Any disorder or problem related to the urinary tract can negatively impact daily life, and any disease affecting the kidneys or urinary tract can become a life-threatening issue at any moment.

urology centers in Turkey are world-leading thanks to their highly experienced medical teams of urology surgeons who are capable of handling all kinds of disorders affecting the urinary tract, kidneys, bladder, prostate, and male reproductive organs.

These centers are equipped with the latest technologies and equipment for treating and surgically addressing reproductive diseases, kidney diseases, stone fragmentation, tumor surgeries, and more.

Common Bladder Diseases

Cystitis

Cystitis is a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that particularly affects women. It is usually more of a nuisance than a cause for serious concern, as mild cases often improve on their own within a few days. However, some people experience recurrent bouts of cystitis and may require regular or long-term treatment.

A general practitioner should be able to diagnose the issue by asking about the patient’s symptoms. They may test a urine sample for bacteria to help confirm the diagnosis.

Most cases are believed to occur when bacteria from the gut or skin enter the bladder via the urethra. Patients may find the following helpful:

• Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Drinking plenty of water
• Applying a hot water bottle to the abdomen or between the thighs
• Avoiding sexual intercourse

If symptoms persist, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics, which may need to be taken continuously over several months if necessary.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of bladder control or the inability to control urination. It is a common condition ranging from a minor problem to a severe health issue significantly impacting daily life.

There are several different types of urinary incontinence, each with different symptoms and causes:

• Stress Incontinence: Urine leaks when pressure is exerted on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting something heavy.
• Urgency Incontinence: A sudden and strong need to urinate followed by involuntary urine leakage, which may require more frequent urination, including at night. This type of incontinence can be caused by simple conditions like an infection or more serious conditions like a neurological disorder or diabetes.
• Overflow Incontinence: A frequent or constant dribble of urine due to the bladder not being completely emptied.
• Functional Incontinence: Physical or mental impairment prevents the patient from reaching the toilet in time. Severe arthritis may make it hard to unbutton pants quickly enough.
• Mixed Incontinence: A combination of different types of incontinence, usually a mix of stress and urgency incontinence.

Overactive Bladder (OAB)

Overactive bladder causes a sudden urge to urinate, which can also lead to involuntary urine leakage, known as incontinence. Women are often affected more than men.

Controlling the symptoms can be difficult due to their unpredictability, leading some patients to limit their social activities, affecting their quality of life.

Various treatments can help manage the symptoms, including:

• Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Specialized physical therapists focus on pelvic muscles, using exercises to manage various urinary issues, including urgency, frequency, and nighttime symptoms.
• Medications: These medications focus on reducing symptoms, decreasing urgency episodes, and incontinence. Medications include tolterodine (Detrol, Detrol LA), trospium (Sanctura), and mirabegron (Myrbetriq).
• Botox: Small Botox injections can temporarily paralyze or weaken bladder muscles, preventing frequent contractions, which may reduce OAB symptoms. The effects usually last six to eight months.
• Nerve Stimulation: This procedure alters the nerve signal carrying impulses to the bladder. Electrical stimulation can be done with a small wire inserted in the lower back or a small needle through the skin of the lower leg.
• Surgery: urology surgeons may suggest surgery to increase bladder capacity if symptoms do not improve with medications, nerve stimulation, or other treatments.

Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is inflammation or irritation of the bladder wall, leading to scarring and bladder stiffness. The bladder cannot hold as much urine as a healthy bladder.

The exact cause of IC is unknown, but researchers are studying various theories to understand its causes and find the best treatments.

Most people with IC find that certain foods worsen their symptoms. These foods include:

• Citrus and spicy foods
• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Potassium-rich foods
• Alcoholic beverages
• Some carbonated drinks

IC symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Urgency with urination
• Pressure, pain, and discomfort around the bladder, pelvis, and perineum (the area between the anus and vagina or anus and scrotum)
• In men, discomfort or pain in the penis and scrotum
• In women, symptoms may worsen during menstruation

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer occurs when abnormal tissue develops in the lining of the bladder and sometimes spreads to the bladder muscle.

The main symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine, which is usually painless.

Types of bladder cancer

• Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Cancer cells are limited to the bladder lining.
• Muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Cancer cells spread to the bladder muscle.
• Advanced/metastatic bladder cancer: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Treatment options for bladder cancer

• Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT)
• Radical cystectomy
• Intravesical chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy to reduce recurrence

Common Kidney Diseases

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual loss of kidney function over months or years. Causes of CKD include diabetes, high blood pressure, glomerulonephritis, urinary tract infections, exposure to certain toxins, herbs, or some medications. The disease is categorized into different stages based on the severity of kidney damage.

