How much does brain tumour surgery cost in Turkey?
Treatment for a brain tumour in Turkey costs between £6,500 and £12,000, depending on the type of tumour and the chosen treatment. In the UK, these treatments are generally covered by the NHS for eligible patients. A personalised quote requires sending your MRI scan and pathology report.
| Brain tumour treatment in Turkey | £6,500 - £12,000 |
| Stereotactic radiosurgery in Turkey | £3,700 - £6,100 |
Introduction
The brain, though protected by the skull, is still exposed to various external aggressions, some of which can lead to the formation of a brain tumour.
In the United States, the annual incidence of primary central nervous system tumours is 24.83 per 100,000 inhabitants, including 6.94 for malignant tumours[1].
Fortunately, to fight this disease, serious in its malignant forms and affecting all age groups, different treatment options exist.
Here is what Turkey offers for the treatment of brain tumours, and what you need to check before travelling.
What are the different types of brain tumours?
A brain tumour is defined by the appearance of a harmful mass made up of cells that have proliferated abnormally.
There are two categories of brain tumours: primary tumours, which originate in the brain, and secondary tumours, or metastatic tumours. These correspond to cancer cells that have spread from a primary cancer located in another part of the body.
According to scientists, there are many types of brain tumours, classified according to whether they are benign or malignant (cancerous) and glial or non-glial, the so-called glial cells having the role of protecting neurons.
Here are the different types of brain tumours:
- Pituitary adenoma: benign tumour located in the pituitary gland;
- Astrocytoma: glial tumour, of variable grade depending on its type and molecular profile[2], which develops in any area of the brain from glial cells;
- Ependymoma: often benign, this tumour can be located in the brain or in the spinal cord;
- Glioblastoma: from the glioma family, this tumour can affect several areas of the brain;
- Glioma: some cancerous, others not, these lesions represent 26.3% of primary central nervous system tumours in the United States[1];
- Meningioma: often benign, this tumour develops from the meninges;
- Neurinoma: often benign, develops from the cells surrounding the nerves;
- Neurofibroma: benign tumour that can degenerate, it develops from the nerves;
- Oligodendroglioma: tumour that develops from a specific category of glial cells.
Read our guide on lung cancer treatment in Istanbul and radiotherapy in Turkey.
What are the main causes of brain cancer?
The reasons why brain cells start to proliferate chaotically are unfortunately still poorly understood.
A systematic review commissioned by the WHO concludes that mobile phone use probably does not increase the risk of glioma, meningioma or childhood brain tumours[3].
However, other risk factors seem to influence their occurrence. These include:
- Age: incidence increases with age and remains lower before 20 years, at 6.13 per 100,000 in the United States[1];
- Sex: for all types of brain tumours except meningioma, women are less affected than men;
- Ethnicity: Asian countries are less affected than Australia, North America or Europe;
- Exposure to chemicals such as vinyl chloride, to electromagnetic fields or to ionising radiation;
- Contraction of certain viral infections;
- Not to mention medical history and lifestyle…
How do I know if I have a brain tumour?
The location, size and type of tumour have a definite impact on symptoms. But some signs should alert you and lead to targeted examinations.
Malignant tumours of the central nervous system (CNS) are among the most deadly types of cancer, hence the importance of recognising the first signs.
What are the symptoms of a brain tumour?
Symptoms can be general or more specific depending on the location of the tumour.
- Headaches
- Changes in vision, smell or hearing
- Memory loss
- Sleep disturbances
- Decreased muscle tone
- Epileptic seizures
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unexplained fatigue
- Loss of consciousness
- Muscle spasms
- Balance or coordination problems
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing
- Confusion
Tests and examinations to diagnose a brain tumour in Turkey
After consulting your doctor, they will rely on various tests before making a diagnosis of a brain tumour. These include clinical, neurological and blood tests, but also, and above all, medical imaging.
- CT scan (computed tomography), as a first-line examination, often allows a tumour to be spotted.
- PET scan (positron emission tomography) helps to locate and characterise certain brain tumours; their classification is based on analysis of the removed tumour[2].
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is the best technique for detecting a brain tumour. The contrast agent highlights the lesion while providing precise information (size, location, sometimes nature).
- Biopsy: this surgical procedure determines the exact nature of the tumour. In the case of a lesion that is difficult to access, a stereotactic biopsy is performed. The surgeon uses a needle to take a sample of the tumour after drilling a small hole in the skull.
What are the treatments for brain tumours in Turkey?
To treat a brain tumour, oncologists have various procedures at their disposal. Depending on the nature, grade, size, location, advanced stage or not of the lesion, not to mention the patient’s overall health, they may decide to use one or more options.
- Surgery allows a total resection of the tumour if it is not too extensive, or, failing that, a partial ablation. Craniotomy consists of reaching the tumour after removing a part of the skull which is then reattached. Where possible, endoscopic surgery using a small camera and specialised tools makes the surgical procedure less invasive.
- Radiotherapy (external, internal, Gamma Knife radiosurgery) is intended to kill cancer cells by exposing them to high-dose radiation.
- Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs intended to stop the proliferation or even eradicate cancer cells. Administered either by intravenous injections or by tablets, chemotherapy is most often prescribed after surgery, once the tumour analysis is known, to eliminate residual cells[4].
- Immunotherapy or biological therapy aims to strengthen the patient’s immune system so that it is as effective as possible.
- Targeted therapy is for tumours carrying a specific molecular abnormality, identified by typing. It uses drugs that act on these abnormalities, with their own side effects[5].
What is the post-operative recovery time for brain tumour treatment in Istanbul?
Several factors must be taken into account to determine the recovery time of a patient after brain tumour surgery.
It depends above all on the complexity of the surgical procedure, the essential medical care, but also the patient’s overall health.
Post-operative care and rehabilitation play a crucial role in accelerating the recovery process, so the patient must maintain contact with their surgeon for a few months after the operation.
How long is the stay in Turkey for brain tumour surgery?
Each case is different: the length of stay in Turkey after brain tumour surgery is determined with the medical team, according to the procedure and the follow-up. This corresponds to the time needed to maintain all the chances of success of the surgical treatment, as well as the period during which post-surgical control and follow-up examinations are carried out.
Note that for international patients, this medical journey requires support, hence accommodation for two travellers.
Why choose Turkey for brain tumour treatment?
There are plenty of good reasons to choose Turkey for the treatment of a brain tumour. Here are a few.
- Turkey welcomes foreign patients in medical tourism.
- Qualified neurosurgeons, some trained in America and Europe, practise in Turkey.
- Within its hospitals and clinics, Turkey offers patients with this pathology advanced medical technology and therapies.
- Many Turkish hospitals accredited by JCI (Joint Commission International) enjoy worldwide renown in terms of multispecialty treatments at competitive prices, including for the treatment of brain tumours.
- Turkey offers accommodation options in Istanbul as well as in other cities, including Ankara, Kocaeli or Trabzon.
- The procedures for applying for a visa to Turkey make it very accessible, particularly with the new e-Visa application procedure.
What are the main side effects after brain tumour treatment?
Depending on the treatment(s) received, the patient may experience, among others:
- Migraine
- Fatigue
- Food aversion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Hair loss
- Skin changes
- Cognitive disorders
How is the type of brain tumour treatment determined?
A non-cancerous brain lesion, such as some meningiomas, may simply be monitored by MRI, especially in an elderly person or without symptoms; once operated on, it is often cured by complete surgery[6].
In a series of atypical meningiomas, 74% of patients were recurrence-free at 5 years after complete resection (Simpson I), compared to 32% after partial resection[7]. On the other hand, its location, type, size, cancerous nature and inherent patient criteria influence the oncological management which can be multidisciplinary.
In glioblastoma, MGMT status determines the benefit of temozolomide: in the 45% of patients whose gene is methylated, median survival reaches 21.7 months versus 15.3 months without it, whereas without methylation the difference is not significant[8].
Frequently asked questions about brain tumour surgery
What is the average cost of brain tumour surgery in Turkey?
The average cost of brain tumour treatment in Turkey varies, depending on the treatment modalities required, between £6,500 and £12,000. In the UK, these treatments are generally covered by the NHS for eligible patients[9]. Check with the NHS what your coverage provides.
What is the success rate of brain tumour treatment in Turkey?
The success rate differs according to the type, grade, location, stage of the tumour, but also the patient’s general state of health. In glioblastoma, the pivotal trial reports a median survival of 14.6 months with radiotherapy and temozolomide, compared to 12.1 months[4].
Does the NHS cover brain tumour surgery in Turkey?
Coverage for treatment abroad is exceptional: it requires prior authorisation and assumes that the care cannot be received in the UK or Europe[10]. Our page on medical tourism in Turkey details the procedures.
How long is the hospital stay for brain tumour treatment in Turkey?
After surgery to remove a brain tumour, the patient is kept under observation depending on the procedure and the follow-up. This period, accompanied by various tests, allows the medical team to ensure good recovery before authorising discharge.
What are the main side effects after brain tumour treatment?
Depending on the treatment(s) received, the patient may experience, among others: migraine, fatigue, food aversion, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss, skin changes and cognitive disorders, sometimes lasting.
What are the new treatments for brain tumours?
In already operated grade 2 IDH-mutant glioma, vorasidenib lengthens progression-free survival on imaging from 11.1 to 27.7 months[5]. In glioblastoma, electric fields applied to the skull are added to chemotherapy, in open trial[11].
How much does stereotactic radiosurgery cost in Turkey?
One stereotactic radiosurgery costs between £3,700 and £6,100 in Turkey. In the UK, it is generally covered by the NHS. The same technique also treats trigeminal neuralgia.
Sources & References
- Ostrom QT, Price M, Neff C, et al. CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2016-2020. Neuro Oncol. 2023. Consult the source
- Louis DN, Perry A, Wesseling P, et al. The 2021 WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System: a summary. Neuro Oncol. 2021. Consult the source
- Karipidis K, Baaken D, Loney T, et al. The effect of exposure to radiofrequency fields on cancer risk in the general and working population: a systematic review of human observational studies, Part I. Environ Int. 2024. Consult the source
- Stupp R, Mason WP, van den Bent MJ, et al. Radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma. N Engl J Med. 2005. Consult the source
- Mellinghoff IK, van den Bent MJ, Blumenthal DT, et al. Vorasidenib in IDH1- or IDH2-Mutant Low-Grade Glioma. N Engl J Med. 2023. Consult the source
- Goldbrunner R, Stavrinou P, Jenkinson MD, et al. EANO guideline on the diagnosis and management of meningiomas. Neuro Oncol. 2021. Consult the source
- Hammouche S, Clark S, Wong AHL, et al. Long-term survival analysis of atypical meningiomas. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2014. Consult the source
- Hegi ME, Diserens AC, Gorlia T, et al. MGMT gene silencing and benefit from temozolomide in glioblastoma. N Engl J Med. 2005. Consult the source
- NHS. Eligibility for healthcare abroad. nhs.uk. 2026. Consult the source
- NHS. Going abroad for treatment. nhs.uk. 2026. Consult the source
- Stupp R, Taillibert S, Kanner A, et al. Effect of Tumor-Treating Fields Plus Maintenance Temozolomide vs Maintenance Temozolomide Alone on Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma. JAMA. 2017. Consult the source
