A Seamless Experience from Your First Contact to Your Return Home

Travelling abroad for cancer treatment can feel overwhelming. At Prof. Yusuf Yıldırım's practice, our international patient team manages every step of your journey—from your first enquiry until you safely return home.

Below is a step-by-step overview of what you can expect.

Step 1

Contact Us & Schedule Your Consultation

Getting started is simple.

You may contact us by completing the online Contact Form or by calling our International Patient Office.

After reviewing your enquiry, our coordinator will arrange an online consultation or an in-person appointment at your convenience.

If you are planning to visit our clinic for the first time, you will also be asked to complete our Health Information Form and share any previous medical records, imaging studies and pathology reports before your arrival whenever possible.

Step 2

Planning Your Trip to Turkey

Before travelling, our international patient coordinator will help you prepare your visit.

We provide guidance regarding:

• Visa requirements
• Passport validity
• Expected length of stay
• Travel recommendations
• Medical documentation

Citizens of many countries may enter Turkey without a visa, while others may obtain an electronic visa before travelling.

For the latest visa regulations, please visit the official Republic of Türkiye Directorate of Migration website.

Step 3

Flights & Accommodation

Once your treatment dates are confirmed, we assist you with planning your journey.

Izmir is served by numerous international airlines through direct or connecting flights.

If requested, we can also assist with hotel reservations close to our clinic.

We usually recommend accommodation within walking distance of our office, allowing easy access before and after surgery.

Step 4

Airport Reception & Hotel Transfer

Upon arrival at İzmir Adnan Menderes International Airport, you will be welcomed by our international patient coordinator.

Private transportation will take you directly to your hotel.

Our team will assist with:

• Hotel check-in
• Local orientation
• Transportation arrangements
• Initial scheduling

Our goal is to make your arrival as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

Step 5

Consultation & Treatment Planning

Your consultation with Prof. Yusuf Yıldırım is the most important step of your treatment journey.

During this appointment:

• Your medical history will be reviewed.
• Previous investigations will be evaluated.
• A comprehensive physical examination will be performed.
• Your diagnosis will be confirmed.
• Your treatment options will be discussed in detail.

When necessary, additional investigations such as blood tests, MRI, CT, PET/CT, endoscopy or multidisciplinary tumor board evaluation may be recommended before finalizing your treatment plan.

Every treatment plan is individually tailored according to international oncological guidelines and your specific medical condition.

Step 6

Hospital Admission

Your operation will be performed at Acıbadem Kent Hospital, one of Turkey's leading JCI-accredited hospitals with internationally recognized standards of care.

Depending on your procedure, admission usually takes place either on the day before surgery or on the morning of surgery.

Our coordinator remains with you throughout the admission process and assists with all administrative procedures.

Before surgery, you will undergo the necessary preoperative assessments, including:

• Blood tests
• ECG
• Chest imaging (if required)
• Anesthetic evaluation
• Final surgical review

Step 7

Surgery & Hospital Care

The duration of surgery depends on the complexity of your condition.

Following surgery, you will receive continuous care from:

• Prof. Yusuf Yıldırım
• Specialist nursing staff
• Anesthesiology team
• Physiotherapists
• Nutrition specialists
• International patient coordinator

Your recovery will be closely monitored with daily clinical examinations and appropriate laboratory or imaging studies whenever required.

Hospital stay generally ranges between 2 and 10 days, depending on the surgical procedure and individual recovery.

Upon discharge, you will receive a comprehensive medical report including operative details, pathology findings (when available) and postoperative recommendations.

Step 8

Recovery at Your Hotel

After leaving the hospital, most international patients remain in İzmir for several additional days before travelling home.

During this period:

• Our coordinator remains in regular contact with you.
• Your doctor monitors your recovery.
• Additional clinic visits are arranged whenever necessary.
• Any concerns are addressed immediately.

This observation period helps ensure a safe recovery before international travel.

Step 9

Follow-Up & Long-Term Care

Before your departure, you will attend a final follow-up consultation.

During this visit:

• Surgical wounds are assessed.
• Recovery progress is evaluated.
• Final pathology results are discussed.
• Any need for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or additional treatment is determined.
• A personalized long-term follow-up plan is prepared.

If additional oncological treatment is required, we coordinate care with medical oncology, radiation oncology and other specialists.

Step 10

Returning Home

Once your recovery is considered safe for travel, our coordinator will arrange your airport transfer.

Even after returning home, your treatment journey continues.

We remain available through:

• Video consultations
• E-mail communication
• Telephone support
• Review of imaging and pathology reports
• Long-term follow-up planning

Our goal is to provide continuous care regardless of where you live.

International Patient Support

Throughout your treatment journey, our international patient office can assist with:

✓ Appointment scheduling

✓ Medical record review

✓ Travel planning

✓ Hotel reservations

✓ Airport transfers

✓ Translation assistance

✓ Hospital admissions

✓ Coordination of multidisciplinary care

✓ Postoperative follow-up

✓ Long-term communication after returning home

You're Never Alone

From your very first enquiry until long after you return home, our team is committed to making your treatment experience as safe, organized and comfortable as possible.

Our mission is not only to perform complex cancer surgery, but also to provide compassionate, personalized care at every stage of your journey.