Thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey

Price of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey

The average cost of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey ranges from €3,400 to €6,800. The package includes complex thyroid analyses such as radioactive iodine therapy, consultation with an oncologist, ultrasound, thyroid function tests (including T3, T4, TSH) and thyroidectomy.

Complex oncology diagnosis	1200 €
Biopsy	2600 €
Complex thyroid cancer diagnosis	2100 €
Thyroidectomy	3200 €
Thyroid resection	4800 €
Thyroidectomy	4700 €

The benefits of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey

Thyroid cancer refers to the formation of a malignant tumour in the thyroid gland. This organ, located in the front of the neck, plays an important role. It is responsible for the production of every hormone essential to the smooth functioning of the body’s biological mechanisms.

Thyroid disease is more common in women than in men. Its incidence has risen sharply over the last decade. Treatment varies widely. The doctor chooses it according to the type and form of the cancer and its stage of development. It should be noted that the treatment of the pathology is the responsibility of a specialist in endocrine oncology.

In Turkey, scientific progress has led to the development of a number of innovative therapeutic approaches. This explains why the country of the Bosphorus strait attracts so many international patients. They have dared to make the long journey to benefit from thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey.

What is thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey?

Thyroid cancer is described as an insidious disease, with no symptoms. However, early diagnosis is vitally important. It increases the success of treatment and the chance of survival. A cancerous tumour in the thyroid gland detected late has had time to develop. Treatment becomes more difficult and longer.

In the majority of cases, the doctor only discovers the lesion during a medical examination scheduled for a completely different reason. This is when he suggests various tests to check whether the nodule located in the neck area is dangerous.

Thyroid cancer comes in different varieties:

• Papillary carcinoma, the less aggressive form of the disease, which accounts for around 80-90% of cases,
• Undifferentiated or anaplastic carcinoma, a rare form of the disease that can progress fairly rapidly,
• Medullary carcinoma, a very rare and very aggressive form of cancer linked to an abnormality affecting a thyroid cell called the C or parafollicular cell.

Several hospitals offer thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey. They are willing to accept international patients. Among the most reputed are :

• Memorial Sisli Hospital in Istanbul, which has a very high success rate in oncology,
• The Anadolu Medical Centre in Istanbul, which the Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA) has added to its list of the 10 best hospitals in the world,
• The Medical Park Group in Istanbul, which has earned the title of “centre of excellence” for its ability to provide exceptional medical care to patients,
• Medipol Istanbul University Hospital, a multi-speciality facility renowned for its well-equipped laboratories,
• Medicana International Istanbul, which has the best oncology department in the country,
• Ankara Memorial Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in the Turkish capital.

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How does the treatment work?

Preparation

Patients coming for thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey must always schedule a consultation with a specialist. The specialist will prescribe a number of tests to enable a proper diagnosis to be made. These include

• A broader blood test,
• A biopsy,
• Imaging tests including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
• A thorough physical examination.

All these examinations give the doctor access to every piece of information useful in drawing up the treatment plan, such as :

• The size of the tumour and the area in which it is located,
• The extent to which the cancer has spread,
• The impact of thyroid disease on other surrounding organs,
• The patient’s state of health.

Once the diagnosis has been made, the doctor decides on the procedure to be followed and gives the patient various instructions.

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Treatment

There are several treatment options for thyroid cancer in Turkey. The doctor may opt for :

• Partial thyroidectomy, scheduled surgery to remove the tumour by partial resection of the thyroid gland,
• Total removal of the gland or total thyroidectomy if there is a high risk of recurrence,
• Radiotherapy,
• Radioactive iodine therapy,
• Thyroid hormone replacement with medication,
• Immunotherapy may be used as an additional therapy,
• Chemotherapy before or after surgery.

Convalescence and recovery

Convalescence depends on the treatment option applied. Patients need a few weeks or a few months to recover. Convalescence is prolonged if surgery has been performed. It takes several months before the patient can resume a normal life.

Full recovery is achieved after one year. The patient’s state of health is meticulously monitored throughout this period. The patient also benefits from comprehensive post-treatment care, such as dressing the incised area.

What are the risks, complications and side effects?

The risks vary depending on the type of thyroid cancer treatment applied in Turkey. They include

• Bleeding after surgery,
• Destruction of healthy cells following radioactive iodine therapy or radiotherapy,
• Fatigue,
• Infection,
• Dysphonia if the thyroid gland is removed,
• Pain.

Why opt for thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey?

Thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey is a bold but highly beneficial choice. If you want to understand the benefits of such a decision, just look at the opinions of patients who have already made this medical journey.

Turkey has won the title of best destination for thyroid cancer treatment. This is due to the quality of its medical facilities. But that’s not all! The country has a large number of hospitals and clinics specialising in oncology. It can therefore accommodate many cancer patients.

Istanbul is home to hospitals with a strong international reputation. These establishments have state-of-the-art medical equipment and facilities .

These Turkish hospitals are also famous for the skills of their medical teams. They are made up of experts in endocrinology and oncology. They opt for a specific procedure to treat each patient.

In addition to all this, Turkey encourages research into oncology treatment. This has led to the development of effective, modern treatment strategies. The expertise of doctors also reduces the risk of side-effects. Yet Turkish hospitals charge the lowest price for oncology treatment.

How much does thyroid cancer treatment cost in Turkey?

Many parameters are taken into account when determining the cost of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey:

• The hospital chosen,
• The treatment applied,
• The length of stay,
• The quality of the hospital site,
• The patient’s need for comfort,
• The doctor’s reputation and experience,
• The side effects associated with the treatment,
• The seriousness of the illness, etc.

International patients who decide to use the services of a medical tourism specialist can obtain an attractive price. The cost varies between €3,500 and €6,500.

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Frequently asked questions about thyroid cancer treatment