For patients in South Africa

Breast lump removal in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Breast lump removal takes a lump out of the breast, to find out exactly what it is or to treat it. If you have found a new lump, have it assessed by a doctor in South Africa first, without delay. This page is for patients whose lump has already been examined and imaged.

A new lump is assessed at home first

Every new lump needs to be checked quickly. See your GP in South Africa, who can arrange imaging and, if needed, a needle biopsy. If the lump might be cancer, treatment should be planned by a breast team that can also manage any further treatment after surgery.

When removal may be advised

• Imaging or a biopsy has raised suspicion, or a needle biopsy was inconclusive
• A benign lump, such as a fibroadenoma or cyst, is growing quickly, painful or causing symptoms
• A lump is causing ongoing anxiety or cosmetic concern

Not every lump needs surgery; many benign lumps are simply monitored. Depending on the reason, the operation may be called an excisional biopsy, a lumpectomy or a benign lump excision. More detail is on the breast lump removal treatment page.

Before you travel

Send your examination notes, mammogram, ultrasound or MRI images with reports, and any biopsy results. A board-certified surgeon reviews them; blood tests and an anaesthetic assessment follow in İzmir. Cancer-related cases may need a multidisciplinary review, which your doctors at home should be part of.

The operation and recovery

Under local anaesthetic with sedation, or general anaesthetic, a small cut is made over or near the lump, the lump is removed, and more surrounding tissue is taken if needed. Cuts are placed to keep scarring as discreet as possible. Many patients go home the same day or after one night.

• First one to two weeks: mild swelling, bruising and discomfort, usually well controlled; stitches are removed if they are not dissolvable
• Weeks three to six: normal activities return gradually and the scar starts to mature
• Up to 12 months: the scar continues to fade

Risks include infection, bleeding or a collection of blood, a reaction to the anaesthetic, a change in breast shape, temporary numbness, fluid collection (seroma) and scarring.

Pathology results and follow-up

Everything removed is examined by a pathologist, and results usually take several days. Decide in advance whether you will wait in Turkey for the result or receive it by video call, and who in South Africa will see you if further treatment is needed. A benign result often needs nothing more; atypical changes may need monitoring or more surgery; cancer needs treatment planning with oncology specialists. Take the full pathology report home.

Planning the trip from South Africa

• Flights: direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir
• Visa: South Africans need an e-Visa, applied for online before travelling; see the e-Visa guide
• Time difference: İzmir is only one hour ahead of South Africa, which makes follow-up calls easy
• Cover: South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, so check with your scheme before you book; standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad

Medical complications from the operation, and any clinically necessary revision, are covered for one year by our treatment guarantee. Covered treatment is carried out in İzmir at no charge, but flights and accommodation are yours to pay, and treatment by another provider after you return home is not covered. Read more on the clinic facts page and our complaints page. For cosmetic breast operations, see the breast surgery guide for South African patients, and for other general surgery the general surgery guide for South African patients.

What we will not do

We will not plan surgery for a lump that has not been assessed and imaged, we will not tell you a lump is harmless before the pathology result, and we will not arrange cancer treatment without your oncology team at home.

Frequently asked questions

I have found a new breast lump. Should I come to Turkey?

No. Have it assessed by a doctor in South Africa first, without delay. Planned removal in Turkey is only for lumps that have already been examined and imaged.

Are all breast lumps removed?

No. Many benign lumps are monitored rather than removed. Removal is advised when there is suspicion, uncertainty or troublesome symptoms.

How long does breast lump removal take?

Usually about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on complexity. Many patients go home the same day or after one night.

When will I get the pathology result?

Usually within several days. Agree in advance whether you will wait in Turkey or receive it by video call, and who at home will see you if further treatment is needed.

Will my medical aid cover breast lump removal in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment. Check with your scheme before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.