Patient Profile:
- Name: Niculcea
- Age: 62
- From: Romania
- Destination: Istanbul, Turkey
- Procedure: Lutetium-177 therapy
- Clinic: Memorial Şişli Hospital
Cancer treatment is an emotional and physically demanding journey. With countless cancer patient stories, particularly cancer survivors stories shared globally, the importance of choosing a trusted facility with high success rates cannot be overstated. Looking for deeply personal prostate cancer stories, patients are seeking examples of reliable, effective, and compassionate care that aligns with their medical needs and financial constraints.
Exploring cancer diagnosis stories or reading blogs of cancer patients can provide vital insights and emotional support for those navigating their cancer journey. Each patient’s story is unique, and finding the right treatment plan is key to overcoming the hurdles of this challenging path.
Table of Contents
The Journey to Finding Lutetium-177 Therapy
Niculcea’s cancer treatment journey had been a long and trying one. His diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer roughly 3 years ago marked the beginning of an ongoing battle, as PSA levels continued to rise despite treatments. By the time hormone therapy for prostate cancer stopped working, Niculcea was ready to seek a new approach.
When the idea of Lutetium-177 therapy emerged, it offered a new glimmer of hope. The therapy was different from what he had tried before and promised a more targeted approach. As a cancer survivor, Niculcea felt that this could be his chance for a real breakthrough.
“After a long treatment journey, we were searching for new options — effective, clear, and reliable.”
Why Niculcea Chose Memorial Şişli Hospital
After reaching out to Bookimed, Niculcea explored several treatment options, including those in Austria and Turkey. Ultimately, Bookimed’s team helped him choose Memorial Şişli Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, a leading medical center known for its prostate cancer treatment success stories.
For Niculcea, Memorial Şişli’s reputation in oncology and its extensive experience with Lutetium-177 therapy were reassuring. It wasn’t just about the treatment; it was about feeling safe, supported, and confident that he was in the right hands.
“Bookimed made everything easier: they helped us choose Memorial Şişli Hospital, arranged the process, and supported us through the first Lutetium session.”
Memorial Şişli Hospital is a renowned private medical center in Istanbul, Turkey, specializing in oncology, organ transplants, neurosurgery, and more. Established in 2000, it is internationally accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) and ISO 15189. The hospital treats over 1.6 million patients annually, with a strong focus on advanced technology, such as TrueBeam STx radiotherapy and Da Vinci robotic surgery.
Lutetium-177 therapy is a targeted radionuclide treatment for prostate cancer available at Memorial Şişli Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. One course may cost around $6,500 USD, performed by Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Türkmen with 28 years of experience of specialized experience in nuclear medicine.
About the Treatment
Lutetium-177 therapy targets PSMA-positive prostate cancer metastases. It delivers radiation directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Patients typically undergo 4-6 courses spaced 6-8 weeks apart.
What's Included
- One course of Lutetium-177 therapy
- 1 day hospitalization in nuclear medicine department
- Pre-treatment consultation
Doctor Profile
Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Türkmen has performed over 1,100 nuclear medicine procedures. He specializes in oncology applications of radionuclide therapy. As a European Association of Nuclear Medicine member, he stays current with international protocols.
Diagnostic Requirements
Patients first undergo Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT imaging ($1,700 USD) to confirm treatment eligibility. This scan determines if cancer cells express the PSMA protein target.
Hospital Features
The JCI-accredited Memorial Şişli Hospital maintains a 4.6 patient rating. Its nuclear medicine department follows international safety standards for radioisotope treatments.
To explore this treatment option, patients can request a consultation with Prof. Türkmen's team.
Hospital certificates and accreditation of quality
Latest review
| Lutetium-177 therapy | $6250 - $6500 |
Meet the Doctor: Prof. Dr. Cuneyt Turkmen
At Memorial Şişli Hospital, Prof. Dr. Cuneyt Turkmen was the expert guiding Niculcea through the Lutetium-177 therapy journey. With over 30 years of experience in nuclear medicine, Dr. Turkmen is one of the top specialists in targeted radionuclide therapy for various cancers, including prostate cancer.
His knowledge and skill in the field are reflected in the cancer survivor success stories of his past patients on the website.
Lutetium-177 Therapy Plan and What to Expect
The first step in Niculcea’s treatment was a PSMA PET scan to ensure the therapy was targeted accurately to his condition. Based on his scan results, Prof. Dr. Turkmen recommended Lutetium-177 therapy to target the metastases in his prostate. The treatment plan included four cycles of therapy, each spaced six weeks apart.
Here’s a glimpse of what the plan involved:
Consultation with Prof. Dr. Cuneyt Turkmen to review medical history and discuss the treatment approach.
PSMA PET scan to fine-tune the therapy based on precise imaging.
Lutetium-177 therapy sessions are divided into four cycles to effectively target cancer cells.
Comprehensive follow-ups to monitor progress, including blood tests and additional imaging as needed.
“Now we’re just resting. The doctors did a follow-up CT, explained everything, and we’re heading home with peace of mind.”
Treatment and Emotional Support
When Niculcea arrived at Memorial Şişli Hospital, the process was smooth, and the hospital team provided excellent emotional support during the Lutetium-177 therapy. Though the journey felt daunting, Niculcea felt reassured by the compassionate care he received.
Lutetium-177 therapy was administered with care, and the team at Memorial Şişli ensured that every step was followed with precision. After his first treatment session, Niculcea felt confident and supported, knowing that he was receiving cutting-edge care.
“In two weeks, we’ll send blood tests and discuss the next session.”
Lutetium-177 Therapy Results: Hope for the Future
Though Niculcea’s treatment is ongoing, the follow-up CT scans are giving him hope for the future. The Lutetium-177 therapy is showing signs of effectiveness, and Niculcea remains optimistic. As a cancer survivor, he knows that every step forward is a victory, and the results of the therapy continue to bring hope for a brighter future.
“It’s a tough path — but we’re not walking it alone. And that means everything.”
Why Niculcea Recommends Bookimed
For Niculcea, Bookimed was more than just a medical platform—it was a partner. From the moment he reached out, Bookimed provided personalized recommendations, connected him with the right clinic, and made sure every step of his journey was supported. Many patients turn to cancer miracle stories like this one for hope and inspiration during their treatment journey. Bookimed is also ready to offer them free help.
“Huge thanks to Bookimed and my lovely Turkish host for all the support.”
With Bookimed, Niculcea received:
💚 Personalized assistance in choosing the best treatment options for prostate cancer.
💚 Seamless coordination for travel, appointments, and communication.
💚 Expert recommendations and access to top-rated clinics like Memorial Şişli Hospital.
💚 Ongoing support throughout the treatment process, from start to finish.
If you’re looking for a reliable partner in your cancer treatment journey, Bookimed can connect you to trusted, world-class clinics like Memorial Şişli Hospital.
All medical content on this page is prepared by authors with specialized medical education and reviewed by certified physicians in the relevant field. Medical review by Yesim Yildirim, Clinical oncologist.
Last updated: June, 2026.
- Statistics: Figures are based on Bookimed’s internal database June 2026, which includes analysis of 12,450 patient requests across 1 accredited clinics in Turkey.
- Pricing: Cost information is provided directly by Bookimed’s partner clinics and updated regularly to reflect current 2026 market conditions. Actual expenses may differ depending on case complexity, surgeon expertise, and clinic location.
- Clinical Data: Treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction figures are collected from Bookimed’s verified clinic database and supported by data from peer-reviewed medical sources such as PubMed, The Lancet, JAMA, and NEJM (2023–2026).
All data is provided for general informational purposes and may not represent individual results or experiences.