Breast cancer treatment in Turkey

In recent years, Turkey has demonstrated significant success in the field of breast cancer treatment as evidenced by the improvement of patient survival statistics. This has become possible due to the introduction of early diagnostic methods and more effective methods of antitumor therapy.

Currently, the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment in Turkey is in no way inferior to that in the leading medical centers of the UK, Israel, and European countries. Turkish clinics are constantly upgrading diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and introducing innovative methods such as organ-preserving operations, hypofractionated irradiation, targeted and immune therapy. A personalized treatment plan is developed for each patient, which significantly increases its effectiveness.

The field of oncology in Turkey is rapidly developing, new therapeutic methods are being introduced that allow achieving a positive result in the vast majority of cases. However, as with any oncological disease, much depends on the stage at which the malignant tumor was diagnosed. Memorial Medical Center provides the following statistics on the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment in Turkey:

• if the tumor is detected at stage 0, the probability of success of therapy and the absence of subsequent relapses is 98%;
• at stage I – 96%;
• at stage II – 88%.

That is, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the higher the chances of success. In order not to miss cancer at an early stage, doctors recommend regularly undergoing preventive oncological check-ups, without waiting for the appearance of alarming symptoms. In Turkey, this type of care for your own health can be combined with a pleasant vacation. Find out from our coordinator-doctor how to undergo a check-up in Turkish clinics.

The pricing policy in oncological centers in Turkey is more loyal than in clinics in Israel, Germany, and the USA. At the same time, Turkish doctors actively use advanced medical technologies, providing a high level of quality of antitumor therapy. Below are examples of prices for breast cancer treatment in Turkey:

• Oncologist consultation is from €200;
• Breast ultrasound is from €100;
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of one area is €350-500;
• Surgery (lumpectomy) is €2500-4000;
• Comprehensive breast cancer treatment (diagnostics + surgery + hospitalization) is €7000-13990;
• Chemotherapy (course) is from €1500.
• Radiation therapy is €5000 to 7000€.

When planning breast cancer treatment in Turkey, it should be taken into account that the cost of certain diagnostic and therapeutic procedures may vary depending on a number of factors. First of all, these include the stage of cancer, the pricing approach of the selected clinic, the methods of therapy used. Write or call us, and a certified physician coordinator of Experts Medical will provide you with price information that will be relevant in your particular case.

In Turkish clinics, as well as in the world’s leading oncology centers, doctors prefer to perform organ-preserving surgeries. The essence of this type of surgical intervention is the removal of a tumor with a small amount of surrounding healthy tissue. After the operation, the patient undergoes radiation therapy to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of the disease.

This approach is of great psychological importance for the patient. Some women with breast cancer refuse treatment due to the need for a mastectomy, fearing that the consequences of the operation will negatively affect their appearance, as well as social and sexual life. Meanwhile, a study conducted in Switzerland showed that refusing surgery doubles the risk of death from breast cancer. Organ-preserving surgeries in Turkey allow to avoid these problems.

If cancer is diagnosed at a late stage and it is impossible to preserve the mammary gland, Turkish doctors offer so-called oncoplastic surgeries. Their essence lies in the removal of all breast tissue and its subsequent reconstruction using implants. Considering that plastic surgery in Turkey is one of the most developed areas of medicine, patients can count on an excellent aesthetic result. 

Another achievement of surgical treatment of breast cancer in Turkey is the possibility of performing a biopsy of sentinel axillary lymph nodes. This diagnostic method allows us to understand whether cancer cells have penetrated the lymph nodes. If there are no metastases, lymph node dissection is not performed. This avoids side effects such as swelling and limited mobility of the arm, which often occur after removal of axillary lymph nodes.

In general, it is possible but much depends on the stage and type of cancer. In rare cases, neoadjuvant chemotherapy in combination with hormonal therapy and radiation therapy can destroy the cancerous tumor without surgery. However, within the framework of evidence-based medicine, surgery remains the main and most effective method of treating breast cancer for most patients.

In Turkey, it is possible to perform one-stage breast reconstruction. This means that immediately after the removal of a malignant tumor or the entire mammary gland, the reconstructive surgeon restores it with an implant. That is, the woman does not have to go through long waiting periods before reconstruction, which improves the psychological state and reduces the stress associated with the loss of the breast.

Radiation therapy is an important stage of cancer treatment. Radiation therapy allows to destroy cancer cells that may have remained in the patient’s body after surgery. The standard treatment program, which has been practiced for many years, involves radiation 5 days a week, and the entire course of treatment lasts about 5-7 weeks. This can be very tiring for patients, especially if they are treated far from home.

In Turkey, hypofractionated radiotherapy is available. It involves using higher doses of radiation in each treatment, but the total number of sessions and the duration of the treatment are reduced. This approach is made possible by using higher doses of radiation in one treatment, which allows the same total dose of radiation to be achieved in fewer visits. In general, hypofractionated radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment in Turkey takes only 3-4 weeks.

Advantages of the new radiotherapy method:

• Effectiveness. Studies have shown that hypofractionated radiotherapy is as effective as traditional radiotherapy in preventing breast cancer recurrence.
• Convenience for the patient. Fewer visits to the clinic reduce the overall time spent on treatment. This makes life easier for patients, both morally and financially, especially those treated abroad.
• Fewer side effects. Despite higher radiation doses per session, the overall side effect profile of hypofractionated therapy remains comparable to the traditional method, due to the precision and direction of radiation. But due to the reduction in the duration of the course of therapy, patients tolerate hypofractionated therapy better.

Treatment begins with a thorough diagnosis, including genetic tests and analyses that allow oncologists to accurately select the necessary drugs. Specialists individually develop a treatment regimen, taking into account the stage of the disease, the patient’s health condition and the molecular characteristics of the tumor.

Treatment takes place in the comfortable conditions of a day hospital, where patients are constantly monitored by medical staff. Chemotherapy is usually administered in courses at certain intervals to give the body time to recover. During each session, the patient can rest in a comfortable chair, and the medical team closely monitors how she tolerates the treatment. 

In Turkey, great attention is paid to supporting patients during chemotherapy. Here, modern methods are used to minimize side effects such as nausea, hair loss, weakness and decreased immunity. Patients are prescribed drugs to prevent nausea, as well as vitamin complexes and diets that help maintain immunity and overall well-being.

In addition, many clinics offer psychological support programs, including consultations with psychologists to help patients cope with the emotional burden. Rehabilitation procedures such as massage, physiotherapy and programs for restoring strength help to return to an active life faster.

In some cases, breast cancer treatment in Turkey can be effective without the use of chemotherapy drugs, especially if the disease is detected at an early stage and the tumor has certain biological characteristics. Studies show that under certain conditions, for example, ER-positive and HER2-negative tumors with a low risk of recurrence, chemotherapy can be avoided, replacing it with hormonal or targeted therapy. 

On the other hand, for certain subtypes of cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), chemotherapy often remains an important component of treatment due to the aggressive nature of the disease and the high risk of recurrence. However, Turkish doctors are actively exploring the possibility of using other treatments, such as immunotherapy, which help reduce the dependence on chemotherapy.

In any case, the treatment of breast cancer in Turkey involves the work of an interdisciplinary medical conference. , doctors of various profiles selects therapeutic tactics, which will not only be effective, but also most acceptable for a particular patient.

In Turkish clinics, the latest methods of targeted therapy and immunotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer are actively used, which makes the country one of the advanced centers of cancer. 

Targeted therapy in Turkey includes the use of molecular targets. They block the mechanisms that are responsible for the growth and division of cancer cells and help slow down the progression of the disease. The advantages of targeted therapy are that it acts directly on malignant cells, without affecting healthy ones. Therefore, side effects with this type of treatment are less pronounced than with standard chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy is also actively used in Turkey to treat breast cancer, especially in difficult cases, such as three times negative breast cancer. This treatment method is aimed at activating the patient’s immune system to combat cancer cells. Clinical studies have shown that the addition of immunotherapy to chemotherapy increases the percentage of complete destruction of cancer cells almost three times compared to traditional treatment methods.

These innovative approaches not only improve clinical results, but also improve the quality of life of patients, providing them with more personalized and less toxic treatment options compared to traditional methods.

To do this, just fill out the feedback form or call the phone indicated on the site. A certified coordinator doctor Experts Medical will carefully study your medical case and offer several treatment options in the best Turkish clinics specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, such as Aсibadem, Medipol, Liv Ulus, Anadolu, Medicana, etc. We will tell you about the advantages of treatment in that or another medical center and help draw a reasonable conclusion.

At this stage, we will also carry out a detailed analysis of prices for the treatment of breast cancer in Turkey and select the optimal plan for therapy depending on your financial capabilities and medical preferences. Our team Experts Medical will develop an individual treatment plan and take care of all aspects of your stay in Turkey. We will reserve tickets and a hotel, organize a transfer, provide a qualified translator and help solve any organizational issues.

Our goal is to provide you with maximum comfort and safety throughout the treatment so that you can focus on your recovery. Trust Experts Medical and we will provide you with comprehensive support for you at every stage of your path to health!