Cancer treatment in Turkey: choosing a hospital, a team and a plan

Why patients choose Türkiye for cancer care

After a cancer diagnosis, every day of waiting feels heavy. Some patients look for a second opinion or treatment abroad because they want quick access to tests and to a team with wide experience in their type of tumour. Istanbul is close – a short direct flight from Sofia, Varna and many European cities – and is home to some of the largest private hospital groups in the region.

The reasons patients mention most often are:

• cancer centres where surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment are under one roof;
• relatively short waits for PET/CT, MRI and biopsy;
• multidisciplinary tumour boards that discuss each case;
• modern methods such as robotic surgery, stereotactic radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy;
• coordinators and interpreters who speak the patient's language.

Treatment in Türkiye does not automatically mean a better outcome. Modern cancer care follows the same international guidelines everywhere, and many treatments are available at home too. The advantage lies mostly in organisation and timing.

What cancer treatment involves

Cancer treatment is almost always a combination of methods chosen according to the type, stage and molecular features of the tumour. See our guide to cancer treatment for more.

• Surgery – removing the tumour and, if needed, lymph nodes; open, keyhole or robotic.
• Radiotherapy – external beam (IMRT, VMAT, stereotactic) or brachytherapy.
• Chemotherapy – before surgery (neoadjuvant), after it (adjuvant) or for advanced disease.
• Targeted therapy – medicines aimed at specific genetic changes in the tumour.
• Immunotherapy – medicines that help the immune system recognise cancer cells.
• Hormone therapy – for example in some types of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

For many cancers – lung, bowel or breast cancer, for example – the choice of medicines depends on molecular tests of the tumour (mutations, PD-L1, HER2 and others). If these are missing, the hospital can often run them on the existing biopsy tissue without a new biopsy.

Which methods are used, and in what order, is decided by the multidisciplinary team – not by the patient or by whoever organises the trip.

A second opinion: often the best first step

Before travelling you can ask for a second opinion on your records. An oncologist reviews the pathology, the scans (on a disc, not just the reports), tumour markers and your treatment so far, and says whether they agree with the plan or suggest another approach.

Sometimes a second opinion confirms that treatment can continue at home. In other cases it recommends further tests – such as genetic testing of the tumour – or surgery at a more experienced centre. New City Clinic arranges such second opinions and usually sends a written plan within 24 hours of reviewing the records.

How to choose a hospital and doctor

Ask these questions before you decide:

• Does the hospital have a cancer centre with surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment in one place?
• Will your case be discussed by a multidisciplinary tumour board?
• What is the surgeon's experience with your type of tumour, and who exactly will operate?
• Does the plan follow international guidelines (ESMO, NCCN), and is the choice explained?
• What happens after the operation or first cycle – where will treatment continue?
• Will you receive a full discharge summary, pathology report and scans in English?

New City Clinic works with the Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol and Medical Park hospital groups and Biruni University Hospital, all with cancer services – see partner hospitals and doctors.

How the process works, step by step

1. Sharing your records. Discharge letters, pathology, scans on a disc, blood tests and a summary of previous treatment – sent securely, not through a public web form.
2. Review and written plan. An oncologist or surgeon reviews the records. You receive a written plan: which tests are needed, which treatment is proposed, how long it takes and what it includes.
3. Travel. Airport pick-up, a hotel near the hospital, and a meeting with your coordinator and interpreter.
4. Tests and tumour board. Tests are repeated or completed if needed, and the case is discussed by the tumour board.
5. Treatment. Surgery, a first cycle of drug therapy or radiotherapy, according to the plan.
6. Follow-up at home. You take full records back to your own oncologist, who continues treatment and follow-up.

What to prepare and bring

• the original pathology material (paraffin blocks and slides) if the hospital wants its own pathologist to review it;
• scans on a disc in DICOM format – CT, MRI, PET/CT, mammography;
• a list of all medicines and doses, allergies and other conditions;
• recent blood tests, including blood count and kidney and liver function;
• contact details for your oncologist at home so the two teams can communicate.

Length of stay, recovery and continuing treatment

How long you stay depends on the treatment:

• Second opinion and tests – usually a few days.
• Cancer surgery – from a few days to around two weeks in hospital, plus time for the first check-up.
• Radiotherapy – often given every weekday for several weeks; some stereotactic schedules take only a few sessions.
• Chemotherapy and immunotherapy – cycles repeat every few weeks for months.

For drug treatment, the most practical option is often to have the plan drawn up in Istanbul and continue the cycles at home – or the other way round. Agree this with both teams in advance so there are no gaps.

Risks and important warnings

Every cancer treatment has side effects – from tiredness and nausea to infections, surgical complications and immune-related reactions. Flying soon after surgery also carries a risk of blood clots; the team will tell you when it is safe to travel.

Be wary of offers of a "guaranteed cure", unapproved treatments or therapies without scientific evidence. Serious cancer centres do not promise results; they explain realistic expectations.

During chemotherapy your immunity may be weakened. Travel with a companion, carry a thermometer and a written treatment schedule, and ask the team which vaccines and precautions are right for you. If you have a central venous port or line, agree who will flush it after you return.

Insurance and reimbursement

The EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (2011/24/EU) and the S2 form apply to treatment within the EU and EEA. Türkiye is not an EU member, so these routes generally do not apply, and treatment is usually paid for by the patient or a private insurer. Ask your national health insurer and oncologist in advance whether medicines and follow-up after your return will be covered, and which documents you will need.

When to see a doctor

Do not delay seeing a doctor if you notice unexplained weight loss, a persistent cough, blood in urine or stools, a new lump in the breast or elsewhere, a changing mole or ongoing tiredness – see early detection of cancer. During treatment, contact the team immediately if you have a temperature above 38 °C, breathlessness, severe pain or bleeding.

For how treatment is organised, see Treatment in Türkiye.