Turkey has become one of the TOP 5 medical tourism leaders. Most patients visit Turkey annually from all over the world for cancer treatment. Moderate prices in hospitals - when it comes to urgent fundraising, the difference of 40% can be decisive. In Turkey, prices are much lower, with the same level of health services as the leading countries.
Being the 9th most common cancer among women in Turkey, Cervical Cancer constitutes 2.4% of all age groups in women.
Cervical Cancer Treatment costs USD 4050 to USD 4950 in Turkey.
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What is Cervical Cancer?
The process begins in the cells lining the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. This cervix connects the upper part of the uterus, where a fetus grows, to the birth canal or vagina.
The cervix is made of the following two parts:
- The endocervix is covered with glandular cells. It is the opening of the cervix that leads into the uterus.
- The exocervix (or ectocervix), the outer part of the cervix, is covered in squamous cells.
The place where glandular and squamous cell types meet in the cervix is known as the transformation zone. Cervical Cancers typically originate from the cells found in the transformation zone. Patients with Cervical Cancer are usually asymptomatic in the early stages.
Types of Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancers can be differentiated into three types:
- Squamous cell carcinomas are cancers that develop from cells in the exocervix. They often begin in the transformation zone (where the exocervix joins the endocervix).
- Adenocarcinomas develop from glandular cells. These originate from the mucus-producing gland cells of the endocervix.
- Adenosquamous or mixed carcinomas have features of both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.
While squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas are the most common types of Cervical Cancer, the cervix can also develop other forms of cancer. These different types, such as melanoma, sarcoma, and lymphoma, occur more commonly in other body parts.
What are the Symptoms of Cervical Cancer?
Symptoms that usually begin after the cancer has spread may include:
- Watery vaginal discharge with blood or a strong odor
- Pelvic pain or pain during sex
- Heavier or more prolonged than regular periods
- Vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause
Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include the symptoms of early-stage cervical cancer and the following:
- Difficult/painful bowel movements or bleeding from the rectum when having a bowel movement
- Difficult/painful urination or blood in the urine
- Dull backache
- Swelling of the legs
- Pain in the abdomen
- Feeling tired
What are the Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer?
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
- Age during first intercourse
- Multiple sexual partners
- Smoking
- Herpes simplex
- HIV infection
- Co-infection with other genital infections
- Oral contraceptive use
What Can Be Done to Reduce the Risk of Cervical Cancer?
The primary and essential thing one can do is to get an HPV vaccination, get regular screening tests, and consult the doctor if the test results are abnormal.
HPV Vaccine -
- Recommended for preteens aged 11 to 12 but can be given starting at 9.
- Recommended for everyone below age 26 if they are not vaccinated.
- Not recommended for individuals over the age of 26.
- For individuals vaccinated before age 15, it is recommended to follow a two-dose schedule, with the doses administered 6 to 12 months apart. The vaccine is provided in three shots for people who create the series after their 15th birthday.
HPV vaccination prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing conditions or diseases. Consult your doctor before getting HPV vaccination.
Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer confined to the cervix has a reasonable success rate if treated on time. The farther the cancer cells have metastasized, the lower the success rate. Selecting a Cervical Cancer treatment option depends on the stage, size, depth of cancer invasion, and the patient's age and overall health status.
There are several standard treatment options for Cervical Cancer, which include:
Surgery
Cervical Cancer surgery can be used to remove cancer cells from their place of origin and the surrounding tissues. The common types of surgery used for Cervical Cancer treatment include:
- Cryosurgery: In this method, a freezing metal probe is placed directly on the cervix, which kills the abnormal cells by freezing them.
- Laser Surgery: In this surgery, a focused laser beam is directed through the vagina, which vaporizes abnormal cells.
- Cervical Conization: A surgical or laser knife or a thin wire heated with the help of electricity is used to remove cancerous tissue.
- Total Hysterectomy: This is a more invasive treatment for Cervical Cancer, which removes both the body of the uterus and the cervix. But structures next to the uterus, such as parametria and uterosacral ligaments, vagina, and pelvic lymph nodes, are not removed. There are different ways to conduct a hysterectomy, including:
- Abdominal Hysterectomy (abdomen incision)
- Vaginal Hysterectomy (the uterus is removed through the vagina)
- Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (keyhole surgery by laparoscopy)
- Robotic Hysterectomy (laparoscopy attached to robotic arms)
- Radical Hysterectomy: The surgeon removes the uterus along with the tissues next to the uterus. Removing the upper part of the vagina near the cervix is possible, but the ovaries and Fallopian tubes will only be removed in case of a medical emergency.
- Radical trachelectomy: The surgeon removes the upper part of the vagina and the cervix but not the body of the uterus. This surgery allows women to be treated without losing their ability to have children.
Radiation Therapy
This treatment for Cervical Cancer uses high-energy X-rays or radioactive particles to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy may be given as an external beam or as internal radiation (brachytherapy) to the pelvis. It can be used as a primary treatment or after surgery for Cervical Cancer removal. Patients are sometimes given radiation therapy with chemotherapy to reduce the risk of cancer relapse further.
Chemotherapy
This treatment makes use of anti-cancer medicines to kill cancer cells. The cytotoxic medications used in chemotherapy enter the bloodstream and reach all body areas. This makes chemotherapy treatment helpful in preventing cancer cells from dividing and growing in most parts of the body.
Cervical Cancer Treatment Methods Used in Turkey
The leading hospitals in Turkey use modern treatment technologies such as:
- TrueBeam: A linear accelerator of the latest model used to irradiate tumors. Using TrueBeam reduces the duration of treatment by half. The radiation, directed at the tumor with millimeter accuracy, minimizes the side effects. The procedure does not require anesthesia, as the radiation is painless.
- Gamma knife: It is a radio surgical unit for treating brain tumors. The irradiation accuracy of the Gamma Knife Elekta system is 0.15 mm, six times higher than the standard for existing systems. The visualization of the Cone Beam CT enhances the procedure's safety.
- Cyberknife: The world's first unit for the non-invasive treatment of tumors anywhere with high doses of radiation. The CyberKnife image management software enables ultra-precise delivery of target doses and automatic adjustment to the tumor movement.
- da Vinci Robot: A robot controlled by a doctor that performs low-impact surgeries through several cuts. The robot has a video camera and lean tools for making incisions, and its hands are not shaking. This makes it possible to perform procedures without complications. After robotic surgery, the patient quickly recovers and, in most cases, maintains the organ's functionality.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy (IORT), Trilogy (An image-guided technology), RapidArc (image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy), Modified chemotherapy, and Stem cell treatment are also in some leading hospitals.
Why Choose Turkey for Cervical Cancer Treatment?
Turkey is a top destination for medical services, whether cosmetic procedures or cancer treatment. For example, Cervical Cancer Treatment is popular in Turkey, as patients from all over the world come to Turkey for a highly successful treatment.
- International accredited hospitals: Turkey has many JCI (Joint Commission International) accredited hospitals that provide healthcare facilities of international standards.
- Shorter waiting times: The average waiting time for complicated surgical procedures is shorter in Turkey than in other Western countries.
- Best doctors: The top doctors in Turkey are highly qualified and skilled with expertise in their field.
- Cost: The average cost of medical treatment in Turkey is 50-60% less than in other Western countries such as the EU, the UK, the US, Italy, Austria, Ireland, and more.
Cost related to Cervical Cancer Treatment in Turkey
Treatment | Cost |
Cervical Cancer Treatment | USD 4050 to USD 4950 |
Chemotherapy | USD 1350 to USD 1650 |
Top Hospitals in Turkey for Cervical Cancer Treatment
- Hisar Hospital Intercontinental, Istanbul: It is amongst the largest private hospitals in Turkey. The hospital comprises more than 30 specialized departments, including Neurosurgery, Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Gynecology, Cardiology, Pediatrics, General Surgery, Urology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Reproductive Medicine, and more.
- Medical Park Group, Istanbul: The hospital is one of the world's preferred destinations for medical treatments. Doctors and specialists have gathered to form Medical Park Group for successful medical outcomes with healthcare solutions. Patients from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America entrust the hospital for their treatments.
- American Hospital, Istanbul: The Hospital treats almost 120,000 patients annually, besides the 20,000 admitted as inpatients. It is a super specialty hospital covering most departments such as Cardiology, Dermatology, ENT Surgery, Gastroenterology, and many more. It is globally known for its services in IVF.
- Anadolu Medical Center, Kocaeli, Istanbul: The hospital covers various services, including Neurological Sciences, Cardiovascular Health, Oncology, Gynecology and IVF, diagnosis, and Imaging. There are nine oncology departments, including Oncology Diagnosis, Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Hematologic Oncology, and Onco-cardiology.
- LIV Hospital, Istanbul: Major specialties of the hospital include Bariatric Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology,,, Endocrinology, ENT, Fertility Treatment, General Surgery, Imaging, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation, etc. The hospital has advanced medical technology, including Truebeam STx, DaVinci Robotic "TrueBeam" radiotherapy apparatus, Renaissance, Tele-Medicine, and individualized comprehensive cancer treatments.
To Summarize
Using traditional and innovative methods with patient education can raise awareness about the importance of prevention and early screening for Cervical Cancer. In high-risk populations, additional instruction to physicians may raise awareness, prevention, and screening among those women at risk for the highest mortality.
Turkish Oncologist use the most advanced technologies and diagnose Cervical Cancer accurately. Then, they use different types of cancer treatments to effectively cure Cervical Cancer.