Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

About Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

For thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey, different types of doctors often work together to create a patient’s overall procedure plan which usually includes different types of treatments. Thyroid cancer is a general term that generally refers to cancer of the pharynx i.e. area that connects your throat area with the esophagus or larynx i.e. the area which has the vocal cords. When considering thyroid cancer, regions contain the nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, glottis, supraglottis, and subglottis. About half of thyroid cancers develop in the larynx and the other half in the pharynx region. Consequently, any cancers that develop in these areas of the throat are considered thyroid cancer. The good thing about thyroid cancers is that they are treatable if detected early. The bad part is that delays in the treatment of thyroid cancer may lead to voice loss.

Thyroid cancer is the general term for cancer that impacts one or more parts of your throat. Generally, people who have thyroid cancer have cancer in their larynx (voice box) or their oropharynx (the middle part of their throat.) Healthcare providers typically use surgery for thyroid cancer treatment. Although it is not clear exactly what causes thyroid cancers, the cancerous cells develop when genetic mutations allow the cells to grow uncontrollably to form tumors (masses of cancer cells) that may metastasize (spread) to other regions in the body. Some of the factors that can lead to thyroid cancer contain cigarette smoking, infections with the human papillomavirus (HPV), and exposure to toxic substances like asbestos or large quantities of alcohol.

Turkey’s clinics and hospitals use advanced technologies in the management of thyroid cancers, including robotic surgery and targeted therapies. We work with multidisciplinary teams, involving surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, speech and swallow therapists, oncology navigators, physical therapists, and integrative medicine professionals, to ensure that you have all the information, expertise, and support you need, at every step. At Healthy Türkiye, your treatment for thyroid cancer is personalized. Your cancer care team will communicate closely and work together to customize your care, including the most advanced treatments with the least impact on your body.

Thyroid Cancer Treatment Procedure in Turkey

Thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey is also known as laryngeal cancer treatment. In general, cancer cells occur in the body at the cellular level, caused by a disruption in cellular activity when a normal cell reproduces uncontrollably or does not die as they should. Thyroid cancer mainly originates in squamous cells, which are thin, flat cells that line the pharynx and larynx. Thyroid cancer can influence either the pharynx or the larynx. There are various types, based on where the tumor is found. Squamous cell cancer of the thyroid can spread to other areas of the body involving the lungs, bones, and liver.

The throat is the place in your body where the breathing and digestive systems separate. When you breathe, air travels through your nose, oral, larynx, windpipe (trachea), and then into your lungs. When you swallow, your vocal cords close and a part of the larynx defined as the epiglottis closes tightly over your airway. This flap of cartilage prevents food and saliva from going into your lungs when you swallow. Swallowing permits the food into the food pipe (oesophagus) and into your stomach. Thyroid cancer is cancer of the larynx or voice box. Thyroid cancer symptoms include voice changes, hoarseness, and a sore throat or cough that does not go away. Treatment may have surgery to remove part or all of the throat, called a laryngectomy. You can decrease your risk of laryngeal cancer by avoiding tobacco products.

Most cancers that arise in the throat begin on the mucosal surface and are called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Much less common forms of thyroid cancers are salivary gland cancers which arise from the tiny salivary glands below the mucosa, or cancers arising from muscle, cartilage, or other structural tissues (sarcomas). SCC of the throat is associated with smoking, although the contribution of secondhand smoke and the effect of past smoking is less certain. Some cases of thyroid cancer arise without known risk factors.

At Healthy Türkiye, we provide the support that caters to both the physical and emotional needs of the patient, before, during, and after thyroid cancer treatment. We ensure a wide range of services for patients, as well as their loved ones, designed to make a very difficult time as easy as possible and to give our patients the best thyroid cancer treatment and support possible.

Thyroid Cancer Symptoms

Early thyroid cancer may not have any symptoms at all. Small growths of the vocal cords may produce hoarseness or coughing. This makes thyroid cancer more likely to be diagnosed early. Early cancer of the supraglottis (above the vocal cords) may cause pain, perhaps made worse with swallowing, and the pain may feel like it contains the ear, a phenomenon known as referred ear pain. Moderate to advanced thyroid cancer may cause:

Problem or painful swallowing

Difficulty during breathing

Sound during breathing

Voice change and severe hoarseness

Blood during coughing (hemoptysis)

Mass or growth in the neck and throat

Often thyroid cancer does not cause symptoms until it has grown or spread. That is why it is best to regularly check for thyroid cancer before ever having any symptoms. Thyroid cancer that is found early through screening, before you have symptoms, might be easier to treat. Screening can even prevent some thyroid cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called malignant tumors. Thyroid cancer treatment can be performed very successfully in Turkey when it is in the early stages. Without wasting time, you should quickly schedule with Healthy Türkiye about thyroid cancer treatment.

