Dr. Serkan Keskin specializes in targeted therapy for aggressive and mutated forms of thyroid cancer (BRAF, RET, etc. — mutations in tumor genes for which targeted drugs are selected)

4. Anadolu Medical Center

Anadolu Medical Center is one of the most technologically advanced oncology centers in Turkey, accredited by OECI and ESMO Designated Centre. The clinic offers a full cycle of thyroid cancer treatment, including surgery, highly precise radiation therapy, and modern targeted therapy for progressive forms.

Leading thyroid cancer specialists:

• Prof. Dr. Banu Atalar — leading radiation oncologist, expert in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and MR-guided radiation therapy (MRI-guided radiation treatment to improve precision). Specializes in the treatment of refractory and metastatic thyroid cancer when standard radioactive iodine therapy is no longer effective.

• Prof. Dr. Bulent Karagoz  — experienced medical oncologist specializing in systemic and targeted therapy. Works effectively with patients who have BRAF and RET mutations, selecting modern medications for aggressive forms of the disease.

• Dr. Sinan Karaaslan — medical oncologist specializing in combination systemic therapy and immunotherapy. Actively participates in treatment planning for all stages of thyroid cancer as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eda Tanrıkulu Simsek — medical oncologist specializing in long-term follow-up after surgery and radioactive iodine therapy. Has extensive experience in managing recurrences and maintenance therapy.

Advantages:

• High-tech radiation therapy (SBRT) for treating thyroid cancer metastases
• Strong multidisciplinary approach and regular tumor boards
• Access to modern targeted drugs for BRAF and RET mutations
• One of the highest accreditations in Turkey (OECI and ESMO Designated Centre)
• Full treatment cycle within one center with a high level of coordination

5. Acibadem Atakent Hospital

Acibadem Atakent Hospital is a modern center with a strong medical oncology team. The clinic provides systemic therapy for thyroid cancer, including targeted drugs and immunotherapy for progressive and refractory forms. The hospital actively uses molecular profiling for individualized treatment selection.

Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Yıldız is an experienced medical oncologist specializing in systemic therapy for thyroid cancer. He actively works with molecular markers and modern treatment protocols for aggressive and refractory forms of the disease.

Advantages:

• Modern systemic and targeted therapy for progressive thyroid cancer
• Advanced molecular testing for precise drug selection
• Strong team of medical oncologists within a large healthcare network
• Access to the latest international treatment protocols
• High technological level of diagnostics and treatment
• Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Yıldız has extensive experience using immunotherapy and targeted drugs for aggressive forms of thyroid cancer. The doctor actively uses genetic profiling results for personalized treatment selection

Final Analysis: Who Is the Best Fit and Why

Thyroid cancer is one of those cancers where the outcome primarily depends on the experience of the endocrine surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist. For most patients (papillary and follicular cancer, more than 90% of cases), the key specialists are the surgeon and the nuclear medicine physician. A medical oncologist becomes important only in progressive or refractory forms of the disease.

The absolute leader in radioactive iodine therapy is Prof. Cüneyt Türkmen (Memorial Şişli). With 30 years of experience, 94 publications, and deep specialization in I-131 therapy, he is considered one of the best nuclear medicine specialists in Turkey for the treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer.

Top endocrine surgeons:

• Prof. Fatih Tunca (Florence Nightingale) — a strong specialist in neuromonitoring and complex cases of papillary cancer.
• Prof. Nuri Alper Şahbaz (Hisar Intercontinental) — one of the few private surgeons with European board certification in endocrine surgery and extensive surgical experience.
• Prof. Adnan Isgor (Memorial Şişli) — a surgeon with more than 5,000 thyroid surgeries.

Memorial Şişli Hospital demonstrates the best balance of “experience + technology” thanks to the Isgor + Türkmen + Keskin team. Here, patients receive the full treatment cycle under one roof: from high-quality surgery and radioactive iodine therapy to molecular profiling and targeted therapy.

Quick Selection Matrix

• Standard differentiated thyroid cancer (thyroidectomy) → Fatih Tunca or Nuri Alper Şahbaz
• Complex surgery with neuromonitoring → Fatih Tunca
• Radioactive iodine therapy after surgery → Cüneyt Türkmen (Memorial Şişli)
• Progressive or refractory cancer (targeted therapy) → Serkan Keskin (Memorial Şişli)

It is important to understand: thyroid cancer is primarily a surgical and radiological disease. Choosing the right endocrine surgeon and nuclear medicine specialist often plays a much greater role than choosing a medical oncologist.

How Thyroid Cancer Treatment Is Performed in Turkey

Thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey almost always begins with surgery. The main method is thyroidectomy (complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland). If necessary, surgeons also perform central and lateral neck lymph node dissection to remove affected lymph nodes. During surgery, intraoperative neuromonitoring is widely used, helping preserve the vocal nerves and significantly reducing the risk of voice complications.

Depending on the type and stage of cancer, the following methods may be used after surgery:

• Radioactive iodine therapy (I-131) — to destroy remaining cancer cells and micrometastases.
• Targeted therapy — drugs such as lenvatinib, sorafenib, dabrafenib + trametinib for BRAF mutations.
• Immunotherapy — in rare aggressive and refractory cases.
• Suppressive hormone therapy (high doses of L-thyroxine) to suppress the growth of remaining cells.

All decisions regarding the extent of surgery and further treatment are made during a multidisciplinary tumor board involving an endocrine surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, and endocrinologist.

Main advantages of treatment in Turkey:

• High-precision surgery with neuromonitoring, reducing the risk of voice complications
• Possibility of receiving radioactive iodine therapy and targeted therapy within one center
• Individualized approach based on the molecular profile of the tumor
• Modern equipment and experienced endocrine surgeons

How long does treatment take?

• The surgery itself usually lasts from 1.5 to 4 hours.
• Hospitalization after thyroidectomy lasts 2–4 days.
• A full course of radioactive iodine therapy (if needed) takes several days including preparation.
• The total time from diagnosis to completion of the main treatment stage usually ranges from 4–8 weeks.

Recovery

After surgery, most patients return to their normal lives within 2–4 weeks. During the first days, weakness and voice changes may occur, but with the use of neuromonitoring, such complications are rare. After radioactive iodine therapy, temporary isolation for several days is required. In the long term, patients take hormone replacement therapy and undergo regular follow-up with their doctor.

For every patient, specialists create a personalized plan to ensure treatment is as effective and gentle as possible.

Success Rates of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

In low-risk papillary thyroid cancer, after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy, 99.3% of patients achieve a “no evidence of disease” status in the long term. In the group of patients who underwent only total thyroidectomy without radioactive iodine, this rate was significantly lower — 90.6%. The recurrence rate in the radioactive iodine group was only 1%, whereas in the group without radioactive iodine it was significantly higher — 5.8% (PubMed).

These data show that adding radioactive iodine after surgery significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and improves long-term outcomes in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid cancer in Turkey.

Why Choose Experts Medical

At Experts Medical, we have been working for 9 years and helping patients from different countries organize thyroid cancer treatment abroad. All our services are completely free for you — you do not pay anything for doctor selection, document preparation, or support.

We carefully review your medical case and prepare an individualized treatment plan with transparent cost estimates. The cost depends on the clinic, the extent of surgery, and accompanying procedures, so the preliminary estimate is coordinated with the clinic before your trip.

Advantages of working with Experts Medical:

• We provide a second medical opinion and a detailed treatment plan with transparent cost estimates
• We support you throughout the entire journey — from the first documents to your return home — relieving organizational stress
• Always available 24/7 — our team responds quickly to questions and, if necessary, contacts the doctor directly
• We act as your advocates and help resolve any issues that may arise during treatment
• All payments are made directly to the clinic after arrival — in most cases without prepayment
• As physicians, we can quickly answer medical questions after surgery and support you during the first days of recovery
• We work only with trusted specialists selected over many years
• In some cases, we can offer special conditions and more favorable prices
• Our 9 years of experience help avoid common mistakes and ensure you are referred to the doctors best suited for your case

At Experts Medical, we are always on your side. You will not be left alone — we will be with you at every stage and take full responsibility for ensuring that all agreements are fulfilled.

Conclusion

Thyroid cancer responds well to treatment, especially when surgery is performed by an experienced endocrine surgeon and further therapy is managed by a skilled multidisciplinary team. In Turkey, there are several clinics where the level of thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and targeted treatment meets high international standards.

At Experts Medical, we have spent the past 9 years carefully evaluating doctors and clinics, comparing their experience, surgical outcomes, and patient reviews. You do not need to search for everything on your own. We have already done this work for you. We have selected the specialists best suited for thyroid cancer treatment and are ready to help organize your treatment quickly and smoothly.

If you or your loved ones are facing this diagnosis, leave a request on our website. We will contact you shortly and help you make the right choice.

Experts Medical — your reliable partner in organizing treatment abroad.

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