Kidney cancer treatment in Turkey, Prices of Istanbul Clinics

What is kidney cancer?

The kidneys are two vital bean-shaped organs located on either side of the spine, in the lumbar region. About the size of a fist, they play an essential role in removing waste from the blood through a complex system of filtering tubules. This waste is then eliminated through urine, the end product of kidney filtration.

Kidney cancer often originates in the cells lining the inside of these tubules, although it can also occur in other tissues, particularly the capsule surrounding the organ.

Causes of kidney cancer

While the exact causes of kidney cancer have not been clearly established, several known risk factors can significantly increase the chances of developing the disease. The most common include:

• A sedentary lifestyle.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.

The presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Age and gender also play a role: men over 60 are most affected. In addition, prolonged exposure to toxic substances such as asbestos or cadmium, particularly in certain occupational environments, is an aggravating factor that should not be overlooked.

While there is no absolute method of prevention today, it is possible to significantly reduce the risks by making better lifestyle choices.

Protect your health by thinking ahead. Benefit from Turquie Santé's medical expertise for accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment.

Alarming symptoms

Kidney cancer is often silent in its early stages, which makes it particularly frightening. In most cases, symptoms don't appear until the disease is well advanced. However, certain warning signs should prompt you to seek immediate medical attention. The most common symptoms include:

• Blood in the urine (hematuria).
• Persistent back pain.
• Palpable mass or swelling in the side.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Anemia and chronic fatigue.
• Recurrent fevers.
• High blood pressure
• Varicocele (dilated veins in the spermatic cord).
• Night sweats.
• Bone pain from metastases.

Early detection of these signals can make all the difference. Thanks to medical advances in Turkey, we now have access to rapid diagnosis and innovative treatments to effectively treat kidney cancer. Don't be in doubt: book an appointment for a complete screening today.

Diagnosing kidney cancer

With the number of kidney cancer cases on the rise, early and accurate diagnosis is essential to maximize the chances of successful treatment. Thanks to technological advances, leading medical centers, especially in Turkey, now have state-of-the-art equipment that combines radiology, nuclear medicine, anatomopathology, and molecular biology to provide a reliable and comprehensive diagnosis.

Here are the main techniques used to detect and evaluate tumors:

• Abdominal ultrasound: a non-invasive, rapid, and highly effective examination to detect the presence of solid masses or dilated renal cavities.
• Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan): allows precise visualization of even very small lesions and their relationship to surrounding tissues.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): useful for examining the kidneys and urinary tract without radiation, ideal for detecting suspicious abnormalities.
• Renal needle biopsy: a minimally invasive technique performed under ultrasound or CT guidance. A tissue sample is analyzed to confirm the presence of a tumor and to define its histologic type and degree of aggressiveness.

In nearly 60% of cases, kidney cancer is discovered incidentally, during tests performed for other medical reasons. That's why it's important not to ignore certain subtle signals, even in the absence of obvious symptoms.

Kidney cancer treatment in Turkey

Kidney cancer treatment in Turkey is based on a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach. Each treatment plan is developed by a specialized team of oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, psychologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and oncology nurses. This synergy guarantees comprehensive, humane, and highly personalized care.

The therapeutic strategy is defined according to several criteria:

• The patient's general health and age.
• The stage of the cancer (staging).
• The presence of comorbidities.

No treatment can be given without the patient's free and informed consent. The specialist will therefore take the time to explain:

• The recommended type of treatment.
• Its duration, benefits, and possible side effects.
• Available alternatives.
• The risks involved.

Once all the patient's questions have been answered, he or she can sign the consent form with full confidence and knowledge of the facts.

Surgical treatment of kidney cancer in Turkey

In Turkey, surgery remains the treatment of choice for kidney cancer whenever possible. Thanks to medical advances and the latest equipment, several surgical techniques are now available to provide personalized, effective and less invasive treatment.

Partial or complete removal of the affected kidney, known as nephrectomy, can be performed using a variety of techniques:

• Traditional (open) surgery.
• Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
• Robot-assisted surgery, which offers extreme precision and faster recovery.

The choice of method depends on several factors: the size of the tumor, the presence of metastases, the patient's age and general health, and the recommendations of the specialist.

Alternative and complementary treatments

Alternative and complementary treatments for kidney cancer include :

Renal embolization

Renal embolization is a minimally invasive procedure performed by interventional radiology. It involves blocking the blood supply to the tumor to reduce its size or limit bleeding before surgery.

Thermal ablation

Indicated in certain specific cases, notably for non-operable patients, this method uses extreme temperatures to destroy cancer cells using a needle inserted into the tumor.

Advanced therapies for metastatic disease

In cases where kidney cancer has spread to other organs (metastatic cancer),more advanced therapies are used to control the disease and improve outcomes:

Molecular targeted therapies

Molecular targeted therapies represent a major advance in the treatment of metastatic RCC. They specifically target abnormal receptors or proteins expressed by tumor cells, limiting damage to healthy cells.

Thanks to their personalized approach, these smart medicines are tailored to the specific genetic characteristics of each patient. This ensures maximum efficacy while minimizing side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy. This approach is becoming an increasingly preferred treatment option, particularly for patients with advanced or metastatic kidney cancer.

Immunotherapy & chemotherapy

Immunotherapy stimulates the patient's immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. This revolutionary approach is often used to complement targeted therapies in advanced cases. Administered intravenously, it can cause specific side effects that should be monitored with your healthcare team.

Although chemotherapy is widely used for other cancers, it is generally not very effective for common forms of kidney cancer. It is only indicated in rare, specific cases, such as collecting duct carcinoma.

Contact our medical advisors today to evaluate your situation and receive a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.