Merkel Cell Carcinoma Treatment in Turkey
About Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Key Highlights
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Multidisciplinary Management: Coordinated care involving surgical, radiation, and medical oncology for a comprehensive approach.Advanced Immunotherapy Options: Access to cutting-edge systemic treatments like PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors that can be highly effective for advanced stages.Personalized Treatment Plans: Therapy is tailored based on precise staging (including sentinel lymph node biopsy) and individual patient factors.listrongFocus on Local and Regional Control:/strong Combination of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy significantly reduces the risk of local recurrence./lilistrongSpecialized Expertise:/strong Care from an oncologist specializing in rare skin cancers ensures up-to-date, evidence-based management./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of a new, rapidly growing, painless, firm nodule on sun-exposed skin (common sites: head, neck, limbs).
- Confirmed Merkel Cell Carcinoma via biopsy (positive for cytokeratin 20 and other specific markers).
- Localized disease requiring wide local excision and potential sentinel lymph node biopsy.
- High-risk features post-surgery (e.g., positive margins, lymphovascular invasion, large tumor size) indicating need for adjuvant radiation therapy.
- Regionally advanced disease with involvement of lymph nodes.
- Metastatic (Stage IV) Merkel Cell Carcinoma requiring systemic therapy.
- Recurrent MCC after prior treatment.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive Staging: Undergo imaging tests (CT, PET-CT, or MRI) and sentinel lymph node biopsy to determine the exact stage of the cancer.
- Multidisciplinary Consultation: Meet with the surgical, radiation, and medical oncology team to discuss the integrated treatment plan.
- Medical Optimization: Review of all medications, management of other health conditions (like heart or lung disease), and pre-anesthesia check-up if surgery is planned.
- Baseline Blood Tests: Complete blood count, liver and kidney function tests to assess fitness for treatment.
- Patient Education: Detailed discussion about the treatment sequence, potential side effects, and the importance of follow-up care.
- Lifestyle Preparations: Arrange for support during treatment, plan for time off work, and address nutritional needs.
Risks & possible complications
- Surgery-related: Infection, bleeding, poor wound healing, scarring, nerve damage leading to numbness or weakness, and lymphedema (especially after lymph node dissection).
- Radiation Therapy-related: Skin irritation (redness, peeling, ulceration), fatigue, long-term skin changes (fibrosis, discoloration), and rare damage to nearby structures.
- Systemic Therapy-related (Immunotherapy/Chemotherapy): Immune-related adverse events (e.g., colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis, endocrine disorders), fatigue, nausea, decreased blood cell counts, and infusion reactions.
- General Treatment Risks: Incomplete removal or control of cancer leading to local recurrence or metastasis.
- Psychological Impact: Anxiety, depression, and stress associated with a cancer diagnosis and intensive treatment.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Post-Surgical Care: Wound care as instructed, monitoring for signs of infection, and gradual return to activity as tolerated. Physical therapy may be needed if lymphedema develops.
- During/F Post-Radiation: Meticulous skin care using recommended creams, managing fatigue, and protecting the treated area from sun exposure.
- During Systemic Therapy: Regular monitoring for side effects through blood tests and clinic visits. Prompt reporting of any new symptoms (like severe diarrhea, cough, or rash) to the oncology team.
- Long-term Follow-up: Requires vigilant, lifelong surveillance with regular skin and lymph node exams by a dermatologist and oncologist, along with periodic imaging as recommended, due to the high risk of recurrence.
- Supportive Care: Nutritional support, pain management, and access to counseling or support groups to address emotional well-being are integral parts of recovery.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-5 days (highly variable)
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Expected recovery time:
Several weeks to months
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering merkel cell carcinoma in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for merkel cell carcinoma in Turkey include Liv Hospital Ankara, Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform merkel cell carcinoma. MediFyr helps you compare oncologists 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 merkel cell carcinoma compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated oncologist teams and experience managing patients undergoing merkel cell carcinoma.
Instabul, Turkey
140 Doctors
Myra Smith, a 72-year-old retired librarian,...
Myra Smith, a 72-year-old retired librarian, noticed a small, firm, painless nodule on her left temple while applying moisturizer. Initially dismissing it as a harmless age spot, it grew rapidly over six weeks, becoming reddish-purple. Her dermatologist performed a biopsy, revealing Merkel Cell Carcinoma. The oncologist, Dr. Evans, explained the rarity and aggressiveness of this skin cancer. He recommended a wide local excision to remove the tumor with clear margins, followed by a sentinel lymph node biopsy to check for spread. Myra underwent surgery, which went smoothly, but the lymph node biopsy came back positive. This led to a recommendation for adjuvant radiation therapy to the primary site and lymph node basin. The radiation caused fatigue and localized skin irritation, but she managed with supportive care. Six months post-treatment, she is in remission, with regular follow-up scans showing no evidence of disease. Emotionally, Myra was terrified by the diagnosis and the word 'carcinoma.' She felt vulnerable and anxious about the future. After completing treatment and receiving clear scans, she feels a cautious optimism. She has become an advocate for sun safety in her community and finds strength in sharing her story, though she still experiences 'scanxiety' before each check-up.
Oncologists for Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Explore experienced oncologists who regularly perform merkel cell carcinoma and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
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