Prostate cancer treatment in Turkey

How much does prostate cancer treatment cost in Turkey?

The average cost of prostate cancer treatment in Turkey is between €7,500 and €19,000. The price of prostate cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer and its stage, the treatment chosen and the patient’s general state of health. It also depends on the hospital and its facilities, the surgeon’s experience and the cost of the drugs.

Prostate cancer treatment in Turkey

7500 €

Introduction

The prostate is a gland found exclusively in men. About the size of a walnut in young men, it is located under the bladder, just in front of the rectum.

This small gland plays a crucial role in the male reproductive system by producing part of the fluid contained in sperm.

Prostate cancer is the 2ᵉ most common form of cancer in men. With more than 1.4 million new cases diagnosed in 2020, it represents a real public health problem worldwide.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour that develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland begin to multiply uncontrollably.

Prostate cancer, which mainly affects men over 60, is more rarely diagnosed in patients under 40.

Although this form of cancer often progresses slowly, with some carriers dying of old age, there are also more aggressive forms. These spread rapidly to other parts of the body, leading to metastatic prostate cancer.

What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?

The early stages of prostate cancer generally cause no symptoms, which is why early detection is so important.

On the other hand, a more advanced form of the disease may manifest itself through a number of signs or symptoms, including :

• Difficulty urinating ;
• Pain or burning when urinating;
• A frequent urge to urinate, especially at night;
• The feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely;
• Blood in the urine or semen;
• Painful ejaculation;
• Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area;
• Weight loss.

However, these symptoms can also be caused by other, non-cancerous health problems. They may be linked to a simple urinary infection or to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is why it is important to consult a doctor for a precise diagnosis.

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Screening for prostate cancer in Turkey

The digital rectal examination (DRE ) is a routine, quick and painless test that enables the urologist to detect any abnormality in the shape or consistency of the prostate.

If there is any doubt, a blood test including a PSA measurement is carried out. This protein, produced by the prostate, can indicate an abnormality in the organ when it is abnormally high, which may or may not be due to cancer.

A multiparametric MRI (detailed magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate) may be carried out to help locate suspect areas before a prostate biopsy. A prostate biopsy, sometimes performed using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), involves taking samples of prostate tissue, the pathological examination of which confirms or not the presence of cancerous cells and determines their type.

Finally, additional tests such as MRI or PET (positron emission tomography) scans are used toassess the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer detected.

What prostate cancer treatments are available in Turkey?

In order to provide a comprehensive care pathway for prostate cancer patients, Turkey offers an optimal range of modern medical technologies and approaches.

Each patient’sprostate cancer treatment is defined according to several criteria: the size of the cancerous mass, its type and grade, not forgetting the patient’s overall state of health.

Here are the treatment options available in Turkey, some of which may be combined.

• Careful monitoring : in some cases, prostate cancer detected early only requires close, regular monitoring (PSA levels and biopsies);
• Surgery (radical prostatectomy) : this procedure, either retropubic (incision in the lower abdomen) or perineal (incision between the anus and the scrotum), and possibly robotic, aims to remove the entire prostate. Other less invasive surgical methods may be chosen, such as laparoscopic surgery (tiny incisions in the abdominal wall) or transurethral resection of the prostate. The latter, which involves partial removal of the inner part of the prostate without opening the skin, uses a resectoscope that follows the urethra.
• Radiotherapy : this treatment delivers high-intensity radiation to destroy prostate cancer cells. Radiotherapy is either external (common radiotherapy) or internal (brachytherapy).
• Chemotherapy: anti-cancer drugs are administered by vein injections or orally.
• Other drug treatments: hormone therapy, immunotherapy or other targeted therapies (radiopharmaceutical drugs such as Lu-177) complete the fight against the disease;
• Cryotherapy: extremely low temperatures are used to destroy cancer cells;
• HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound): targeted ultrasound delivers thermal ablation in a non-invasive procedure.

What are the side effects of prostate cancer treatment?

When prostate cancer spreads beyond the original organ, it can cause pain, erectile dysfunction and even incontinence.

In addition, there may be side effects from the treatment(s) used to combat the disease, such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

These side effects include

• Pain (lower abdomen, tip of the penis), due to the bladder catheter used to evacuate urine while waiting for the scar to heal;
• Fatigue, due to a drop in red blood cells;
• Difficulty maintaining an erection;
• Urinary control problems due to nerve damage;
• Various types of pain, particularly bone or nerve pain at an advanced stage.

These symptoms require appropriate medical management to improve the patient’s quality of life.

What is the recovery process after prostate cancer treatment?

A patient undergoing prostate surgery is discharged from hospital around 4 days after the operation and can resume his normal activities some two weeks later.

Itgenerally takes several weeks to several months for the patient to regain normal functioning of the muscles of the urinary system.

Comprehensive, high-qualityfollow-up is essential to support patients treated for prostate cancer, whether surgically or not.

In addition to post-treatment monitoring, which focuses on following the progress of the disease, detecting any recurrence and managing side-effects, this includes :

• Rehabilitation care (physiotherapy) ;
• Dietary consultations;
• Specialist medical care to manage side effects such as incontinence;
• Psychological support.

Why choose Turkey for prostate cancer treatment?

Choosing Turkey as a destination for medical tourism to undergo treatment for prostate cancer means benefiting from a number of advantages in addition to significant value for money.

• The urology departments of Turkish hospitals and clinics are equipped with the same advanced technology as the best Western establishments. This advanced medical technology, which includes HIFU technology, ensures more effective treatment for patients.
• Turkish health establishments that treat prostate cancer are among the best in the world. Recognised for their expertise in oncology, many of them are certified by the ESMO (European Society of Medical Oncology), among others. Some are accredited by the OECI (Organisation of European Cancer Institutes).
• A large number of highly qualified oncology specialists , using advanced therapeutic techniques, guarantee the excellence of the care provided to their patients. Some doctors cooperate with eminent colleagues based abroad (United States, Germany, etc.)
• Turkish hospitals are renowned for their multidisciplinary care, which is not only personalised and attentive, but also fast.
• During a medical trip to Turkey, particularly to Istanbul, which is located in this beautiful region of the Bosphorus, international patients benefit from a setting that is conducive to a good recovery.

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Frequently asked questions about prostate cancer treatment