Memorial Şişli Hospital
Memorial Şişli Hospital
Turkey, Istanbul
Betul Tavil
29 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
The cost of glioma treatment in Turkey varies depending on the treatment plan and facility. A consultation with a neuro-oncologist is approximately $140, while an MRI of the brain costs around $550. Radiotherapy, consisting of 30 fractions, is approximately $8,500. Additionally, the use of medication is about $1,100. For surgical intervention, such as brain tumor resection with neuronavigation and an ultrasonic aspirator, the cost is approximately $17,000. The treatment plan is personalized after a thorough evaluation by a medical professional.
| Turkey | Austria | Spain | |
| Stereotaxic radiosurgery | from $4,500 | from $17,000 | from $12,000 |
| Radiation therapy for colorectal cancer | from $7,000 | from $12,000 | from $10,000 |
| Gamma Knife | from $6,300 | from $32,000 | from $18,000 |
| Craniotomy | from $5,650 | from $20,000 | from $25,000 |
| Chemotherapy for breast cancer | from $1,200 | from $15,000 | from $3,500 |
Dr. Eda Tanrikulu specializes in medical oncology and chemotherapy, with a strong focus on glioma treatment at Anadolu Medical Center.
Dr. Mustafa Solak specializes in complex cancers at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental, with fellowship training at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute.
Dr. Banu Atalar is a board-certified radiation oncologist (Türkiye, 2004). She is a Full Professor at Acibadem MAA University (2018–present) and a clinician at Anadolu Medical Center (2026–present). She trained at Istanbul and Cerrahpaşa. In 2011, she completed a Stanford clinical research fellowship in stereotactic radiosurgery. Her practice focuses on CNS, thoracic, and GI tumors. About 75% of her care involves SRS and MR‑guided adaptive SRS.
Her honors include the ASCO IDEA award (2004), the IASLC International Mentorship Award (2018), and H.FACR (2025). She has 72 international peer‑reviewed publications. Her leadership roles include President of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (2025–27) and Chair of the ESTRO National Societies Committee (2024–27). She served on the ASCO Resource‑Stratified Guidelines Committee (2013–18) and on RSS meeting and nomination committees. She organized national congresses (2023, 2025) and has been an invited speaker at major meetings.
Prof. Hüseyin Baloğlu is a pathology specialist at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey. He focuses on molecular pathology, surgical pathology, and tumour biopsy and diagnostics.
Education and accreditations: MD, GATA Medical School (1986). Pathology specialty training, GATA (1992). Associate Professor (Doçent), GATA (2004). Visiting scholar at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (New York) and Heidelberg University.
Achievements: author of over 600 peer‑reviewed publications. Holds a patent in molecular diagnostics for thyroid cancer. Leads liquid biopsy and precision oncology services.
Identify the best neurosurgeons by looking for those with 20+ years of experience in neuro-oncology. Top Turkish specialists like Dr. Nejat Akalan or Dr. Mustafa Hakan Kayali have performed thousands of microsurgeries. They use intraoperative MRI to remove tumors safely while protecting brain function.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top-rated neurosurgeons in Istanbul often work in oncology-focused multidisciplinary teams. For example, Dr. Nejat Akalan has a 4.8 rating from 40+ international patients. Choosing a specialist at a university hospital gives you access to the latest clinical research.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention feeling relieved after seeing how clearly specialists explain the surgery plan. Many describe the precision of the hospital technology as a key factor in their comfort.
Turkish glioma specialists use neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI to remove brain tumors with millimeter precision. These tools provide real-time mapping for surgeons. This technology helps protect healthy brain tissue during complex surgery. Some centers also use robotic CyberKnife for non-invasive radiation treatment.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Top Turkish neurosurgeons often combine awake craniocotomies with functional mapping at JCI-accredited centers. This approach is common when gliomas sit near speech centers. Experts like Dr. Selcuk Gocmen at Anadolu Medical Center use these methods to preserve quality of life.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention how comforting it is to see 3D images of their procedure beforehand. Those who had awake surgery said the medical team kept them calm and focused throughout.
Turkish neurosurgeons are highly experienced in awake craniotomy for gliomas. Specialists like Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital have 35+ years of experience. They use this method to remove tumors while the patient is awake to protect speech and motor skills.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Surgeons in Turkey often hold fellowships from the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). This means they follow strict international protocols for glioma surgery. Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci has over 35 years in the field. This high level of experience helps them manage tumors located in very sensitive brain regions.
Patient Consensus: Patients were relieved to find they could speak during surgery to ensure their functions remained intact. Many felt reassured by the modern equipment and the surgeon's calm explanation of the process.
Turkish hospitals manage international consultations through a structured process including remote record reviews and multispecialty boards. Specialists evaluate imaging and history before arrival to create a personalized plan. Once on-site, dedicated departments provide medical coordinators to handle all translations and scheduling logistics.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data shows that top Turkish neurosurgeons often hold international memberships, such as in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. These specialists work within JCI-accredited facilities where international departments are specifically structured to remove language barriers. This setup ensures patients receive the same clarity in Turkey as they would at home.
Patient Consensus: Many patients were relieved that coordinators handled every appointment and translation detail. They felt supported when doctors explained surgical steps clearly through a translator during the first visit.
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: