Memorial Şişli Hospital
The cost of nasopharyngeal cancer treatment in Turkey varies based on the treatment plan. Initial diagnostics such as a PET-CT scan cost $700, and an MRI of the neck with contrast is $750. Chemotherapy sessions are priced at $1,300 each, while radiotherapy, which can last 25-30 sessions, costs around $6,000. Immunotherapy ranges from $4,000 to $6,000 per session. The treatment program is tailored after a comprehensive evaluation by the medical team, considering the specific needs of each patient.
| Turkey | Austria | Spain | |
| Halcyon | from $5,400 | - | - |
The doctor is a highly experienced Turkish medical oncologist specializing in sarcoma, lymphoma, pancreatic, lung cancer, and breast cancer. With over 20 years of experience, the doctor focuses on tumor biology, tumor immunology, cancer immunotherapy, and targeted therapies. Since 2019, the doctor has been serving as a medical oncologist at Anadolu Medical Center and previously held leadership roles at Istanbul Okan University Faculty of Medicine and GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital. The doctor has authored over 40 publications in cancer research and is a member of the Turkish Medical Oncology Association and the European Head and Neck Society.
Dr. Tanrikulu ranks among Turkey's top oncologists, specializing in medical oncology and chemotherapy at Anadolu Medical Center.
Dr. Solak specializes in head and neck cancers, with fellowship training at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute.
Prof. Dr. M. Emre Üstündağ is a Professor of Otorhinolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze. He has been a professor at Kocaeli University since 2006. He completed his MD and ENT residency at Istanbul University between 1983 and 1995. He has worked at Istanbul and Kocaeli universities and at Acıbadem hospitals. He has also maintained a private practice since 2006.
Clinical focus: head and neck oncology and surgery; rhinology and rhinoplasty; laryngology; septoplasty; sleep apnea surgery.
He completed international training in Ireland (Ardkeen). In Germany, he trained in Tübingen; Freiburg (otology, 4 months); and Regensburg (rhinology, 4 months). In the USA, he trained at Stanford in laryngology and sleep apnea (4 months). He has 47 international articles and 788 citations (Google Scholar, Jan 2026). He is a member of the Turkish ORL-HNS, the Istanbul University ENT Association, and the German ORL-HNS.
Leading nasopharyngeal cancer specialists in Turkey include Prof. Dr. Bulent Karagoz and Dr. Mustafa Solak. These experts hold international fellowships from centers like MD Anderson. They use advanced immunotherapy and precision radiation to treat tumors located behind the nose and throat.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkey stands out because specialists often hold dual certifications in ENT surgery and oncology. This combination is vital for nasopharyngeal cases due to the complex anatomy near the skull. Patients can find doctors with 30+ years of experience in Istanbul and Ankara.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention how clearly doctors explain the targeted radiation process for throat-area tumors. They felt relieved when translators handled all hospital communication, making the complex treatment steps easier.
When choosing a specialist in Turkey, prioritize board-certified oncology experts with 20+ years of experience. Look for doctors who hold fellowships from major international centers, ensuring they use modern global standards. These experts should specialize in head and neck cancers to manage complex nasopharyngeal cases effectively.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-rated Turkish oncologists often hold dual memberships in European and American societies. This matters because they follow international protocols, offering the same treatments found in the USA. Focusing on doctors at JCI-accredited hospitals ensures they meet high safety standards for complex radiation delivery.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention feeling surprised by how quickly doctors coordinate various tests and specialists. They appreciate having translators provided by the hospital, which makes discussing complex treatment plans much easier.
A consultation with a nasopharyngeal cancer specialist in Turkey typically costs from around Price on request to Price on request . These fees cover a review by board-certified oncologists at JCI-accredited centers. Many specialists hold fellowships from top European or American hospitals, which brings research-backed methods to your care plan.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many choose based on the initial fee, check for multidisciplinary tumor boards. Centers like Anadolu Medical Center or Memorial Sisli use these boards to gather several experts. This means you get a combined opinion from surgeons and radiotherapists for one single consultation fee.
