Best Pancreatic Cancer Clinics in Turkey

What is Pancreatic Cancer?

The pancreas is located in the abdominal cavity near the stomach. It is part of the endocrine glandular system. It helps in the maintenance of sugar in the body because it is responsible for the secretion of insulin and glucagon. Pancreatic cancer develops when the tissues of the pancreas start to grow abruptly causing tumors.

These cancers can be malignant or benign. The major symptoms of this cancer are fatigue in the body, loss of appetite, weight loss, pale eye, and urine color. It can be caused due to some genetic mutation, exposure to toxins, diabetes, obesity, and frequent stomach infections.

It has the lowest survival rates of all cancers. It has the highest mortality rate. Only 3.6% of all patients survive for 5 years after diagnosis. Source: European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) Leading clinics in Turkey provide an opportunity to undergo pancreatic cancer treatment in accordance with modern Western protocols.

According to the WHO, Turkey has 75th place in the world for the number of deaths caused by pancreatic cancer.  The advantage of pancreatic cancer treatment in Turkey is the relatively low cost compared to other countries with developed medical infrastructure.

At the same time, medical equipment, drugs, and treatment protocols are the same as in the most powerful cancer centers in Europe and the United States. In addition to this, Turkish oncologists are among the most experienced in the world. They regularly undergo internships abroad and take part in international congresses.

90% of cases germinate from cells of the pancreatic duct. Sometimes benign formations can turn into malignant ones. In the early stages, it develops asymptomatically. By the time the patient consults a doctor, the tumor usually grows throughout the organ and metastases to nearby organs.

In case cancer cannot be cured, Turkish doctors prescribe palliative treatment. It allows you to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease and extend the patient's life expectancy. The disease most often affects people over 70 years old and practically does not occur in those under 40. Factors that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer include smoking, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms

•  Yellowing of the whites of the eyes
•  Yellowing and itching of the skin
• Increased blood sugar
• Gray feces
•  Pain in the upper abdomen and back
• Loss of appetite and weight
• Enlargement of the gallbladder or liver

In most cases, they arise in connection with other diseases such as hepatitis, gallstones, etc. However, the presence of the listed symptoms is a reason to immediately consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostic Tests for Pancreas Cancer

The list includes:

•  Blood tests- When diagnosing the pancreas, attention is paid to the indicators of liver function and specific tumor markers. These tests can also be used to monitor the effectiveness of treatment or detect a relapse.

•  Ultrasound examination- most effective for detection. With its help, it is possible to carry out a biopsy at the same time.

•  CT scan- Used to detect tumors and metastases. If pancreatic cancer is suspected, multiphase CT with contrast is used.

•  PET scan- Used to detect metastases.

•  MRI scan- It is advised to pass it to patients who have a genetic predisposition to developing cancer.

•  Cholangiopancreatography- Examination of the pancreatic ducts. Can be done with an endoscope, contrast X-ray, or MRI.
•  Biopsy- Doctors can do it endoscopically, laparoscopically, or with a special needle.

Treatment Procedures for Pancreas Cancer

It can be treated by following procedures:

• Operation Whipple- During this procedure, the doctor removes the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, gallbladder, part of the bile duct, and nearby lymph nodes. This is a complex procedure, but when done successfully, it increases patient survival by up to 25%.

• Pancreatectomy-  After such an operation, the patient may need to take insulin and replacement enzymes for the rest of his life.

• Chemotherapy- Can be done before surgery, after surgery, or to relieve symptoms and prolong the life of a patient with inoperable cancer.
• Radiotherapy- This can be performed before surgery or after surgery. It is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy to relieve symptoms.

• Ablation and embolization- It is rarely used as the main treatment. Sometimes it is used to eliminate metastases and eliminate painful symptoms.

• Targeted Therapy- Drugs, the action of which is aimed at the metabolism of pancreatic cancer cells. Capable of increasing the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

• Immunotherapy- Drugs that increase the efficiency of the human immune system and direct it against cancer cells.

