The total cost of medulloblastoma treatment in Turkey varies based on the individual treatment plan. An initial consultation with a pediatric oncologist is approximately $140, while a consultation with a radiation oncologist is around $120. The treatment plan may include chemotherapy sessions, with the first course priced at $1,500 and subsequent courses at $950 each. Radiotherapy using the IMRT method for 30 fractions is approximately $6,500. Additional costs may include diagnostic packages at $1,500. The final treatment program is determined after a detailed assessment of each patient.
| 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 |
| Craniotomy | from $5,650 | from $20,000 | from $25,000 |
| Chemotherapy for breast cancer | from $1,200 | from $15,000 | from $3,500 |
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. Eda Tanrikulu specializes in medical oncology and chemotherapy at Anadolu Medical Center, with extensive training and experience in cancer treatment.
Dr. Mustafa Solak is a specialist in breast and gastrointestinal cancers with advanced training from Hacettepe University and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hilmi Kaya is a professor of neurosurgery at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze, Turkey. He earned his MD from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa (English program). He completed his neurosurgery residency there from 1996 to 2003. He became a professor in 2015. He also completed observerships at Maastricht University in 2007 and 2009.
His clinical focus includes functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, including deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. He also treats spinal tumors and spinal stenosis and performs spinal instrumentation. He manages skull base and brain tumors. He performs vascular surgery of the central nervous system.
Achievements include leading a Parkinson’s research project at Ondokuz Mayıs University (BAP, Project No. T.597, 2008). He supervised a neurosurgery thesis in 2008. His awards include third place at the 2nd National Congress of the Society of Neurosurgery in 2006, the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Overseas Scholarship in 2008, and the Aysima Altınok Thesis Award in 2009. Several of his papers ranked at the 22nd and 23rd Turkish Neurosurgical Society Scientific Congresses in 2008 and 2009. He is a member of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society and the Turkish Medical Association.
Medulloblastoma is a fast-growing brain tumor that forms in the cerebellum at the skull base. In Turkey, a neurosurgeon usually performs surgery first to remove it. A neuro-oncologist then leads the team to manage chemotherapy and radiation for specialized care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Leading specialists in Turkey often hold memberships in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies. Many doctors have 20+ years of experience and train at centers in the US. This international background helps them use the latest global protocols for pediatric brain tumors.
Patient Consensus: Patients are often relieved by how quickly Turkish specialists explain the surgery and recovery. They appreciate that translators help them understand every step of the complex treatment plan.
Verify a Turkish medulloblastoma specialist by confirming board certification in pediatric neurosurgery or oncology. Top doctors usually hold memberships in the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS). They must also work in hospitals with the International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate to treat foreign patients.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Specialists in Turkey often gain expertise at university hospitals before moving to private centers. Doctors at Anadolu Medical Center follow protocols from Johns Hopkins. This link means patients receive care based on American standards in a Turkish setting.
Patient Consensus: Patients often mention their doctors explained every step of the brain surgery clearly. Reliable specialists review all imaging personally and coordinate closely with the rehabilitation and nursing teams.
During a consultation for medulloblastoma, ask about molecular testing to identify the tumor subtype. This helps specialists choose the best therapy. In Turkey, experts like Dr. Selcuk Gocmen at Anadolu Medical Center use neuronavigation for safer surgery. This technology helps protect healthy brain tissue during tumor removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish specialists often coordinate through a tumor board. This is a group of various doctors who review complex cases together. Researching whether a doctor like Dr. Selcuk Gocmen works with such a team ensures several experts review your child's data.
Patient Consensus: Patients often feel relieved when doctors explain the MRI results in simple language. They notice that having a dedicated coordinator handles all paperwork, so they can focus entirely on recovery.
Medulloblastoma surgery in Turkey costs around $5,700 to $30,000 for international patients. This covers the craniotomy, which is a way to access and remove the brain tumor. Most packages also include several days in the intensive care unit and hospital stays.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patients can find specialized pediatric care at centers like Memorial Sisli or Memorial Ankara. These hospitals combine neurosurgery with pediatric oncology under one roof. This team approach is vital for medulloblastoma because surgery is often followed by other treatments.
Patient Consensus: Families often mention how relieved they were to have professional coordinators handle hospital logistics. They noticed that surgeons explained the procedure clearly, which helped lower their anxiety during the stay. Many patients were surprised by how quickly they received appointments compared to their home countries.
A second opinion for medulloblastoma in Turkey is essential to confirm the diagnosis. Specialized neuropathologists must review imaging and tissue samples. This ensures the tumor stage is accurate. Getting a second review often leads to more precise radiation and chemotherapy plans for children and adults.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Top neuro-oncology specialists in Turkey often hold international fellowships. For example, Dr. Alp Ozkan at Anadolu Medical Center and Dr. Betul Tavil at Memorial Sisli have 20+ years of experience. This global training means they can apply the latest research to complex cases.
Patient Consensus: Parents felt much more confident after hearing two identical treatment plans. They noticed that seeing a second expert helped them understand exactly why a specific chemotherapy was chosen.
Patients typically start medulloblastoma treatment within three to five days after arriving in Turkey. Specialists complete diagnostic reviews in 48 hours. This efficiency is vital because medulloblastoma is a fast-growing brain tumor that requires immediate surgical or therapeutic intervention.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Centers in Istanbul often provide multidisciplinary teams that review pediatric cases before arrival. This allows doctors to finalize surgical plans faster than general oncology departments. Patients should expect a stay of 6 weeks to 6 months for complete care.
Patient Consensus: Families were surprised that hospitals arranged airport pickups and transfers directly to medical consultations. They felt relieved when doctors reviewed their child's scans and scheduled surgery within just 48 hours.
Turkish medulloblastoma specialists speak English fluently and provide translators. Most completed fellowships in the US or UK, so they lead consultations in English. Bookimed handles all logistics and medical translation. This ensures clear communication about complex brain tumor treatments and recovery steps.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Specialists at Anadolu Medical Center maintain a direct link with Johns Hopkins. This partnership requires doctors to follow specific English-language protocols. Patients benefit because their cases are reviewed using international academic standards. Bookimed coordinators manage these translations so you never handle technical paperwork alone.
Patient Consensus: Parents felt relieved that specialists explained the surgery steps in clear English. One family noted that while floor nurses used translation apps, the main doctor spoke perfectly. This made them feel much safer during their child's intensive care.
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: