According to statistics from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, more than half a million people worldwide will be diagnosed with a malignant thyroid tumour in 2020. Particularly alarming is the fact that this disease has become the seventh most common in the female population. In light of such statistics, more and more people are looking for effective methods to combat this disease. An important issue is the cost of therapy. Read this article to learn more about the methods of thyroid cancer treatment and prices in different countries.
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What does the cost of thyroid tumour treatment depend on?
The choice of therapy methods and their cost depend primarily on the type of thyroid tumour. Benign pathologies usually do not pose a serious threat to health and require less complex methods of treatment. Papillary tumours, follicular cancer or thyroid sarcoma require a more intensive and multifaceted treatment, which entails additional costs.
In addition, the stage of the disease affects the cost. Initial stages require less complex therapy. However, when metastases appear, it becomes more difficult to get rid of the disease. This increases the overall cost of treatment, as a variety of therapeutic approaches are needed to fight the disease.
It is also worth noting that prices for medical services vary from country to country and from clinic to clinic. In developed countries, the cost may be higher due to the higher level of medical technology and infrastructure, as well as differences in healthcare systems and economies. For example, thyroid cancer treatment in Turkey and South Korea costs less than in Israel and the European Union.
For more detailed information about prices for thyroid cancer treatments, please contact our MediGlobus coordinators. To contact us, please click on the button below and leave your contact details. We will help you to choose a clinic according to your budget, make an appointment with the doctor and solve all organisational issues.
Read: How are patients with suspected thyroid oncology examined and how much does it cost?
Various diagnostic methods are used to detect this pathology:
Ultrasound | Ultrasound allows doctors to visualise the thyroid gland, and determine the presence of neoplasms, nodules and other pathologies. |
Blood tests to assess the hormonal level | Excess or deficiency of hormones in the body can indicate thyroid pathology. |
Laryngoscopy | During the examination, a special instrument is used to look at the vocal cords and larynx. This is required to find out if the tumour has affected them. |
PET-CT | This method creates a three-dimensional image of organs and tissues. It helps to establish the stage of cancer, detect metastases and monitor the effectiveness of therapy. |
CT | Computed tomography provides detailed images of internal organs. Scans are also performed to look for metastases. |
Biopsy | An analysis is required to confirm the diagnosis. This involves taking a small amount of tissue from the tumour, which is then examined in a laboratory to determine whether it is malignant or benign. |
How much does it cost to consult an oncologist abroad?
The cost of diagnostics depends on the number and type of methods used. Each of the listed procedures has its price, which may vary from one medical centre to another.
Prestigious and specialised clinics offer more accurate and expensive diagnostic methods. In addition, a consultation with a well-known doctor or professor is more expensive than that of ordinary specialists.
| Procedure | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkey | from $115 |
| Spain | from €400 |
| Israel | from $650 |
| South Korea | from $80 |
| Germany | from €500 |
| Czech Republic | from €300 |
How is thyroid cancer treated abroad?
Thyroid cancer treatment abroad is a highly organised process focused on achieving the best results and preserving patient safety. Following international protocols, doctors apply a comprehensive and individualised approach. When choosing a therapy regimen, they take into account the age of the patient, their general health condition, tumour type, presence of metastases and other factors.
The primary methods used in the treatment of thyroid cancer are:
surgery;
radioiodine therapy;
hormone therapy;
radiotherapy;
chemotherapy.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is the main method of fighting thyroid cancer and preventing further spread of the disease. The tumour can be removed during an open surgery or a minimally invasive one.
Partial or total thyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a thyroid tumour. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the neck area. This provides direct access to the site of pathology. The open method is resorted to in case of large neoplasms and spread to the surrounding tissues.
Abroad, doctors prefer to perform minimally invasive removal of the tumour. In this case, a small incision of up to 1.5 cm is required to access the site of the lesion. The transoral resection also can be used. The doctor makes 3 micro-punctures in the mouth. Through these incisions, an endoscope and instruments are inserted, which are used to remove the tumour and surrounding tissues. The advantages of the method are the absence of visible scars and less traumatisation. In addition, abroad the doctors are capable of performing this surgery through axillary access or through the scalp. These methods also make it possible to remove cancer without visible scars.
The main advantages of minimally invasive surgery are small incisions and less traumatisation, which promotes rapid healing and reduces the risk of infection. After such an intervention there are no visible scars.
DaVinci robot
Robotic surgery with the Da Vinci system is a modern method that combines the precision of a robot with the skill of a surgeon. The doctor uses a special console to control the robot’s arms, and the system controls each movement. The use of the robotic unit allows for more precise removal of the tumour, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues and nerves. This is especially important in the case of thyroid cancer, as it is located near the larynx.
Cost of thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer
The price of thyroid cancer surgery abroad is:
| Procedure | Turkey | Israel | Spain | Austria | Czech Republic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thyroidectomy | from $6,000 | from $15,000 | from €13,000 | from €15,000 | from €10,000 |
Doctors abroad use advanced technology to ensure the best possible outcome for thyroid tumour removal. Contact MediGlobus, we can help you organise your trip for treatment.
