Oncology Treatments in Turkey — Cancer Care, Surgery and Advanced Therapies

Turkey has invested significantly in oncology infrastructure over the past two decades, with several hospitals now ranking among the highest-volume cancer centres in Europe and the Middle East.

Major university hospitals and private hospital groups in Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya operate comprehensive cancer centres with multidisciplinary tumour boards, advanced imaging, robotic surgery platforms, linear accelerators for radiation therapy and dedicated oncology pharmacy services.

The oncology treatments available in Turkey cover the full spectrum: surgical oncology (tumour resection, lymph node dissection, organ-preserving surgery), medical oncology (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy), radiation oncology (IMRT, SBRT, CyberKnife, proton therapy at select centres), nuclear medicine (PET-CT diagnostics, radioiodine therapy, lutetium-177 PSMA therapy) and supportive care (pain management, nutritional support, psycho-oncology).

For international patients, the most commonly managed cancers in Turkey include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, gynaecological cancers, head and neck cancers, liver and pancreatic cancers and haematological malignancies.

Modern cancer treatment is not a single-doctor decision. At accredited Turkish cancer centres, each new patient case is presented to a multidisciplinary tumour board (MDT) consisting of surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists and specialist nurses.

The tumour board reviews the patient's imaging, pathology and staging to agree on an evidence-based treatment plan. This may involve surgery followed by chemotherapy, neoadjuvant (pre-surgical) chemotherapy to shrink the tumour before surgery, radiation therapy as a standalone treatment or in combination, or palliative care when curative treatment is not possible.

For international patients, NexWell can arrange a remote tumour board review before travel. Patients submit their existing imaging, pathology reports and medical history. The Turkish oncology team reviews the case and provides a preliminary treatment plan with estimated timeline and cost before the patient commits to travelling.

Turkish surgical oncology teams perform complex cancer operations including Whipple procedures (pancreatic cancer), hepatectomy (liver cancer), radical nephrectomy (kidney cancer), HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal cancers), total mesorectal excision (rectal cancer) and robotic-assisted prostatectomy.

Robotic surgery platforms (da Vinci Xi) are available at multiple centres in Istanbul and Ankara, enabling minimally invasive cancer surgery with shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.

Organ-preserving approaches are prioritised when oncologically safe. For breast cancer, breast-conserving surgery with sentinel lymph node biopsy is preferred over mastectomy when tumour size and location permit. For kidney cancer, partial nephrectomy is preferred over radical nephrectomy for small tumours.

Surgical oncology outcomes depend on case volume. NexWell refers cancer surgery patients to centres that meet minimum annual volume thresholds for the specific cancer type, because surgical oncology literature consistently shows better outcomes at high-volume centres.

Cancer treatment costs vary enormously depending on cancer type, stage and treatment plan. General ranges for common treatments in Turkey:

Service

Turkey Range

UK Private / USA Range

PET-CT scan

$500-$1,000

$2,000-$6,000

Cancer surgery (general)

$5,000-$15,000

$20,000-$80,000

Chemotherapy (per cycle)

$500-$3,000

$3,000-$15,000

Immunotherapy (per cycle)

$2,000-$5,000

$10,000-$30,000

Radiation therapy (full course)

$3,000-$8,000

$15,000-$50,000

Robotic prostatectomy

$8,000-$12,000

$25,000-$50,000

Bone marrow transplant

$30,000-$60,000

$150,000-$400,000

These ranges are indicative. Cancer treatment rarely involves a single item — accurate cost estimation requires a full case review with staging, pathology and proposed treatment protocol. NexWell provides detailed cost breakdowns after the tumour board review.

Many international patients contact NexWell not for first-line treatment but for a second opinion on their existing cancer diagnosis or treatment plan. This is particularly common when patients have been told their case is inoperable, when they want to explore targeted therapy or immunotherapy options available in Turkey, or when they are comparing treatment plans across countries.

NexWell can arrange a formal second opinion through Turkish oncology specialists. The process requires pathology slides (or a pathology report with specific molecular markers), current imaging on CD/USB, a summary of treatments received so far and any genetic testing results.

The second opinion is provided in writing within 5-7 working days and includes a treatment recommendation, estimated timeline and cost projection. This allows patients to make informed decisions before committing to travel.

Cancer treatment trips differ from elective procedure trips. Patients may need:

• Extended stays (weeks to months for chemotherapy or radiation courses)
• Accommodation near the hospital with kitchen access for patients on special diets
• Companion accommodation (most cancer patients travel with a family member)
• Wheelchair-accessible transport for patients with limited mobility
• Coordination with home oncologists for treatment continuity
• Translation of medical records into the patient's language for home follow-up

NexWell assigns a dedicated patient coordinator for oncology cases who manages logistics across the entire treatment journey — from initial case review through treatment completion and handover to the home medical team.