San Donato Hospital
Oncology treatment in Italy typically costs between $21,200 and $73,500. Final expenses depend on the cancer type, required surgical intervention, and the number of chemotherapy or radiotherapy cycles needed. International patients often save 30-50% compared to typical costs for similar private medical care in the US.
Typical Oncology Costs in Italy
Major medical centers are concentrated in Milan and Rome, which serve as the primary hubs for advanced cancer research. While pricing remains relatively consistent across private facilities, consulting with a specialist can help determine the specific costs for your treatment plan.
| Italy | Turkey | Austria | |
| Thyroid resection | from $8,000 | from $3,500 | from $10,000 |
| Stomach cancer surgery | from $22,000 | from $12,000 | from $30,000 |
| Removal of spinal cord tumor | from $32,000 | from $9,650 | from $50,000 |
| Removal of liver cancer | from $40,000 | from $10,800 | from $40,000 |
| Removal of colon cancer | from $17,000 | from $14,400 | from $20,000 |
No hidden fees – just official clinic prices. Pay at the clinic for Oncology treatment upon arrival and use a flexible installment plan if needed.
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Over 3,600 pancreatic surgeries performed – Professor Falconi specializes in organ-preserving techniques at San Raffaele Hospital.
Performed a pioneering fetal spina bifida surgery in 2019 – Professor Mortini leads the Experimental Neurosurgery Unit at San Raffaele.
Over 5,000 breast cancer surgeries performed – Dr. Gentilini leads the Breast Unit at San Raffaele Hospital, specializing in breast-conserving techniques.
500+ successful GERD surgeries using minimally invasive techniques – Dr. Braun specializes in laparoscopic gastrointestinal procedures at Maria Cecilia Hospital.
Written by Anna Leonova
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Written by Anna Shchur
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Written by Kateryna Zamkovska
Oncology care in Italy is exceptionally safe and integrates the latest medical advancements. Italian research hospitals, such as San Raffaele, hold IRCCS accreditation from the Ministry of Health. This status confirms they provide advanced clinical care alongside high-impact scientific research for international patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian centers of excellence often consolidate research and treatment in one location. At San Raffaele, oncology groups run 100+ clinical trials simultaneously. This gives patients access to emerging immunotherapies and targeted protocols not yet available in smaller regional hospitals or public clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that choosing private institutions in Milan ensures faster access and English-speaking staff. They emphasize that while medical results match top global standards, coordinating paperwork through international departments is essential for a smooth experience.
Italian oncologists complete a 6-year medical degree followed by a competitive 5-year residency. They must pass national board exams to practice. Many experts, like Dr. Oreste Gentilini at San Raffaele, hold international fellowships from prestigious institutions like NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. This ensures global standard care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian oncology experts often hold dual leadership roles in clinical practice and international research groups. For example, Dr. Oreste Gentilini at San Raffaele is both a surgery head and Vice President of EU-BREAST. This dual focus ensures patients receive treatments based on the newest clinical trial data before they become common practice elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that doctors in Milan demonstrate high professionalism and handle complex paperwork efficiently. While most experts speak English, having a translator helps ensure every medical detail is clearly understood during consultations.
Italian oncology centers routinely provide Da Vinci robotic systems, PET-MRI hybrid staging, and advanced radiotherapy like Tomotherapy. Facilities such as San Raffaele in Milan integrate research with clinical care. These institutions offer specialized treatments including HIPEC, CAR-T protocols, and neuronavigation for complex tumor resections.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from high-volume centers like San Raffaele shows a clear advantage in combining research with surgery. For instance, Prof. Massimo Falconi has performed 3,600+ pancreatic procedures. This massive volume allows these centers to maintain dedicated PET-MRI protocols that are often unavailable in smaller regional hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while advanced options like robotic surgery are common in northern hubs, traveling to these cities is necessary for the best equipment. They emphasize that navigating these specialized centers is faster when focusing on JCI-accredited facilities in Milan or Rome.
Patients typically require 1 to 4 weeks in Italy for a complete oncology diagnosis and their first treatment cycle. High-volume research centers like San Raffaele Hospital often provide faster pathways. Diagnostic results and specialized consultations are frequently completed within 48 to 72 hours for international cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from San Raffaele, which performs 52,000+ annual operations, shows that patients who bring original PET/CT or PET-MRI scans significantly reduce their stay. Providing high-quality imaging upfront allows doctors like Dr. Oreste Gentilini to skip repeat diagnostics, often cutting the initial trip by 5 to 7 days.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that staying within walking distance of the clinic is vital for managing the first cycle's follow-ups. Many suggest having all medical reports translated into Italian beforehand to avoid administrative delays that could extend the stay by a week.
Italian oncology centers like San Raffaele provide dedicated international departments to support foreign patients. These departments offer language assistance and translation services to bridge communication gaps during consultations. Specialized packages for breast cancer or neuroendocrine tumors often include VIP transfers and follow-up recommendations for continuous care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that Milan's research hospitals, like San Raffaele, manage over 52,000 operations annually. This high volume allows them to maintain specialized international teams that handle diagnostic results within 24 hours. Patients booking through these centers often save on local costs by using integrated packages that include nearby hotel stays.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that professional translators are essential for understanding complex medical results. While some suggest using mobile apps for daily needs, they emphasize hiring experts for medical consultations to avoid any miscommunication about treatment side effects.
Italy is a major European oncology hub offering approved immunotherapies like Keytruda and surgical techniques. Leading centres such as San Raffaele use robotic systems and linear accelerators for high-precision tumour treatment. Facilities hold IRCCS accreditation, marking them as national institutes for cancer research and clinical excellence.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Italian oncology excellence is concentrated in IRCCS-accredited research hospitals like San Raffaele. These centres integrate clinical trials directly into patient care. For example, doctors there often hold patents for drug combinations and lead international studies. This gives patients access to therapies before they become standard elsewhere.
Patient Consensus: Patients highlight the high level of professionalism and the speed of diagnostics in Milan. They note that having an interpreter present makes complex medical consultations much easier to navigate.
Italy hosts some of Europe's premier cancer centres, mostly in Milan and Rome. They are known for high-precision radiotherapy and robotic surgery. Facilities like San Raffaele treat over 12,000 cancer patients annually. These institutions provide multidisciplinary tumour boards and English-speaking specialists for international travellers with complex cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Clinical volume is the strongest quality signal in Italy. San Raffaele and San Donato together handle over 600,000 patients annually. This volume allows specialists, such as Dr Pietro Mortini, to refine techniques. Small private clinics rarely perform these specialised procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Italy appreciate the seamless coordination. They find that interpreters help them navigate appointments without queues or stress. Those visiting Milan often note that quick diagnostic turnarounds saved them money on hotel stays.
Italian oncology specialists provide remote second opinions through telemedicine portals at major research hospitals. Expert oncologists, such as Dr Bianchini Giampaolo at San Raffaele, review diagnostic files and pathology reports virtually. This service helps patients confirm diagnoses or explore new treatment plans before travelling for care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that research hospitals with IRCCS accreditation often provide faster access to opinions. San Raffaele is one such facility. These centres handle over 50,000 operations annually. Their international departments manage digital file transfers more efficiently than smaller private clinics.
Patient Consensus: Patients find the process well organised and appreciate that doctors answer all questions patiently. Many note that having an interpreter helps during consultations. Receiving a formal report provides confidence in their local treatment plan in Italy.