Limb Cancer Treatment in Turkey
About Limb Cancer
Key Highlights
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Limb Preservation Focus: Advanced surgical techniques aim to save the limb, avoiding amputation whenever possible.Growth Plate Consideration: Specialized approaches protect growth plates in children to allow for normal future bone development.Multidisciplinary Care: Integrated treatment with pediatric oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists for a comprehensive plan.listrongCustomized Reconstruction:/strong Use of expandable prostheses, bone grafts, or biological reconstructions that can grow with the child./lilistrongImproved Long-Term Outcomes:/strong Focuses on both curing the cancer and optimizing future function, mobility, and quality of life./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of a primary malignant bone tumor, such as Osteosarcoma or Ewing Sarcoma, located in a limb.
- Presence of a soft tissue sarcoma (e.g., Rhabdomyosarcoma) affecting the muscles or tissues of an arm or leg.
- Failure of or progression despite initial chemotherapy or radiation treatment for a known limb tumor.
- A painful bone lesion with imaging (X-ray, MRI) and biopsy findings consistent with malignancy.
- A rapidly enlarging or symptomatic mass in the limb that is confirmed to be cancerous.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive Staging: Undergo detailed imaging (MRI, CT, PET-CT) and a biopsy to confirm the cancer type and stage.
- Medical Optimization: Complete initial cycles of neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) chemotherapy as prescribed by the oncology team.
- Nutritional Support: Work with a dietitian to ensure the child is in the best possible nutritional state for surgery and healing.
- Pre-operative Planning: Detailed surgical mapping using 3D imaging and models to plan the precise removal and reconstruction.
- Family Counseling: Discussions with the surgical and oncology teams to understand the procedure, goals, risks, and long-term plan.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection: Risk of deep or superficial infection at the surgical or reconstruction site.
- Non-union or Implant Failure: The bone graft may not heal, or the prosthetic implant could loosen, break, or become infected.
- Nerve or Blood Vessel Damage: Potential injury leading to numbness, weakness, or circulatory problems in the limb.
- Local Recurrence: The cancer may return in the same area, requiring further treatment.
- Limb Length Discrepancy: If a growth plate is affected, the treated limb may grow slower than the other.
- Functional Limitation: Some permanent loss of strength, range of motion, or endurance in the affected limb.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate Post-Op: Hospital stay for pain management, monitoring of the surgical site and limb circulation, and beginning gentle movement.
- Resuming Chemotherapy: Adjuvant (post-surgery) chemotherapy often resumes once the surgical wound is sufficiently healed.
- Rehabilitation: A long-term, phased physical therapy program is critical to regain strength, mobility, and learn to use the reconstructed limb.
- Wound Care: Meticulous care of the incision site to prevent infection, with instructions on signs to watch for.
- Follow-up Surveillance: Regular imaging (X-rays, CT scans) and oncology visits for years to monitor for recurrence and manage any long-term effects.
- Psychosocial Support: Access to counseling and support groups for the child and family to cope with the recovery journey.
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Typical hospital stay:
7-14 days
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Expected recovery time:
6-18 months for full functional recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering limb cancer in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with pediatric orthopedics departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform limb cancer. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric orthopedics and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for limb cancer compare across other countries where we have data.
James Nair is a 13-year-old aspiring...
James Nair is a 13-year-old aspiring soccer player from a close-knit family. A persistent, deep ache in his right thigh that he initially dismissed as a 'growing pain' or sports injury worsened over three months, becoming a visible, hard lump. After his GP referred him to a pediatric orthopedic oncologist, an MRI and biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma. The doctor recommended a limb-salvage surgery (rotationplasty), explaining it would remove the cancerous section of his femur and knee while preserving his foot, reattaching it backwards to act as a functional knee joint for a prosthetic lower leg. James was terrified of losing his leg and his soccer dreams. The complex 10-hour surgery was successful. His recovery involved intense physical therapy to adapt to his new anatomy and learn to use his prosthetic. A year later, James walks without a limp, has returned to school, and, with a specialized sports prosthetic, plays recreational soccer with his friends. His emotional journey moved from anger and grief over the loss of his leg to determination during rehab, culminating in pride and resilience as he redefined his athletic identity.