Treatment of esophageal cancer in Turkey

Turkish medical centers are recognized as one of the best for the treatment of all types of oncological pathologies, including esophageal cancer. Treatment in Turkey is characterized by high efficiency at all stages:

1. Oncologists accurately diagnose the stage of the disease and develop a comprehensive therapy scheme at a consilium. It includes surgeons, radiologists, chemotherapists and gastroenterologists. This approach allows to make a plan adapted for each patient, based on the recommendations of European and American protocols.
2. In Turkey, doctors perform surgeries in a gentle manner. They do everything possible to remove the tumor and preserve the organ. If this is not possible, esophageal plastic surgery is performed. In the future, this will allow the human digestive system to function normally. 
3. Cancer centers are equipped with advanced diagnostic equipment, thanks to which the risk of medical error is reduced to zero. It is not uncommon for Turkish doctors to refute diagnoses made to patients in other countries.
4. The therapy complex may include innovative medicines approved by the FDA, which have shown their success at 3-4 stages. Such drugs may not be available in other countries.
5. Patients who have turned to doctors in Turkey for treatment of esophageal cancer, note in their reviews affordable prices. They are on average 30-40% lower compared to America, Europe and Israel.

According to the WHO, esophageal cancer is among the most dangerous and rapidly developing tumors. The disease originates in the esophagus walls and can be asymptomatic for a long time. It is often detected at late stages, when the tumor has spread to other organs. This complicates treatment and reduces the chances of recovery. 

At the appearance of heartburn, prolonged coughing, difficulty swallowing, and pain in the chest area, it is worth contacting experienced Turkish specialists to start therapy as soon as possible. The next day after the examination, Turkish doctors start treatment. In the early stages, esophageal cancer can be completely cured.

Most patients turned to doctors in Turkey after unsuccessful treatment of esophageal cancer in their home country at the 3rd or 4th stage of the disease. In their reviews, they praise the professionalism of Turkish oncologists, thanks to which they managed to achieve remission and return to active life. In addition to the high quality of medical care in treating esophageal cancer, patients in reviews note VIP service in clinics in Turkey.

Diagnosis of the disease in Turkey takes on average 3 days. First, the gastroenterologist collects a detailed history and examines the results of studies to see if the patient has previously undergone them. In the examination plan, doctors can appoint:

1. Barium test. This is an X-ray study, before which the patient is given to drink a liquid containing barium. The substance makes the esophagus visible, and the tumor is shown in the pictures if there is one.
2. Endoscopy with biopsy. The complex test is performed with the help of an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end. If suspicious areas are found, the doctor examines the tissues of the esophagus and takes a particle to determine the type of tumor.
3. CT or MRI of the esophagus. The studies provide three-dimensional images of the tissues. Thus it is possible to assess the size and spread of the tumor, its stage, and the presence of metastases.
4. PET-CT. Analysis gives a picture of the spread of cancer in the body, allows you to detect pathology even at an asymptomatic stage. It is carried out using a contrast agent that is injected into a vein before scanning. On the scans, tumor foci will be illuminated.
5. Laboratory blood tests.

Adenocarcinoma of the esophagus is treated comprehensively. An effective way to eliminate the tumor is surgical treatment with the removal of adjacent healthy tissues and lymph nodes. This approach minimizes recurrences and increases the chances of remission. Surgical treatment is supplemented with other methods of therapy, depending on the stage of pathology, the presence of concomitant diseases, and the age of the person. 

The protocol may include:

1. Drug therapy. In addition to high-quality chemopreparations with low toxicity, progressive targeting drugs are available in Turkey. These find and attack cancer cells. They also use different variants of immune therapy, which has a high success rate in advanced stages. 
2. Radiation therapy. It is prescribed at different stages of treatment: before surgery, it helps to reduce the size of the tumor, after – to destroy the remaining malignant cells. In Turkey, radiation is carried out on modern linear gas pedals. Thanks to this, the session lasts for a short time, radioactive rays specifically attack the tumor and do not damage healthy tissues. 

The only way to remove the tumor and avoid recurrence is esophagectomy – surgery to remove the esophageal tumor and part of the surrounding tissues and lymph nodes. Intervention can be open in the case of a large tumor and laparoscopic – in less widespread cancer. 

Many clinics perform robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System. Such a surgery technique is less traumatic, and no significant complications are recorded after it. 

In the process of esophagectomy, the surgeon performs the removal of the malignant focus and connects the remaining portion of the esophagus with the stomach for normal digestion. If necessary, esophageal plastic surgery is performed. For this, the doctor takes a part of the tissue from the large intestine. 

If the tumor is detected at stage 1, when it is still in the esophageal epithelium, open surgery is not necessary. Surgeons in Turkey remove the malignant focus endoscopically, without incisions. Thanks to this, patients quickly recover from esophageal cancer treatment and return to everyday life.

With the help of an endoscope, the doctor first introduces a special solution into the esophagus, which slightly pushes the tumor to the surface and facilitates its removal. Then a thin loop at the end of the endoscope is used to dissect it. If the tumor has grown into the wall, the surgeon uses a microscalpel. 

In a similar way, endoscopes are used in clinics in Turkey to perform ablation in the treatment of esophageal cancer. The procedure aims to destroy the tumor using low or high temperatures: cryo- or radiofrequency ablation. It is performed under CT or ultrasound guidance.

Brachytherapy is a gentle method of radiotherapy based on direct contact between the tumor and the radiation source. It can destroy cancer cells and reduce pain at any stage of treatment. There are different ways of brachytherapy in Turkey:

1. During surgery. The doctor places a tiny capsule in the esophagus that will destroy the malignant cells.
2. By endoscopic method. Using an endoscope, the doctor will insert a source through the patient’s nose or mouth that will stay there for a few minutes. After that, the doctor will remove it. The procedure involves several sessions and can be performed on an outpatient basis. For anesthesia, the patient is put into medicated sleep. 

Patients after treatment in Turkey in reviews call brachytherapy one of the best ways, which as part of the complex therapy of esophageal cancer allows one to achieve remission.

The cost of cancer therapy in Turkish hospitals is one of the most affordable in the world. The final price depends on the stage at which the disease is detected, the complex of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, the terms of hospitalization.

Approximate cost of some services:

• doctor’s consultation – from $150-250;
• computer tomography – from $600;
• chemotherapy – from $1200;
• esophagectomy – from $10000;
• esophagectomy with esophageal plasty – from $22,000.

Upon your request, Experts Medical coordinators will provide up-to-date information about esophageal cancer treatment prices in different hospitals in Turkey.

Most oncology centers are accredited by international commissions such as JCI and ISO. This is a guarantee of high quality and safety of treatment. Experts Medical cooperates with leading hospitals in Turkey, where esophageal cancer treatment complies with international protocols, shows high efficiency, and has positive feedback from patients. Among them are medical centers:

1. Anadolu Clinic in Istanbul is one of the leading hospitals in Europe in the field of cancer treatment, including esophageal cancer treatment. Treatment in Turkey is based on individual protocols, which are developed with colleagues from Johns Hopkins Institute (USA). Radiation therapy is performed on the latest generation Radixact and Varian Edge units, which destroy tumors with millimeter precision.
2. Neolife Medical Center in Istanbul is one of the best cancer hospitals in Turkey and the world. Patients have access to innovative medicines, modern treatment protocols, and participation in clinical trials. Doctors diagnose esophageal cancer at stage zero due to the availability of advanced equipment.
3. Medipol University Hospital in Istanbul. Patients are offered targeted and immune drugs. Genetic and molecular analyses are performed beforehand. The clinic is equipped with PET-CT, and Da Vinci units of the latest modifications. 
4. Liv Hospital in Istanbul has the highest survival rate after abdominal interventions. Robotic surgery is used to remove esophageal tumors. Radiation therapy is performed with the MR Linac Unity Electa. The system automatically adjusts the beam to an accuracy of 0.05 mm, taking into account the displacement of the tumor during inhalation and exhalation of the patient. 

Complete information about the treatment of esophageal cancer in Turkey can be obtained from Experts Medical during a consultation. 

If esophageal cancer is suspected, treatment in Turkey should be started as early as possible. After your contact on this page, the coordinating doctors of Experts Medical will organize your trip to Turkey for esophageal cancer treatment. They will provide you with free consultations, select the right specialist and clinic for your case, and provide the highest level of esophageal cancer treatment in Turkey. An individual consultation will be organized with the doctor to develop a preliminary therapy plan. 

For the entire period of your stay in Turkey for esophageal cancer treatment, you will have access to the assistance of a personal curator from Experts Medical 24/7.