The total cost of multiple sclerosis treatment in Turkey varies based on the selected treatment plan and procedures. Initial consultations start at $100, and comprehensive diagnostics can cost up to $3,000. Stem cell therapy is priced at $8,000, and a comprehensive rehabilitation program, including robotic therapy, costs between $58,500 and $75,000. Tysabri treatment is offered at $3,600, and a 30-day outpatient physical therapy package is $12,000. The treatment plan is finalized after an individual assessment by a medical professional.
| Turkey | Austria | Spain | |
| Plasmapheresis | from $1,200 | from $2,000 | from $1,800 |
| Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) | from $10,000 | from $35,000 | from $25,000 |
| Multiple sclerosis rehabilitation | from $3,000 | from $10,000 | from $10,000 |
| Medication treatment for multiple sclerosis | from $2,500 | from $2,000 | from $3,000 |
| Therapeutic Apheresis | from $1,350 | - | - |
Dr. Baris Metin brings a unique blend of clinical neurology and neuroimaging research to multiple sclerosis care at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital.
Dr. Celal Salcini specializes in neurology at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, with a focus on multiple sclerosis and movement disorders.
Prof. Yaşar Kütükçü specializes in neurophysiology and movement disorders, with training from the University of California San Francisco.
Dr. Tokmak specializes in EMG, EEG, and PSG – key diagnostic tools for multiple sclerosis. She combines clinical neurology with advanced electrophysiology training.
Stem-cell therapy for multiple sclerosis is legally available and regulated in Turkey by the Ministry of Health. High-standard facilities like Medipol Mega University Hospital and NP Istanbul Brain Hospital maintain JCI accreditation. Procedures are generally safe when performed in licensed units following Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) protocols.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Patient volume is a major indicator of institutional expertise in Turkey. Medipol Mega University Hospital serves over 1,000,000 patients annually and manages complex bone marrow transplants. NP Istanbul Brain Hospital is ranked as the second-best brain hospital in Europe. Choosing these high-volume, specialized centers often ensures better access to multidisciplinary teams, including neurologists like Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlaci who has 25+ years of experience.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while the treatment is significantly more affordable than in the US, rigorous research into a clinic's specific success data is vital. Many emphasize the helpfulness of personal coordinators in managing the language barrier during complex neurological evaluations.
International patients in Turkey access a full spectrum of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) from first-line injectables to high-efficacy monoclonal antibodies. Neurologists at JCI-accredited centers select treatments using a risk-stratified approach. They prioritize clinical classification, brain MRI monitoring, and patient lifestyle preferences for personalized care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Diagnostic precision is the primary driver for DMT selection in Istanbul. At NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, specialists like Prof. Dr. Sultan Tarlaci utilize specialized neuroimaging and laboratories to confirm subtypes. Bookimed data shows diagnostic packages around $3,000 often reveal insights that shift patients from basic injectables to high-efficacy infusions like ocrelizumab.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that Turkish neurologists rely heavily on fresh MRI scans rather than just symptoms. They often recommend bringing recent records to speed up the treatment plan and avoid repeating baseline tests.
Multiple sclerosis patients visiting Turkey for HSCT typically stay 15 to 30 days. Standard drug-based infusions like Ocrevus require approximately 14 days for the initial loading doses. Post-treatment monitoring involves specific blood work and annual magnetic resonance imaging scans to track neurological stability.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While clinics focus on the 30-day medical window, the most successful recoveries involve 30 days of robotic-assisted rehabilitation immediately following HSCT. Specialized facilities like Medipol Mega University Hospital utilize advanced gait training technologies. Coordinating this rehab stay upfront ensures access to equipment that may not be available in a patient's home country.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while Turkish clinics provide excellent inpatient care, they must lead their own long-term follow-up. It is critical to arrange local blood work and neurologist check-ins before returning home from Istanbul.
Turkish hospitals recognized by or collaborating with the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) include Istanbul University Cerrahpasa and academic centers like Medipol Mega University Hospital. These facilities follow ECTRIMS/EAN guidelines. Top-tier neurology units in Istanbul provide advanced B-cell therapies and 3T MRI diagnostics.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While university hospitals like Cerrahpasa lead in research, private JCI-accredited centers like NP Istanbul Brain Hospital or Medipol often provide faster access to diagnostics. Our data shows NP Istanbul functions as a specialized neuropsychiatric hub. Dr. Baris Metin there focuses on functional neuroimaging. This is critical for tracking MS progression beyond standard scans.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize finding a specialist who focuses specifically on demyelinating diseases rather than a general neurologist. Many note that larger Istanbul hospitals stay better stocked with current disease-modifying therapies like Ocrevus.
Patients can switch disease-modifying therapies in Turkey after a specialist evaluation. Turkish neurologists follow international protocols to ensure a safe transition between medications. You must provide a complete medical history. Recent imaging and lab results are essential to determine the best treatment path.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, the second-ranked brain hospital in Europe, shows that successful therapy switches often involve complex diagnostics. Their $3,000 package includes specialized consultations with neurologists like Dr. Baris Metin. Patients should ensure their chosen clinic provides translated medical reports. This prevents the common issue of receiving discharge summaries only in Turkish, which complicates follow-up care with home doctors.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to bring English translations of all previous medical summaries to avoid miscommunication. Many emphasize that having a dedicated coordinator helps manage the logistics of multi-day diagnostic tests and specialist appointments.
Major Turkish medical centers provide comprehensive multilingual support through dedicated international departments and professional on-site translators. JCI-accredited hospitals in Istanbul offer personal coordinators who manage communication during consultations and diagnostic procedures. These services ensure accurate translation of complex neurological terms for multiple sclerosis care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While most JCI-accredited hospitals in Istanbul provide free translation, the depth of support varies by patient volume. Medipol Mega University Hospital serves 1 million patients annually and maintains a massive logistics infrastructure. For MS diagnostics requiring 7-day stays, like those at NP Istanbul Brain Hospital, confirming translator availability for daily rounds is essential for clear communication with specialists like Dr. Celal Salcini.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that while dedicated translators are excellent during main consultations, support can be limited in radiology or lab departments. Having a coordinator like those at Memorial Şişli helps bridge these gaps during complex testing phases.