General information about chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy, and how a review with a medical oncologist at a partner clinic is coordinated.
Important
This is general information, not medical advice. Cancer care decisions must be made with your treating oncologist. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services.
ELAVIA Global coordinates care; it does not provide medical treatment. All cancer care is delivered by independent partner clinics and their licensed oncologists.
A second opinion is an additional view, not a replacement for your current care. Please do not stop, delay or change any treatment without speaking to your treating team.
Medical oncology covers cancer treatments that act throughout the body, usually given as a drip into a vein or as tablets. The main groups are chemotherapy, which acts on cells that divide quickly; immunotherapy, which helps the immune system recognise cancer cells; and targeted therapy, which acts on specific features of some cancer cells identified by tests on the tumour. Hormone therapy is also used for some cancers.
Whether any of these is appropriate, which medicine is used, the dose and the schedule all depend on the type and stage of the cancer, pathology and molecular test results, previous treatment and general health. These decisions are made by a medical oncologist, often together with a multidisciplinary tumour board.
Systemic treatment is usually given in cycles over weeks or months, with regular blood tests and reviews. For this reason, much of it is often given close to home, and a review in Istanbul may focus on the plan rather than the whole course.
You contact a coordinator and describe what you would like reviewed. We explain what we can and cannot do: ELAVIA Global coordinates care and does not give medical advice or treatment.
With your consent, your reports, imaging and pathology are shared securely with an oncologist at an independent partner clinic. Original scan files or pathology slides may need to be re-reviewed, or some tests repeated.
The medical oncologist reviews the case, often with a multidisciplinary team, and explains whether systemic treatment is advised, which type, and how it would be monitored. Further tests may be needed first.
If you and the oncologist decide to proceed at a partner clinic, treatment is given in its day-treatment unit under the oncology team’s supervision. The coordinator helps plan travel around treatment cycles.
You receive written reports to take home. Ongoing follow-up is usually arranged with your oncologist at home, and the coordinator helps share records between the teams.
These are general examples only. Whether any test or treatment is appropriate is decided by a treating oncologist after examination, imaging and pathology review.
Send copies and keep your originals. The reviewing team may ask for further records, or for some tests to be repeated.
Cost depends on the diagnosis and treatment plan and is confirmed in a written quote after consultation.
It depends on the plan. Courses often last several months, with frequent visits and blood tests, so many people receive treatment closer to home. The oncologist discusses what is practical and safe for you.
No. These treatments are used only for certain cancers and, for targeted therapy, usually only when tests show a specific change in the tumour. The oncologist decides whether they are relevant after reviewing your pathology and test results.
Every systemic treatment can cause side effects, which vary with the medicine and the person. The treating team explains what to expect, how you are monitored and who to contact. Some side effects need urgent attention, so you are always given an emergency contact.
This is decided by the treating oncologist. Blood counts, infection risk and how you feel all matter. Do not plan travel during treatment without the team’s agreement.
Share your records and questions. A coordinator explains how a review with a partner oncologist can be arranged. There is no obligation to proceed, and your current care continues as planned.
This is general information, not medical advice. Cancer care decisions must be made with your treating oncologist. In an emergency, contact your local emergency services. ELAVIA Global coordinates care; it does not provide medical treatment. All cancer care is delivered by independent partner clinics and their licensed oncologists.