Causes of Thyroid Cancer

No one knows the exact causes of cancer of the thyroid. Experts cannot explain why one person gets this disease and another does not. However, specialists do know that cancer is not contagious. You cannot “catch” thyroid cancer from another person. People with certain risk factors are more likely to get cancer in the throat. A risk factor is anything that raises your chance of developing this disease. These risk factors involve:

Gender: Men are four times more likely than women to get cancer of the thyroid.

Age: Cancer of the thyroid occurs most often in people over the age of 55.

Race: African Americans are more likely than whites to be diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid.

Alcohol: People who drink alcohol are more likely to develop thyroid cancer than people who do not drink. The risk rises with the amount of alcohol that is consumed. The risk also increases if the person consumes alcohol and also smokes tobacco.

Smoking: Smokers are far more likely than nonsmokers to get cancer of the thyroid. The risk is even higher for smokers who consume alcohol heavily. People who stop smoking can greatly reduce their risk of cancer of the larynx, as well as cancer of the lung, oral, pancreas, bladder, and esophagus. In addition, quitting smoking reduces the chance that someone with thyroid cancer will get second cancer in the head and neck region. (Thyroid cancer is part of a group of cancers called head and neck cancers.)

Jobs: Workers exposed to sulfuric acid mist or nickel have an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Also, working with asbestos can raise the risk of this disease. Asbestos workers should follow work and safety regulations to avoid inhaling asbestos fibers.

A personal history of head or neck cancer: Almost one in four people who have had head and neck cancer will develop a second primary throat and neck cancer.

Other studies suggest that having certain viruses or a diet low in vitamin A may increase the chance of getting thyroid cancer. Another risk factor is having gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which causes tummy acid to flow up into the esophagus. Most people who have these risk factors do not get thyroid cancer. If you are concerned about your chance of getting thyroid cancer, you should discuss this concern with your healthcare provider. At Healthy Türkiye, your healthcare provider may suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan an appropriate schedule for checkups.

Diagnosis for Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

Before thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey, the first step of thyroid cancer diagnosis is a physical examination. This involves closely examining the roof and floor of your throat, the back of your throat, tongue, and cheeks, and the lymph nodes in your neck. If the doctor cannot define why you are having your symptoms, you might be guided to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. If the doctor finds any tumors, growths, or suspicious lesions, they will perform some tests or a tissue biopsy. A biopsy is a painless test that gets cells from the tumor. A tissue biopsy contains extracting a piece of the tissue so it can be examined under a microscope for cancerous cells.

Using a scope to get closer to examine your throat: Your doctor may use a special lighted scope (endoscope) to get a close look at your throat during a procedure named endoscopy. A camera at the end of the endoscope transmits images to a video screen that your doctor watches for indications of abnormalities in your throat. Another type of scope (laryngoscope) can be inserted in vocal cords. It uses a magnifying lens to help your doctor analyze your vocal cords. This procedure is defined as a laryngoscopy.

Eliminating a tissue sample for testing: If abnormalities are discovered during an endoscopy or laryngoscopy, your doctor can pass surgical instruments through the scope to collect a tissue sample (biopsy). This sample is sent to a laboratory for testing. In the lab, specially trained doctors (pathologists) will examine for signs of cancer. The tissue sample may also be tested for HPV since the presence of this virus affects the treatment options for certain types of thyroid cancer.

Imaging or screening tests: Imaging tests, containing computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), may help your doctor detect the extent of your cancer beyond the surface of your throat or voice box.

If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you might face many difficult questions and feel overwhelmed. At Healthy Türkiye, we want to help you regain control of your life with compassionate, personalized cancer care from our team of specialists. Your team will contain doctors, nurses, and other experts whose only focus is thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey.

Types of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

Thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey depends on the cancer type and whether it has spread to other parts of the body, such as the mouth or lymph nodes. Common treatments contain the radiation to kill the cancer cells, or surgery to remove the affected area. Removal of part or all of the larynx or pharynx can influence a person’s speaking ability. A patient recovering from thyroid cancer surgery may need to learn how to speak in new ways, using breathing techniques or voice aids. If the thyroid cancer has expanded to other areas of the body, more extensive treatment might be required. Expert doctors might also recommend the following treatment options to give the body the best chance at eliminating cancer:

Chemotherapy method: Chemotherapy may be performed after thyroid cancer surgery to kill the remaining tumor cells. The treatment method also may be used as a first-line treatment, either alone or in combination with radiation therapy, for patients whose thyroid cancer has advanced.

Radiation treatment: This therapy, a common treatment for thyroid cancer, may be performed as a first-line treatment in early-stage cancers. Radiation treatment also may be used to treat recurrent thyroid cancer.

Chemoradiation treatment: Also called chemoradiotherapy, this treatment method combines radiation therapy and chemotherapy. It may be performed as a first-line treatment for thyroid cancer and may help patients avoid surgery and preserve the larynx or voice box. Chemoradiation treatment might be an option for patients who choose not to have surgery or who are not healthy enough for surgery. It may also be an option to target cancer cells that may have been left behind after thyroid cancer surgery.

Thyroid cancer surgery: This option is the preferred treatment for early-stage thyroid cancers. The throat is formed of the pharynx and the larynx. For advanced-stage or recurrent thyroid cancer, specialists may combine surgery with other forms of treatment, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. These treatments may be performed to shrink the tumor before surgery. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed during operation to test for the presence of cancer.

Targeted therapy: Thyroid cancers typically have an overabundance of the epidermal growth factor receptor, or EGFR, a protein found on the surface of many cancer cells that helps them grow and divide. Because thyroid cancers have more EGFR proteins than other cancers, EGFR inhibitor drugs that target the protein may be used in combination with radiation therapy to treat some early-stage thyroid cancers. Targeted therapy medicines may also be performed on their own or in combination with chemotherapy to treat certain advanced or recurrent thyroid cancers.

Immunotherapy: This type of treatment drug designed to help the body’s immune system identify and kill tumor cells may be recommended when thyroid cancer does not respond to first-line treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy. Turkey has approved specific checkpoint inhibitor drugs to treat metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinomas that do not respond to standard treatments.

At Healthy Türkiye, we deal with cancer every day so we comprehend how valuable life is. Moreover, when people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to require the very best. We carry out thyroid cancer treatment with our professional team in a qualified and successful way in Turkey in order for patients to be discharged as soon as possible.

After Thyroid Cancer Treatment

If you have been treated for thyroid cancer, you may need help managing the long-term effects of treatment. For example, both radiation therapy and surgery can influence your ability to swallow, speak or hear. If that is your situation, your healthcare provider can determine programs and services to help you. There is a chance throat or oropharyngeal cancer can come back (recur). You will probably have follow-up appointments every few months the year after your treatment. So your healthcare provider can check on your overall health and for signs that cancer has come back or you have developed another type of cancer.

Thyroid cancer treatment often contains surgery that can affect your quality of life long after you have finished your treatment. You may need help with everyday critical activities like eating and speaking. At Healthy Türkiye, your healthcare providers understand all the ways that thyroid cancer can change your life. Never hesitate to ask for help from us. Our healthcare providers will be glad to do all they can as you learn how to adapt to a new way of living.

Stages of Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer cells develop in the pharynx (throat muscles) or in the larynx (voice box). When cells inside these grow abnormally, they create a malignant tumor. However, at this stage, people may fail to recognize this phenomenon. After the rapid growth of these unusual cells, malignant tumors or cancer are formed within the throat. After formation, the cancerous cells invade nearby muscles, resulting in a rapid expansion of this disease. Consequently, people affected by this cancer show several symptoms. Once thyroid cancer is diagnosed, your surgeon will stage the thyroid cancer treatment process in Turkey. The stage is used to define the size, and extent of thyroid cancer.

Stages Observables

Stages 0 At this carcinoma in situ stages, some abnormal cells develop in the lining of throat muscles.

Stages 1 The abnormal cell growth remains limited to its area of occurrence.

Stages 2 Tumor size has become larger than it was in the first stages of thyroid cancer. The size at stage 2 is between 2-4 centimeters.

Stages 3 At this stage, the influence area becomes larger than 4 centimeters, and there is an important chance that the tumor has touched the patient’s lymph nodes.

Stages 4 It is the advanced stage of thyroid cancer, and the affected area may be of any size. Cancerous cells may have the expansion of nearby tissues like the trachea, esophagus, mouth, jaw, and thyroid. Sometimes, mostly in severe conditions, it may even reach nearby organs like the lungs.

At Healthy Türkiye, doctors use staging as a general guideline to figure out how far along the thyroid cancer is. It is significant for a doctor to know the stage of cancer because it helps determine the best thyroid cancer plan for you. It is also the best option to estimate your long-term procedure. According to the guideline, stage 0, thyroid cancer is the earliest stage, and stage 4 is the most advanced.

Prevention of Thyroid Cancer

Various types of cancer can affect the throat, involving oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer. Smoking and high alcohol consumption raise the risk, but not every person who develops these cancers will have these risk factors. You should seek medical advice if you have symptoms such as a hoarse voice or sore throat that do not go away. Getting an early diagnosis can improve the outcome of these and other types of cancer. It is not always possible to prevent thyroid cancer. However, you can take steps to decrease your risk:

Quit smoking and tobacco use

Limit your alcohol consumption

Consume a nutrient-rich diet that contains fresh fruits and vegetables and limits the intake of added fats, sugars, and highly processed foods

Regular physical activity

Ask your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine to help decrease the risk of contracting an oral HPV infection

At Healthy Türkiye, with an expert cancer team, we are often aimed at finding new and better ways of treating thyroid cancer. Healthy Türkiye teams are dedicated to discovering and adopting these new innovations to treat our patients.

2024 Cost of Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

All types of medical attention like thyroid cancer treatment are very affordable in Turkey. Many factors are also included in determining the cost of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey. Your process with Healthy Türkiye will last from the time you decide to have a thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey until the time you are fully recovered even if you are back home. The exact thyroid cancer treatment procedure cost in Turkey depends on the type of operation involved.

The cost of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey does not demonstrate many variations in 2024. Compared to costs in developed countries like the United States or the UK, thyroid cancer treatment costs in Turkey are relatively low. Therefore, it is no wonder patients from across the world visit Turkey for thyroid cancer treatment procedures. However, the price is not the only factor affecting choices. We suggest looking for hospitals that are safe and have thyroid cancer treatment reviews on Google. When people decide to seek medical help for thyroid cancer treatment, they will not only have low-cost procedures in Turkey, but also the safest and best treatment.

At clinics or hospitals contracted with Healthy Türkiye, patients will receive the best thyroid cancer treatment from specialist doctors in Turkey at affordable rates. Healthy Türkiye teams provide medical attention to thyroid cancer treatment procedures and high-quality treatment to patients at a minimum cost. When you contact Healthy Türkiye assistants, you can get free information about the cost of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey and what this cost covers.

The prices may vary based on specific procedure requirements. Contact us for exact price information.

Why Is Thyroid Cancer Treatment Cheaper in Turkey?

One of the main considerations before traveling abroad for thyroid cancer treatment is the cost-effectiveness of the whole process. Many patients think that when they add flight tickets and hotel expenses to their thyroid cancer treatment costs, it will become very expensive to travel, which is not true. Contrary to popular belief, round-trip flight tickets to Turkey for thyroid cancer treatment can be booked very affordably.

In this case, assuming you are staying in Turkey for your thyroid cancer treatment, your total travel expense of flight tickets and accommodation will only cost less than any other developed country, which is nothing compared to the amount that you are saving. The question “why is thyroid cancer treatment cheaper in Turkey?” is so common between patients or people simply curious about getting their medical treatment in Turkey. When it comes to thyroid cancer treatment prices in Turkey, there are 3 factors allowing cheaper prices:

The currency exchange is favorable for whoever looking for thyroid cancer treatment has a euro, dollar, or pound;

The lower cost of living and cheaper overall medical expenses such as thyroid cancer treatment;

For thyroid cancer treatment, incentives are given by the Turkish Government to medical clinics working with international clients.

All these factors allow for cheaper thyroid cancer treatment prices, but let’s be clear, these prices are cheaper for people with strong currencies (as we said, euro, dollar, Canadian dollar, pound, etc). Every year, thousands of patients from all over the world come to Turkey to get thyroid cancer treatment. The success of the healthcare system has increased in recent years, especially for thyroid cancer treatment. It’s easy to find well-educated and English-speaking medical professionals in Turkey for all kinds of medical treatment such as thyroid cancer treatment.

Why Choose Turkey for Thyroid Cancer Treatment?

Turkey is a common choice among international patients seeking advanced thyroid cancer treatment. Turkey’s health procedures are safe and effective operations with a high success rate like thyroid cancer treatment. The increasing demand for high-quality thyroid cancer treatment at affordable prices has made Turkey a popular medical travel destination. In Turkey, thyroid cancer treatment is performed by highly experienced and trained doctors with the most advanced technology in the world. Thyroid cancer treatment is done in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and other major cities. The reasons for choosing thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey are as follows:

High-quality hospitals: Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals have dedicated thyroid cancer treatment units that are specially designed for patients. International and national strict protocols provide effective and successful thyroid cancer treatment for patients in Turkey.

Qualified experts: The expert teams include nurses and specialist doctors, together to carry out thyroid cancer treatment according to the patient’s needs. All the included doctors are highly experienced in performing thyroid cancer treatment.

Affordable price: The cost of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey is affordable compared to Europe, the USA, the UK, Singapore, Australia, etc.

The high success rate: Highly experienced specialists, the best available technology, and strictly followed safety guidelines for post-operative care of the patient, resulting in a high success rate for thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey.

Is Thyroid Cancer Treatment Safe in Turkey?

Did you know Turkey is one of the most visited destinations for thyroid cancer treatment in the world? It is ranked one of the most visited tourist destinations for thyroid cancer treatment. Over the years it has also come to be a very popular medical tourism destination too with many tourists coming in for thyroid cancer treatment. There are so many reasons why Turkey stands out as a leading destination for thyroid cancer treatment. Because Turkey is both safe and easy to travel to too with a regional airport hub and flight connections to pretty much everywhere, it is preferred for thyroid cancer treatment.

The best hospitals in Turkey have experienced medical staff and specialists who have performed thousands of medical services such as thyroid cancer treatment. All procedures and coordination related to thyroid cancer treatment are controlled by the Ministry of Health in accordance with the law. Over many years, the greatest progress in medicine has been observed in the field of thyroid cancer treatment. Turkey is known among foreign patients for its great opportunities in the area of thyroid cancer treatment.

To emphasize, besides the price itself, the key factor in selecting a destination for thyroid cancer treatment is certainly the standard of medical services, the hospital staff’s high expertise, hospitality, and the safety of the country.

All-Inclusive Packages for Thyroid Cancer Treatment in Turkey

Healthy Türkiye offers all-inclusive packages for thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey at much lower prices. Extremely professional and experienced doctors and technicians carry out high-quality thyroid cancer treatment. The cost of thyroid cancer treatment in European countries can be quite expensive, especially in the UK. Healthy Türkiye provides cheap all-inclusive packages for a long and short stay of thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey. Because of many factors, we can provide you with many opportunities for your thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey.

The price of thyroid cancer treatment differs from other countries due to medical fees, staff labor prices, exchange rates, and market competition. You can save much more in thyroid cancer treatment compared to other countries in Turkey. When you purchase thyroid cancer treatment all-inclusive packages with Healthy Türkiye our healthcare team will present hotels for you to choose from. In thyroid cancer treatment travel, you will have the price of your stay included in the all-inclusive package cost.

In Turkey, when you purchase thyroid cancer treatment all-inclusive packages through Healthy Türkiye, you will always receive VIP transfers. These are provided by Healthy Türkiye, which is contracted with highly qualified hospitals for thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey. Healthy Türkiye teams will organize everything about thyroid cancer treatment for you and have you picked up from the airport and safely brought to your accommodation. Once settled in the hotel, you will be transferred to and from the clinic or hospital for thyroid cancer treatment. After your thyroid cancer treatment has been successfully completed, the transfer team will return you to the airport in time for your flight home. In Turkey, all packages of thyroid cancer treatment can be arranged upon request, which relaxes the minds of our patients. You can reach out Healthy Türkiye for everything you need to know about thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey.