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Türkiye: About leukemia

Türkiye has a large health system and many haematology centres. This chapter explains how common leukaemia is in Türkiye and where a patient’s path begins.

Last updated: ~1 min read
On a dark navy background, a softly glowing map of Anatolia with blood cells.
Figure 1.Leukaemia in Türkiye: the overall picture.

01Short answer

According to the GLOBOCAN estimates of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO), about 6,500 new cases of leukaemia are diagnosed in Türkiye each year. Leukaemia is the most common cancer in children, and in adults it becomes more common with age. In Türkiye, diagnosis and treatment take place mainly in the haematology departments of university hospitals, Ministry of Health training-and-research and city hospitals, and private hospitals. The path usually starts with a family doctor or emergency service, a blood test and a referral to a haematologist.

02Simple explanation

About 6,500 new leukaemia cases a year in Türkiye.

Treatment takes place in haematology centres.

The path starts with a blood test.

03Scientific explanation

Statistics: the GLOBOCAN fact sheet for Türkiye estimates 6,546 new leukaemia cases and 3,954 deaths a year.

Types: according to the NCI, the main types are acute lymphoblastic (ALL), acute myeloid (AML), chronic lymphocytic and chronic myeloid leukaemia; treatment depends on the type.

04What happens in the body?

What is leukaemia?

Leukaemia is the uncontrolled growth of blood cells in the bone marrow. Immature cells crowd out healthy ones, causing anaemia, bleeding and infections.

On a dark navy background, a bone marrow cross-section crowded with immature white cells.
Figure 2.Leukaemia starts in the bone marrow.

The picture in Türkiye

The country has large university clinics and transplant centres. The Turkish Society of Hematology (THD) produces national guidance and training programmes for doctors.

Where to start

With worrying signs, the family doctor orders a blood test and refers you to a haematologist. You can follow your results in the e-Nabız system.

On a dark navy background, a path of light to a hospital entrance.
Figure 3.The path to a reliable centre.

05The patient path in Türkiye in four steps

From symptoms to a treatment plan.

Symptoms — Tiredness, bruising, fever.1SymptomsTiredness, bruising, fever.
Test — Full blood count.2TestFull blood count.
Referral — To a haematologist.3ReferralTo a haematologist.
Plan — Diagnosis and treatment plan.4PlanDiagnosis and treatment plan.
ClarityThe next step is clear.
TimeTreatment is not delayed.
ConfidenceYou go to the right centre.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
What is leukaemia?Leukaemia is the uncontrolled growth of blood cells in the bone marrow. Immature cells crowd out healthy ones, causing anaemia, bleeding and infections.
The picture in TürkiyeThe country has large university clinics and transplant centres. The Turkish Society of Hematology (THD) produces national guidance and training programmes for doctors.
Where to startWith worrying signs, the family doctor orders a blood test and refers you to a haematologist. You can follow your results in the e-Nabız system.

07Key terms

Lösemi
Turkish for leukaemia.
Hematoloji
Haematology.
e-Nabız
Personal electronic health record.
GLOBOCAN
WHO cancer statistics.

08Key points

  • ~6,500 new cases a year.
  • Most common cancer in children.
  • Treatment in haematology centres.
  • The path starts with a blood test.
  • Results in e-Nabız.

09Frequently asked questions

Is leukaemia treated in Türkiye?

Yes; the country has many haematology and transplant centres.

Can a foreigner apply?

Yes; there are international patient units. See “Treatment abroad”.

I do not speak Turkish. What can I do?

Many large hospitals have interpreters; ask in advance.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is leukaemia treated in Türkiye?

  2. Can a foreigner apply?

  3. I do not speak Turkish. What can I do?

My questions

12Sources

  1. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO). Global Cancer Observatory: Türkiye fact sheet
  2. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Leukemia—Patient Version
  3. Türk Hematoloji Derneği (Turkish Society of Hematology). Official website (in Turkish)
  4. Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye. Official website
  5. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Leukemia
  6. GOV.UK (FCDO). Turkey travel advice: health
  7. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO). Global Cancer Observatory: the Netherlands fact sheet
  8. IKNL (Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation). Official website
  9. Hematon. Patient organisation for blood cancer (in Dutch)
  10. Government of the Netherlands. Health insurance
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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