Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in Turkey

What is Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in Turkey?

Breast cancer, characterised by abnormal growth of breast cells, is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in Turkey, as elsewhere around the world. 

When considering breast cancer surgery, there is great variation in how surgery is being practised in Turkey, with the rate of surgery increasing by 20% in the year 2018 from the last decade.

The cost of breast cancer treatment in Turkey ranges between $ 6500 and $ 8000. This includes the cost of surgery, anaesthesia, operating room, medical supplies, and the necessary hospital stays for a specific duration.

What is Breast Cancer and its Symptoms?

Breast cancer, a medical condition where breast cells start growing at abnormal rates is often characterised by a mass or lump-like structure. These cancerous cells can also invade nearby healthy breast tissues and, in some cases, spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain.

Some common symptoms of breast cancer are listed below.

• A lump around the breast and underarm area
• Sudden changes in breast size, shape, or appearance
• Swelling or thickening in part of the breast
• Redness on the breast or nipple
• Piercing pain in the breast or nipple area
• Nipple discharge such as blood, cells etc.

What are the Types of Breast Cancer?

Based on the cells or tissues where the cancer originates, the types of breast cancer include:

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS)

It is a non-invasive form where abnormal cells are found within the lining of a breast duct but have not spread outside that area.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC)

It is the most prevalent form, where cancer cells spread from the duct to surrounding breast tissue.

Triple-negative breast cancer

A challenging subtype that lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors.

HER2-positive breast cancer

It is characterised by an excess of the HER2 protein, which can accelerate cancer growth.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)

This type of cancer begins in the breast’s milk-producing glands but does not spread to surrounding tissues.

What are the Types of Breast Cancer Treatment in Turkey?

When you are diagnosed with breast cancer, understanding the various treatment options available becomes crucial, especially when seeking care internationally. To treat breast cancer, doctors perform the following surgeries:

Lumpectomy

This procedure focuses on removing the tumour along with a small border of healthy tissue around it. It’s designed to keep as much of the breast as possible intact.

Modified Radical Mastectomy

In this surgery, the entire breast with the tumour is removed, along with some of the lymph nodes under the arm, without removing the chest muscles.

Breast Conservation Surgery

This approach removes the tumour and a small amount of surrounding tissue, aiming to conserve the rest of the breast. Cosmetic techniques are often applied to reshape and enhance the appearance of the breast post-surgery.

Mastectomy with Reconstruction

This involves removing the affected breast and then reconstructing it using either implants or tissue from another part of the body, helping to restore the breast’s natural shape.

Reconstructive Surgery

This is a separate procedure performed after a mastectomy to rebuild the breast’s appearance, using implants or tissue from another area of the body to create a natural look and feel.

Since breast cancer surgery is a comprehensive approach, hence, along with surgery, patients might need additional treatments, such as:

Chemotherapy

It involves the use of powerful drugs designed to kill cancer cells or halt their growth. Typically, it’s given in cycles with breaks in between, allowing the body time to recover.

Hormone therapy

It targets cancers that are sensitive to hormones, like certain types of breast and prostate cancers. By either blocking or reducing hormone levels, it helps to slow or stop the cancer from growing.

Radiation therapy

It uses high-energy rays or particles to directly target and destroy cancer cells in a specific area of the breast. It’s commonly used after surgery to completely eliminate any remaining cancer cells.

CCRT, or concurrent chemoradiotherapy

By combining chemotherapy and radiation therapy at the same time, this approach is often used to enhance the effectiveness of radiation in killing cancer cells.

What are the Factors Affecting Breast Cancer Treatment Costs in Turkey?

The cost of breast cancer treatment in Turkey depends on the type and complexity of the treatment chosen. Generally, personalised and combined approaches for advanced or aggressive cancer types will increase treatment expenses compared to single-modality approaches.

Type of breast cancer treatment in Turkey

The costs of different types of breast cancer treatments in Turkey are listed below.

Diagnostic Tests both before and after the treatment

Prior to treatment, diagnostic procedures such as mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy are essential for accurately determining the cancer’s type, stage, and spread, helping oncologists tailor an effective treatment plan. After treatment, regular imaging and tumour marker tests may be required for months or even years post-treatment, adding to cumulative costs over time. 

Hospital Choice and Surgeon’s Expertise

The hospitals in Turkey equipped with advanced facilities for breast cancer treatment tend to be more expensive. Also, surgeons with extensive experience and specialised surgical skills, such as minimal invasive approach or robotic surgery, with a good record of successful outcomes, may charge higher fees for their services.

Breast Cancer Treatment Cost in Turkey Vs. Other Countries

What are the Pre and Post-Treatment Costs for Breast Cancer in Turkey?

In addition to the actual treatment costs, there are several other expenses associated with breast cancer treatment in Turkey. These include:

• Pre-treatment Expenses (Diagnostic tests such as blood tests, mammograms, biopsies, blocks, PET CT and IHC (ER/PR/Her2neu): $ 800 to $ 1000
• Post-treatment Expenses (Pain relief medications, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and counselling): $ 500 to $ 900

How to Recover After Breast Cancer Treatment?

Recovering after breast cancer surgery is a journey that involves both physical and emotional care.

You can recover after breast cancer treatment with the help of the following measures.

• Right after surgery, take proper rest and a good amount of sleep.Take prescribed medication  on time to manage pain and discomfort.
• If you have undergone surgery, keep the surgical site clean and dry.  You should immediately report any signs of infection—such as redness, warmth, or unusual drainage.
• With a balanced diet , it is easier to recover and perform daily activities.  For a customised diet plan, you can also consult a dietitian to ensure smoother recovery.
• You should attend your follow-up consultations regularly so that your doctor can closely monitor the recovery progress, detect the early signs of complications, and discuss any chances of recurrence.
• Since recovery after breast cancer surgery can be emotionally challenging, it’s normal to experience a mix of emotions, from relief to sadness or anxiety. Connecting with counsellors, or breast cancer survivors can help you process these feelings.