Usually, in Turkish clinics, the patient can be discharged 5-14 days after the operation.

Pancreatic cancer palliative care in Turkey

In Turkish clinics, operations are performed, after which the patient can get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease - pain, nausea, jaundice. They do not cure the disease itself, but significantly alleviate the patient's condition. Most pancreatic surgeries in Turkey are performed endoscopically.

Patients tolerate such interventions more easily and recover faster after surgery.  Surgery to remove the blockage of the bile duct can help relieve the symptoms of jaundice.  Surgery to remove a blockage of the small intestine helps relieve pain, nausea, and weakness.

Best Clinics for Pancreas Cancer Treatment in Turkey

For pancreas cancer treatment, the below-mentioned hospitals are considered well-reputed and recommended.

American Hospital Istanbul, Turkey:

For pancreas cancer, it is a trustworthy and well-reputed professional center located in Turkey. It provides all services to its patients, from detailed and modern surgery performing techniques to well-experienced staff and surgeons.

The treatment period also provides the best environment for fulfilling the psychological needs of the patients. The hospital offers the best services for treating pancreatic cancers. Following methods are more famously used by the hospital.

• Distal Pancreatectomy: This procedure is more preferable by the patients and by the doctors because in this procedure doctors only remove the lower part of the pancreas and some affected upper tissues. The pancreas is able to perform its function after treatment. It is also less expensive than a total Pancreatectomy.
• Total Pancreatectomy: This procedure has only opted when there is no other option for treatment when the patient is at the final stage of cancer. In this procedure, all pancreas is removed along with part of the spleen and after removal, there are more chances to get infected by diseases. It is more time-consuming and more expensive.

Memorial Sisli Hospital Turkey:

It is Turkey’s largest and most working medical complex. The oncology department has well-experienced doctors and well-advanced equipment for cancer treatments. It provides the best medical environment to its patients. For pancreas cancer, it is the most recommended hospital. The treatment procedures used at memorial Sisli hospital for pancreas cancer are as follows.

• Whipple Procedure: This is a largely used procedure for middle-stage pancreatic cancer. It is more favorable for the patients because in this procedure the surgeon provides an alternate way for food digestion. The life expectancy rate after this procedure is very high.

Liv Hospital

The clinic in Turkey is certified by JCI and TÜV. It is the only hospital outside the United States to receive an award for achievement in robotic abdominal surgery. Compared to other Turkish clinics, it has the highest success rate for abdominal surgeries.

Dr. Kemal Dolay specializes in the treatment of pancreatic cancer at the Liv Clinic. He performs pancreatic surgeries with a da Vinci robot and endoscopic surgery.

Memorial Clinic Antalya

The clinic is one of the most technologically advanced in the world. There are advances in medical technology available here, such as Magnetom Skyra 3T MRI, which is used to diagnose cancer, and Elekta Versa HD, an accurate and effective radiation therapy device.

The Whipple operation at Memorial Bahçelivler Clinic is performed by oncosurgeon Erhun Eyuboglu. His work experience is 38 years. He is a member of Turkish, American, and European Societies for Laparoscopic Surgery and Oncology.

KOC hospital

It is one of the highest priorities and most experienced in the treatment of oncology. The clinic is JCI and ISO certified. It uses the advanced achievements of the scientific field. Oncological cases are conducted on weekly councils, which consist of doctors of various specialties. The clinic uses a GE Discovery 710 PET-CT and a Varian Trilogy radiotherapy unit.

Best Doctors for Pancreas Cancer Treatment in Turkey

Dr. Murat BinBay: He has been working as an oncologist for more than 20 years. He is famous for doing successful Whipple surgery. He is currently working in Memorial Sisli hospital.

Dr. Adnan Sayar: He is the most reputed surgeon for pancreatic cancer. He has 15 years of experience.

Dr. Koray Acarly: He is also an oncologist with 25 years of experience in the required field. He specializes in pancreatic cancer treatment.