Early stages of CKD may not cause any symptoms. The following symptoms generally appear when there is significant kidney damage:

• Swelling in various parts of the body
• Muscle cramps
• Chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and fatigue
• Poor appetite and weight loss

Acute Renal Failure (ARF)

Acute renal failure causes kidney damage or failure over a short period. It can also damage other organs like the heart, lungs, and brain.

Causes include severe burns, shock (sudden drop in blood pressure), excessive bleeding, or drug use. It often occurs in elderly patients in the hospital, especially those needing intensive care.

Symptoms may vary depending on the cause and severity of acute renal failure and may not manifest at all. Signs and symptoms of acute renal failure include:

• Decreased urine output
• Swelling around the eyes
• Swelling above the ankles and feet
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals or salts that form inside the kidneys. They can form inside the ureters or the bladder. Kidney stones generally occur when there is an excess of mineral salts, like calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate, in the body.

Some patients may not experience any symptoms, while others may complain of the following signs and symptoms:

• Pain in the flank or lower abdomen or groin
• Blood in the urine
• Pain or burning during urination
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Nausea or vomiting

Kidney Infections

Kidney infections or pyelonephritis are a specific type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that usually occurs in any part of the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra).

Kidney infections occur when the infection travels from the urethra or bladder to the kidneys. Less commonly, the infection may spread to the kidneys from other parts of the body through the bloodstream or after kidney surgery.

Signs and symptoms of kidney infection include:

• Fever and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in the flank, back, abdomen, or groin
• Increased frequency or urgency of urination
• Pain or burning during urination
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Blood in the urine

Kidney Cysts

A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac, different from a genetic condition called polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which causes many cysts that damage the kidneys.

The exact cause of simple kidney cysts is unknown. They may result from an injury or damage to the kidney, leading to fluid accumulation in a small area that forms the cyst.

Kidney cysts may not cause any symptoms until the cyst bursts, bleeds, or grows larger and starts pressing on nearby structures like nerves.

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer occurs when cells in the kidney grow uncontrollably. The most common type of kidney cancer is renal cell carcinoma, accounting for about 90% of all kidney cancers. Other types include transitional cell carcinoma, Wilms’ tumor (nephroblastoma), and renal sarcoma.

Factors that may increase the risk include smoking, family history of kidney cancer, obesity, and high blood pressure.

Causes and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men. This small gland secretes a fluid that mixes with semen, nourishing and supporting it.

Prostate cancer is a serious disease, and fortunately, most cases are diagnosed before the cancer spreads outside the prostate gland. Treatment at this stage often eradicates the cancer.

Prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stages, but these symptoms may appear as the disease progresses:

• Urgent need to urinate, especially at night
• Weak urine flow
• Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)
• Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence)
• Loss of bowel control (fecal incontinence)
• Painful ejaculation and inability to maintain an erection (ED)
• Blood in semen (hematospermia)
• Pain in the lower back, hips, or chest

Common risk factors include:

• Age: The risk increases with age. About 60% of prostate cancer cases occur in people over 65 years old.
• Race: African descent is a higher risk factor for prostate cancer.
• Family history of prostate cancer: The risk is two to three times higher if a close family member has it.
• Genes: The risk is higher if the patient has Lynch syndrome or inherited genes associated with an increased risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2).

Latest Medical Technologies Used in Turkey

Urology centers in Turkey feature a wide range of medical technologies, reflecting the diversity of medical cases seen in this department.

Treatment Methods for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in Turkey

We offer many treatment methods for BPH, including invasive surgical methods, minimally invasive surgical methods, and drug treatments. Some drug treatments include:

Alpha Blockers for BPH

These drugs relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate, making urination easier. Increased urine flow and less frequent urination can be expected within a day or two after taking alpha-blockers for BPH. Alpha blockers include:

• Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
• Doxazosin (Cardura)
• Silodosin (Rapaflo)
• Tamsulosin (Flomax)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)

5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for BPH

This type of medication reduces the size of the prostate gland by blocking hormones that stimulate prostate growth, such as Dutasteride (Avodart) and Finasteride (Proscar). Symptoms of enlargement may take three to six months to subside.

urology surgeon consider invasive surgery the best long-term solution for relieving bothersome urinary symptoms. Most involve removing the enlarged part of the prostate. Surgery is usually recommended for moderate to severe BPH symptoms. Invasive surgical options for BPH include:

Open Prostatectomy

A urology surgeon performs this procedure when the prostate is significantly enlarged or when there are severe complications or bladder damage. During open surgery, the surgeon makes an incision and removes the enlarged prostate tissue.

Laparoscopic or Robotic Prostatectomy

This surgery differs from traditional open surgery by involving four small incisions instead of one large opening to remove the enlarged prostate tissue.

With advancements in medical technologies in Turkey, urology surgeon can use minimally invasive procedures with small incisions or tools inserted through the urethra:

Rezūm Technique for BPH Treatment with Water Vapor

A device is inserted into the urethra to deliver water vapor to the enlarged prostate tissue via a small needle, causing it to shrink.

Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT)

This procedure uses a special antenna to send microwave waves. The urology surgeon inserts it into the bladder, where microwave heat kills the enlarged prostate tissue.

UroLift System

This permanent device lifts and holds the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra. This procedure does not affect sexual function and is typically performed under local or general anesthesia in the urologist’s office, outpatient surgery center, or operating room.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

This minimally invasive surgery is the most common for treating BPH. The urology surgeon removes parts of the prostate blocking the urethra. There are no external incisions or scars as a scope is inserted through the urethra to remove the excess tissue. Some men may experience “retrograde ejaculation” (semen flowing into the bladder instead of out through the urethra).

Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP)

This surgery does not involve removing prostate tissue but making small cuts in the prostate to reduce pressure on the urethra, making urination easier. Compared to TURP, there is a lower risk of retrograde ejaculation with this technique.

Laser Surgery

The urology surgeon uses a laser to destroy prostate tissue and shrink the gland. This may not be effective for very large prostates. Laser procedures typically relieve symptoms and improve urine flow less effectively than TURP, but laser use causes fewer side effects and reduces the risk of bleeding.

Treating Male Infertility in Turkey

With new scientific advancements, the hope for millions of couples suffering from infertility is rising. Treating male infertility may require visiting a urology surgeon and undergoing some tests to determine the cause. In most cases, male infertility is due to problems in sperm production or sperm delivery to the egg. Treating male infertility in Turkey is cheaper than in all European countries and the USA while maintaining high standards of care, and it is widely available in various forms, including:

Surgery

Varicocele surgery responsible for infertility is treated surgically, and urology surgeons can use sperm extraction techniques in cases where no sperm is present in the ejaculated semen.

Medications

Infertility can often be treated with medications such as antibiotics to treat infections; however, antibiotics do not always restore fertility.

Treating Sexual Dysfunction

In some cases, erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation may be the cause of infertility, and medications or consulting a medical specialist can help solve these issues.

Hormonal Treatments

A urology surgeon may suggest taking hormones if infertility is due to high or low levels of certain hormones or problems in how hormones work in the body.

Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART)

These include important techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and intrauterine insemination.

Methods for Treating Varicoceles in Turkey

There are many surgical and non-surgical techniques used to close or tie off varicoceles and repair varicoceles.

Varicocele Surgery

Many surgical techniques are available, including open surgery, microscopic surgery, and laparoscopic surgery. These procedures are usually performed in the Urology department. Most patients leave the hospital on the same day, but 24% of patients undergoing surgical ligation are asked to stay overnight, and patients undergoing surgical ligation of varicoceles can expect a recovery period of two to three weeks.

In the past, surgery was the only way to treat varicoceles, but today men have another option:

Varicocele Embolization

Varicocele embolization is a simple procedure performed in the urology surgeon’s clinic without any incisions or stitches, and recovery is much faster than surgery.

An interventional radiologist performs this simple procedure, closing the blood flow to the affected vein without surgery. Varicocele embolization is a highly effective and widely available technique for treating varicoceles.

This procedure uses imaging-guided techniques to insert a thin catheter into a vein in the groin or neck after anesthesia, then introduce chemicals that cause scarring in the vein, leading to its blockage and hardening, reducing pressure on the veins of the testicle. The patient is comfortable and feels no pain throughout this one to two-hour procedure.

Famous urology Surgeons in Turkey

Turkey is distinguished by having some of the world’s top urology specialists, including:

• Professor Dr. Ahmed Hamdi Tefkeli
• Dr. Farouk Sabri Altuj
• Dr. Sukru Komar
• Dr. Umut Gonolan

Approximate Financial Cost for Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Turkey

The total cost at urology centers in Turkey varies depending on the treatment method used. The cost of TURP treatment in Turkey ranges from $6,000 to $12,000, while the price of the Rezūm procedure in Turkey ranges from $2,800 to $5,000.

Cost of Varicocele Surgery in Turkey

The average cost of varicocele surgery ranges from $2,500 to $4,000.

Cost of Male Infertility Treatment in Turkey

The average cost of infertility treatment in Turkey ranges from $4,800 to $5,800, which is a great and affordable price compared to prices at infertility centers in the USA and some European countries.

Turkey offers a wide range of modern medical technologies for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, in addition to services for treating male infertility and varicocele.

The healthcare sector in Turkey is distinguished by providing high-quality medical care at reasonable costs compared to European and American countries, making it a preferred destination for many patients worldwide. With a selection of specialized doctors and advanced medical centers, patients can receive the best treatments and achieve positive results.