How much does a mastectomy cost in Turkey?
The cost of a mastectomy in Turkey ranges from £2,500 to £4,000 for the surgery alone. In the UK, this operation is normally provided through the NHS, but waiting times can be long and reconstruction is not always available at the same time. Radiotherapy or reconstruction is priced separately.
📊 Price table 2026
| Type of procedure | Price in Turkey | Price in the UK |
|---|---|---|
| FtM mastectomy (male chest) | £2,500 - £4,000 | £6,000 - £9,000 |
| Preventive mastectomy (genetic risk) | £2,800 - £4,400 | £6,500 - £9,500 |
| Mastectomy + immediate reconstruction | £3,400 - £4,900 | £7,000 - £10,000 |
| Revision mastectomy | £2,800 - £4,900 | £6,000 - £9,000 |
What is a mastectomy?
A mastectomy in Turkey is the surgical removal of a breast. It is used as a treatment for breast cancer. Among 1,851 women followed for 20 years, overall survival did not differ significantly between total mastectomy and lumpectomy followed by radiation[2].
There are several types of mastectomy. The size and type of tumour, the stage of the cancer and how many lymph nodes need to be removed determine which type of mastectomy is appropriate. Age and general health also play a part.
What are the different types of mastectomy?
The different types of mastectomy are as follows:
- Simple/total mastectomy
In a simple or total mastectomy, the whole breast is removed, but the lymph nodes and surrounding tissues are left in place. - Modified radical mastectomy
In a modified radical mastectomy, the whole breast is removed, along with the lymph nodes in the armpit and the tissue covering the chest muscles. The muscles themselves stay in place. The axillary dissection involved carries a risk of arm lymphoedema: 19.9% of women after axillary dissection, against 5.6% after sentinel node biopsy[3]. - Radical mastectomy
In a radical mastectomy, the breast, lymph nodes, the muscles beneath the breast and the surrounding fatty tissue are removed. This method is rarely used today and is reserved for extensive tumours that have spread to the chest wall. - Skin-sparing mastectomy
In a skin-sparing mastectomy, a small incision is made around the areola. The breast tissue is removed through this incision. The skin is preserved so that reconstruction can be carried out in the same operation by a plastic surgeon.
- Subcutaneous mastectomy
In a subcutaneous mastectomy, the tumour and breast tissue are removed. The nipple and skin are left in place. This procedure makes reconstructive surgery easier, but some cancer cells may remain. - Partial mastectomy
In a partial mastectomy, the tumour is removed with a wider margin of healthy tissue than in a lumpectomy, and the rest of the breast is preserved. Adjuvant radiotherapy reduces the 10-year risk of recurrence from 35.0% to 19.3%[4]. - Lumpectomy (wide local excision)
In a lumpectomy, the tumour and the tissue around it are removed. Some lymph nodes are removed as well.
How do you prepare for a mastectomy?
- Before a mastectomy, the doctor examines the patient and carries out certain tests. These include:
- Physical examination
- X-ray
- Blood test
- Urine test
- Electrocardiogram
- The patient must tell the doctor about
- Their health and any medical conditions, such as pregnancy or heart disease
- Any medication they are taking
- The doctor will explain the surgical procedure and what to expect.
- The doctor will decide on the type of anaesthesia after assessing the extent of the operation.
- The doctor will discuss the details of breast reconstruction.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ Frequently asked questions
Duration of the procedure/surgery
The duration depends on the type of mastectomy, whether the axillary lymph nodes are handled (sentinel node biopsy or full clearance) and whether immediate reconstruction is carried out, which lengthens it. No standard duration is published: the surgeon will confirm it after assessment.
Days in hospital
The length of stay varies with the procedure and any reconstruction. In a single-centre UK audit of 177 patients, the proportion of mastectomies performed as day cases rose from 3.9% to 45.5% in one year[5]: this is a local finding, not a standard.
Anaesthesia
A mastectomy is performed under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetist will see you in consultation before the operation: tell them about your medication, allergies and medical history, particularly heart problems, which can affect how the anaesthesia is managed.
Recovery time
No standard recovery time is published: it depends on the axillary procedure and any reconstruction. After the recovery room, pain relief is given. Analysis of the removed tissue then determines whether radiotherapy is needed[6].
Risks and complications
Bleeding, infection, haematoma, chronic post-mastectomy pain, shoulder stiffness, arm swelling and psychological impact are all possible. Seroma is common: in a UK audit of 177 patients, 21.7% to 24.5% needed aspiration[5].
Aftercare
Most patients recover well after a mastectomy. Recovery is both physical and emotional. If needed, the doctor will arrange follow-up appointments for ongoing treatment.
How is follow-up organised after a mastectomy in Turkey?
Whether radiotherapy or chemotherapy is needed is decided on analysis of the removed tissue[6]: take the reports back to the team who follow you in the UK. Our guide to medical tourism in Turkey explains how it all works.
Sources & References
- Assurance Maladie. À quoi sert la prise en charge en affection de longue durée (ALD) exonérante ? ameli.fr, 2026. Read the source
- Fisher B, Anderson S, Bryant J, et al. Twenty-year follow-up of a randomized trial comparing total mastectomy, lumpectomy, and lumpectomy plus irradiation for the treatment of invasive breast cancer. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2002. Read the source
- DiSipio T, Rye S, Newman B, Hayes S. Incidence of unilateral arm lymphoedema after breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Oncology. 2013. Read the source
- Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Effect of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery on 10-year recurrence and 15-year breast cancer death: meta-analysis of individual patient data for 10,801 women in 17 randomised trials. The Lancet. 2011. Read the source
- Harrison C, Remoundos DD, Harvey KL, et al. Increasing the incidence of drain-free day-case mastectomies with the use of a fibrin tissue sealant; data from a single surgical center in the United Kingdom. The Breast Journal. 2019. Read the source
- Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Effect of radiotherapy after mastectomy and axillary surgery on 10-year recurrence and 20-year breast cancer mortality: meta-analysis of individual patient data for 8135 women in 22 randomised trials. The Lancet. 2014. Read the source