Hormone therapy
Treatment of thyroid cancer without surgery is possible with hormone therapy. However, the best results are achieved if treatment is prescribed after surgical removal of the tumour or in combination with other methods. In this case, the risk of recurrence of the disease is significantly reduced.
Hormonal drugs inhibit the release of thyrotropin in the pituitary gland, which provokes the development of the disease. As a result, the neoplasm stops growing and shrinks. While taking medication, doctors monitor the patient’s hormonal balance and adjust the dosage of the drug to achieve the optimal effect.
Radioiodine therapy
Radioiodine therapy is based on the ability of the thyroid to absorb and store iodine. The patient is given medication containing radioactive iodine. Once in the bloodstream, the substance goes directly to the gland and irradiates malignant cells. Other organs and tissues are not affected by radiation, as they do not absorb iodine. Thus, radioiodine therapy has fewer side effects and is considered a safer method, unlike external beam therapy. This method is used alone or after surgery to destroy the remaining malignant cells.
Cost of radioiodine therapy for thyroid tumours
The price of radioactive iodine treatment differs from country to country. In Europe, the approximate cost is €9,000; in Israel, $8,000. In Turkey, the treatment will be 15-20% cheaper.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is rarely used in the treatment of thyroid cancer. It can be prescribed as an adjuvant method if other treatments have proved ineffective or as palliative care in advanced stages.
Chemotherapy is given as a course of several sessions.
Radiation
Thyroid radiotherapy is used when surgery, radioiodine therapy and hormone therapy are contraindicated or do not help. The method is used rarely, as this type of tumour is often more sensitive to other treatments. Patients undergo courses of radiation on a linear accelerator. Therapy lasts several weeks, with daily or periodic sessions, depending on the indication. Thyroid irradiation is effective in treating certain types of cancer, but its use requires careful planning and an assessment of the benefits versus possible risks.
Treatment of metastases in thyroid cancer
Treatment of metastases requires a comprehensive and individualised approach. When choosing a therapy scheme, doctors take into account the type and stage of the tumour, the location of metastases, the general condition of the patient and other factors. Doctors resort to surgery, radioiodine therapy, radiation and chemotherapy. If the metastases are in a limited area, surgical removal is performed. Radiation and chemotherapy are used if surgery and other treatment options are contraindicated.
In the last stages of thyroid cancer, targeting therapy is particularly effective. Drugs affect certain molecules in cancer cells. Treatment helps to control their growth and spread.
In addition, in modern medicine, metastases in thyroid cancer are treated with the following methods:
Endolymphatic therapy. A radionuclide-based drug is injected into the body through the lymphatic vessels. The substance travels through the lymphatic system and accumulates in the affected lymph nodes, emitting radiation and destroying tumour cells.
Chemoembolization. Chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the tumour or into the vessels feeding the metastases. This allows targeted destruction of neoplasms in the body.
Arterial embolisation. This is a procedure in which the vessels feeding the tumour are blocked with special materials (emboli), resulting in stopping the blood supply and feeding of the neoplasm.
Immunotherapy. An innovative approach aimed at activating the body’s immune system to fight the tumour. For this purpose, special drugs are used that activate the immune system and make it destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy is particularly effective at later stages and allows you to treat metastases and slow their growth.
The cost of tumour chemoembolisation in clinics abroad starts at $8,000.
The approximate price of immunotherapy starts from $2,500 per course.
Prices may vary from country to country and from clinic to clinic.
To organise thyroid cancer treatment, please contact MediGlobus specialists. We will provide you with all the necessary information about the cost of treatment, make an appointment with a doctor and help you prepare documents for travelling. Leave an application on the website and wait for a call from a coordinator.
Summary
Treatment of benign thyroid tumours is less expensive than malignant pathologies because it requires less intensive therapy. In addition, lower costs will be required in the initial stages of the disease, while more intensive and multifaceted approaches are needed to achieve positive results in the advanced stages. The presence of metastases and comorbidities will also affect the overall cost of therapy, as they require additional therapies and more complex medical interventions.
In thyroid cancer, treatment is complex. The main methods are surgical removal of the thyroid tumour, radioiodine therapy, and hormonal therapy. The auxiliary methods are radiation and chemotherapy.
Treatment of papillary thyroid cancer consists of surgical removal of the tumour and subsequent radioiodine therapy or hormonal treatment.
Removal of a benign thyroid tumour is done surgically. After surgery, hormone therapy may be prescribed to prevent recurrence.
The price of an oncologist’s consultation ranges from $80 to $650; thyroidectomy abroad costs from $6,000 to $15,000; the average price of radioiodine therapy is $8,000; immunotherapy costs $5,000 per course; chemoembolization of vessels costs $8,000. These prices may vary from country to country and from clinic to clinic.
Sources:
- 1. American Society of Clinical Oncology
- 2. National Cancer Institute
- 3. NHS – Thyroid cancer
- 4. NHS Inform