Patient Consensus: Patients often notice that specialists explain the treatment plan in very simple terms. One patient mentioned feeling relieved when the doctor used a translator to explain complex nasal anatomy.
Turkish nasopharyngeal cancer doctors offer remote second opinions through video consultations and written medical reviews. Specialists at centers like Anadolu Medical Center and Memorial Hospitals Group evaluate patient records before travel. This process confirms the diagnosis and provides a preliminary plan for treating throat tumors.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish oncologists often coordinate with international partners like Johns Hopkins to validate treatment protocols. This means your remote second opinion leverages global research standards without requiring an immediate trip. Many patients use these reports to compare surgical versus radiation approaches for nasopharyngeal cases.
Patient Consensus: Patients were relieved to get a video call before flying. Having a doctor explain the scan results in plain English made the upcoming journey feel much safer.
Your care team in Turkey typically includes radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and ENT specialists. These experts work together to manage radiation, chemotherapy, and specialized head and neck surgeries. High-ranking clinics often hold JCI accreditation, which is a global gold standard for hospital safety.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Top specialists in Turkey often hold memberships in the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). This connection helps them use the latest international treatment protocols for nasopharyngeal cases. Many senior Turkish specialists have 20+ years of experience and train in US or European hospitals.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention how well the different departments coordinate their care. Many were relieved to find specialists who explained the side effects of radiation very clearly. They also appreciated having dedicated teams to help with speech and nutrition during recovery.
Turkish oncologists specialize in combined IMRT and chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer. National data from 22 centers shows high expertise in IMRT, with 91.8% locoregional control. Specialists use Simultaneous Integrated Boost (SIB) to target tumors while protecting healthy mouth and neck tissues.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish specialists often practice in multidisciplinary teams across 13 university and 9 major hospitals. This high-volume academic environment means oncologists frequently manage complex cases together. This teamwork helps them fine-tune radiation doses and cisplatin cycles more effectively for individual needs.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention how doctors carefully explain the importance of finishing the full chemotherapy course. Many felt supported by teams who monitored their side effects daily to prevent early treatment breaks.
Healthcare is the key development sector of the Turkish government. The Turkish authorities are convinced that care for the citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy and spend about 77 billion liras for healthcare annually.
As a result, 28,000 medical facilities provide excellent medical care in the country. About 50 centers have certificate of JCI (Joint Commission International), the international improver of healthcare quality and safety across the globe. The index of certificates obtained is the largest. To compare, Israel has 20 JCI-accredited facilities, and Germany — only 10 clinics of this type.
| Currency | lira (you also can pay for services in dollars and euros) |
| Best period for the trip | May-October |
| Language | Turkish (most of medical staff speaks English fluently) |
| Visa | is not required for a trip of at least 30 days per visit |
| Time difference with Europe | 3 hours |
| Time difference with the USA | 8 hours |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Medical tourism center | Istanbul |
| Popular resorts | Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Marmaris |
In Turkey, hotels of different price ranges and service levels are presented. The level of Turkish hotels is comparable to hotels in Tunisia, Morocco or Egypt. Most tourists choose 4 and 5 star hotels with all-inclusive meals. Such hotels have everything for a comfortable stay: varied food, a large well-groomed territory, animation for children and adults. Some hotels have their own water park, which guests can use for free. Budget travelers can afford to book an economical 3-star hotel with half board or no meals at all.
The main advantage of Turkish resorts is the long beach season. On the Mediterranean coast, it starts in April and lasts until November. In the resorts of the Aegean Sea — from May to October. The most comfortable time for swimming is from mid-June to the end of October. A large influx of tourists is in July-August, when the air temperature is +38°C, and the water warms up to +27°C.
In 2020, the Republic of Turkey has visa-free agreements with 89 states. Some foreigners are exempted from obtaining entry visas, others are required to receive an electronic visa (e-Visa), and still others must apply for a visa at Turkish missions abroad.
What states need a visa for treatment in Turkey and what countries can cross the border free and easy read here.
Visas for travel to Turkey require a number of documents. The necessary papers can be submitted 90 days before the planned departure. Lists of documents includes: