Pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey

How much does pancreatic cancer treatment cost in Turkey?

Pancreatic cancer surgery costs an average of €8,500 in Istanbul, Turkey. Depending on the extent of the disease, the type of operation and the clinic chosen, the lowest price for pancreatic cancer surgery in Turkey is €4,800 and can go as high as €19,000.

Pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey	8.500 €
Proton beam therapy	42.000 €
Tomotherapy	7.800 €
Whipple surgery (pancreaticoduodenectomy)	12.800 €
NanoKnife	11.200 €

Pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey

The pancreas is one of the body’s vital organs. It has a number of major functions. The first is to produce pancreatic juice, the enzyme essential for digestion. The second function is to secrete the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels.

Cancer can develop in this gland at the top of the abdomen. The disease is often linked to disturbances in the behaviour and growth of its cells. It is rare and initially asymptomatic. Early diagnosis is often impossible. This can reduce the chance of recovery.

Treating pancreatic cancer is complex. Many patients have decided to travel to Turkey for better treatment. The country is renowned for its research into advanced treatment strategies for this disease. Local experts have discovered revolutionary treatment programmes. They are being applied in some of the country’s hospitals.

Many international patients have chosen to undergo pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey. Medical tourism has become a flagship activity in this country on the Bosphorus strait.

What is pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey?

The cells of the pancreas can undergo abnormal changes. This leads to the formation of a malignant or cancerous tumour. The patient then has pancreatic cancer. The disease can take two forms:

• Ductal adenocarcinoma linked to changes undergone by the exocrine cells responsible for enzyme production, which accounts for around 95% of cases,
• Adenosquamous carcinoma linked to changes in the endocrine cells responsible for insulin production, the rarest form of the disease.

It should be noted that the first symptom of the disease appears late in most cases. These may include

• Pain in the upper abdomen that extends to the back,
• Loss of appetite,
• Involuntary weight loss,
• Recent diabetes,
• Depression,
• Feeling tired,
• Jaundice or yellowing of the skin,
• Formation of blood clots.

If these symptoms occur, pancreatic cancer has already reached an advanced stage. It must therefore be treated as a matter of urgency using an effective method. Pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey is based on various techniques. The country’s oncology experts are working to plan a personalised care process .

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How is pancreatic cancer treatment carried out in Turkey?

Preparation

Any treatment for pancreatic cancer in Turkey is preceded by a precise diagnosis. An initial consultation is therefore scheduled. During this consultation, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo various tests , including :

• A blood test,
• An ultrasound scan of the abdomen,
• Imaging tests such as CT or MRI,
• Endoscopic ultrasound
• A biopsy.

The treatment plan is drawn up on the basis of the results of these various examinations. The doctor informs the patient of the methodology adopted. He also prepares the patient by explaining how the procedure will be carried out.

Treatment

Oncologists can now use a number of innovative methods to treat pancreatic cancer in Turkey. The doctor may choose one of them. But sometimes he will opt for a combination of them. His decision depends on the patient’s state of health, the type of cancer and its stage of progression. Oncology experts may opt for :

• Chemotherapy, a technique that involves killing each cancer cell by administering drugs,
• Radiotherapy to kill malignant cells or reduce the size of the tumour using high-energy beams,
• Targeted therapy based on the administration of drugs that can prevent the cancer from growing,
• Distal pancreatectomy , a surgical procedure to remove the affected part of the pancreas,
• Total pancreatectomy , in which the entire pancreas is removed.

Convalescence

It is not possible to specify the length of convalescence. Many factors could delay recovery. These include the treatment chosen, the outcome and the severity of the disease. However, recovery usually lasts several weeks or months.

Recovery is likely to be slow if the course of treatment includes partial or total surgery. Patients must stay in hospital for a week after the operation. Admission to an intensive care unit is scheduled as soon as the patient leaves the operating theatre. The patient must be under close medical supervision.

The surgeon must closely monitor the patient’s state of health. The recovery period can also be long for them. During the convalescence period, the medical team will monitor the patient, enabling them to:

• Detect any negative effects of the treatment
• Evaluate the effect of the treatment,
• Help patients to recover quickly with high-quality medical care.

What are the risks, complications and side effects?

Risks and complications are often linked to the treatment adopted. They include

• Risks associated with surgery, such as bleeding and infection,
• The development of diabetes,
• Allergies linked to general anaesthesia,
• Loss of pancreatic function,
• Destruction of healthy cells or tissue,
• Fatigue and nausea associated with chemotherapy, etc.

Why opt for pancreas treatment in Turkey?

Treating pancreatic cancer in Turkey is a decision with many advantages. First and foremost, most of the country’s hospitals have world-class medical facilities. These establishments are staffed by experienced oncology specialists. Some of them have taken part in the research that has led to the development of modern, high-performance treatment techniques .

All this means that patients can benefit from the care of an experienced doctor. This is a factor that favours successful treatment. Turkish oncologists also rely on advanced technology to treat their patients well. The most reputed establishments are located in Istanbul and Ankara, to name but a few:

• Acibadem Atakent Hospital, an accredited multi-speciality facility,
• The Florence Nightingale Hospital in Istanbul, which offers a high-quality health service,
• Anadolu Medical Centre in Istanbul,
• Memorial Hospital in Ankara.

Turkey also offers affordable treatment costs. This is another reason why medical travel to this country is an attractive option for both men and women with pancreatic cancer.

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Frequently asked questions about pancreatic cancer treatment