Multiple myeloma treatment in Turkey: modern treatments and autologous transplant
Symptoms, diagnosis, induction treatment, autologous transplant, maintenance and care in Turkey: everything you need to know about multiple myeloma.
What does multiple myeloma treatment in Turkey involve?
Multiple myeloma, or Kahler’s disease, is a cancer of the plasma cells, bone marrow cells that produce antibodies. It mainly affects people over 60. Although it cannot yet be cured in most cases, current treatments control it for many years, with a good quality of life.
Multiple myeloma treatment in Turkey is provided by hematologists in specialized centers in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health. It combines targeted drugs and antibodies (immunotherapy), then, in patients who are able, an autologous stem cell transplant, followed by maintenance treatment. A first opinion is given remotely based on your test results. The price is set in a free quote.
TurquieMed organizes your stay: forwarding your file to the oncology team, opinion and detailed quote within 48 hours, airport pick-up, transfers, hotel, interpreter and 7-day-a-week assistance.
- First opinion
- Within 48 hours, based on your file
- Treatments
- Targeted drugs, immunotherapy, autologous transplant
- Stay for a transplant
- Usually 3 to 4 weeks
- Follow-up
- Regular blood tests, with your hematologist
How much does multiple myeloma treatment cost in Turkey?
The price depends on the phase of treatment: induction cycles, autologous stem cell transplant and maintenance treatment do not cost the same. The newest antibodies are the most expensive drugs. For a comparable level of care, the total cost in Turkey is often significantly lower than in Western Europe or North America.
Your free quote is prepared after your file has been reviewed and details the medication, transplant, hospital stay, accommodation, transfers and interpreter.
Why have multiple myeloma treated in Turkey?
Multiple myeloma is treated in stages, over several years, with recent drugs. Turkish hematology centers offer every stage, including the autologous transplant.
- Hematologists experienced with myeloma. Reference centers regularly follow patients with myeloma, at every stage of the disease.
- Current treatment combinations. Anti-CD38 antibodies, immunomodulators and proteasome inhibitors are combined according to international guidelines.
- Autologous transplant organized on site. Stem cell collection, intensive chemotherapy and reinfusion are carried out in units with protected rooms.
- Care for the bones. Bone-strengthening treatments, pain-relieving radiotherapy and, if needed, surgery or vertebroplasty.
- A clear treatment plan. The different phases are planned from the start, with the option of continuing maintenance near home.
What are the causes and risk factors of multiple myeloma?
The cause of multiple myeloma is not known. Several factors are linked to a higher risk:
- age: most patients are over 65;
- monoclonal gammopathy (MGUS): a benign blood abnormality that almost always comes before myeloma and needs monitoring;
- sex and background: it is more common in men and in people of African descent;
- a family history: of myeloma or MGUS;
- excess weight: and certain exposures, such as pesticides or benzene.
Myeloma is not contagious. MGUS found on a blood test is not cancer: it simply needs monitoring with regular blood tests.
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
Myeloma can cause no symptoms for a long time. When it does, the most common signs are:
- bone pain, especially in the back, ribs or pelvis;
- tiredness due to anemia;
- repeated infections;
- fractures after a minor knock;
- excessive thirst or kidney problems, found on a blood test.
These signs most often have another cause, such as arthritis. However, persistent bone pain, especially after 50, deserves investigation.
How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?
Blood and urine tests
Protein electrophoresis reveals an abnormal protein (monoclonal spike), and a free light chain test measures it precisely.
Bone marrow aspiration
A bone marrow sample confirms the myeloma and looks for genetic abnormalities that specify the prognosis.
Bone imaging
A low-dose CT scan, MRI or PET-CT looks for bone lesions, which count in the decision to treat.
What are the stages of multiple myeloma and the chances of cure?
Before talking about stage, the doctor distinguishes myeloma that needs treatment from myeloma that only needs monitoring.
| Situation | What it means | Care |
|---|---|---|
| MGUS | Blood abnormality without myeloma | Monitoring with blood tests |
| Smoldering myeloma | Myeloma present, but no organ damage | Close monitoring, sometimes treatment |
| Active myeloma, stage I | Damage to bones, kidneys, blood or calcium; favourable blood markers | Treatment |
| Active myeloma, stage II | Intermediate situation | Treatment |
| Active myeloma, stage III | Unfavourable blood markers (high beta-2 microglobulin) | Treatment |
Myeloma can now be treated very well, although in most cases doctors do not yet speak of a definitive cure. Combinations of new drugs and autologous transplant allow many years of remission, and treatments keep improving.
What are the treatments for multiple myeloma?
Treatment depends on age, general health and the genetic abnormalities of the myeloma. It is decided by a multidisciplinary tumor board.
Induction treatment
A combination of 3 or 4 drugs (an anti-CD38 antibody such as daratumumab, an immunomodulator such as lenalidomide, a proteasome inhibitor such as bortezomib, and a steroid) pushes the disease back within a few months.
Autologous stem cell transplant
In patients who can receive it, high-dose chemotherapy is followed by reinfusion of their own stem cells: this is an autologous transplant, which significantly prolongs remission.
Maintenance treatment
A light treatment, often in tablet form, is then continued to maintain remission for as long as possible.
Treating relapses
New combinations and recent immunotherapies (bispecific antibodies, CAR-T cells in authorized centers) allow relapses to be treated.
How does your care in Turkey work?
- You send your file. Your complete medical file: blood and urine tests, bone marrow aspiration and imaging. You receive an opinion and a quote.
- Arrival and tests. Consultation with the hematologist and additional examinations.
- The treatment. Starting induction, or the autologous transplant: stem cell collection, intensive chemotherapy, reinfusion and monitoring in a protected room.
- The return. You leave with your maintenance protocol, to continue with your hematologist.
Follow-up after treatment
Follow-up relies on regular blood tests that measure the abnormal protein, and bone imaging if needed. It takes place close to home, with your hematologist, who adjusts the maintenance treatment.
What are the possible side effects?
Current treatments are much better tolerated than before; most side effects can be prevented or treated well.
| Effect | After which treatment | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tingling in the feet and hands | Bortezomib | Monitored; the dose or schedule can be adjusted |
| Tiredness, digestive problems | Tablet treatments | Usually moderate |
| Infections | All, especially the transplant | Prevented by treatments and close monitoring |
| Nausea, hair loss | Autologous transplant | Temporary |
How to choose your hospital and quote?
A low price is not enough. Ask the hospital these questions before committing:
- Is the hospital authorized by the Turkish Ministry of Health to treat international patients?
- Who will perform the treatment, and how experienced are they with this technique?
- Does the center perform autologous transplants, with a unit of protected rooms?
- Do the proposed drugs match the combinations currently recommended for myeloma?
- Who takes care of a complication, on site and after your return home?
- What medical follow-up is planned, and with whom?
What a good quote should specify
- The name of the hospital and the doctor
- The tests, anesthesia, hospital stay and medication included
- The number of nights in hospital and at the hotel, and the transfers
- What happens in case of complication or cancellation
- The follow-up offered after your return
Also budget for your flight and follow-up consultations. Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance: ask your insurer in writing before committing.
Take time to think, and be wary of any offer that pushes you to decide quickly.
Our partner hospitals in Turkey
Frequently asked questions about multiple myeloma treatment in Turkey
How much does multiple myeloma treatment cost in Turkey?
The price depends on the phase of treatment (induction, transplant, maintenance) and the drugs used. It is usually significantly lower than prices in Western Europe or North America. The exact price appears on your free quote, prepared after your file has been reviewed.
Can multiple myeloma be cured?
Myeloma cannot yet be cured in most cases, but it is controlled better and better: many patients live for many years with a good quality of life, thanks to successive treatments.
What is an autologous transplant in myeloma?
Your own stem cells are collected from the blood, then high-dose chemotherapy is given, before these cells are reinfused to rebuild the bone marrow. It significantly prolongs remission in patients who can receive it.
How long do I need to stay in Turkey?
A few days for an opinion and to start treatment, about 3 to 4 weeks for an autologous transplant, including monitoring after reinfusion.
Which documents should I send to get an opinion?
Send your protein electrophoresis, light chain tests, bone marrow aspiration, bone imaging, the list of treatments received and your medical history, especially regarding the kidneys.
Can I continue treatment in my home country?
Yes: after induction or the autologous transplant in Turkey, maintenance treatment is usually continued near home, with your hematologist.
Is treatment in Turkey covered by insurance?
Planned treatment in Turkey is usually not covered by public health insurance systems, which generally only reimburse urgent and unforeseen care abroad. Some private insurers and international health plans do cover treatment abroad: ask your insurer in writing before committing, and keep all your invoices and medical reports.
Request a free medical opinion and quote
Send us your complete medical file: reports, imaging and test results. The medical team will review it, and you will receive a detailed medical opinion and an estimated quote.
