Endoscopy in Turkey: what this category covers
Endoscopy in Turkey means looking inside the digestive tract with a flexible tube carrying a camera, and in many cases treating what is found during the same session. It is part of the wider field of gastroenterology treatments in Turkey, and the hospitals on our site are licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
The category has three groups. The first is examination of the upper tract: gastroscopy (also called gastroduodenoscopy), gastroscopy with biopsy and transnasal endoscopy, which passes a thin scope through the nose. The second is examination of the lower tract: colonoscopy, colonoscopy with biopsy or polyp removal, and virtual colonography, a CT-based scan without a scope. The third is more specialised: endoscopic ultrasound, ERCP for the bile and pancreatic ducts, capsule endoscopy of the small bowel and the removal of polyps from the stomach, duodenum or colon.
Some of these are purely diagnostic, while others combine diagnosis with treatment. Taking a tissue sample or removing a polyp usually adds only a short time to the examination.
Endoscopy in Turkey
How the procedures differ and which one suits you
Gastroscopy looks at the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine, and is used for reflux, ulcers, persistent pain or swallowing problems. Colonoscopy examines the whole large bowel and is used for bleeding, changed bowel habit and screening. Capsule endoscopy uses a swallowed camera to view the small bowel, which standard scopes cannot easily reach. Endoscopic ultrasound adds an ultrasound probe to the scope to see layers of the wall and nearby organs. ERCP is mainly used to treat blockages of the bile duct, for instance from gallstones.
Which examination you need depends on your symptoms, age, family history and previous results. Your own doctor's referral and any earlier reports are a sensible starting point. Be wary of a plan that offers a long list of examinations without a clear reason for each one.
What the trip and recovery look like
Most endoscopies are day procedures. You are usually sedated or lightly anaesthetised, so you should not drive afterwards and should have someone with you for the rest of the day. Gastroscopy needs fasting for several hours. Colonoscopy needs bowel preparation the day before, which means a restricted diet and a strong laxative, and the hospital will give you instructions in writing.
Most people go back to normal life within a day, though a sore throat, bloating or mild cramps are common. After polyp removal or a biopsy the doctor may advise a few days of caution with diet, heavy lifting and medicines such as blood thinners. ERCP and some therapeutic procedures need a night in hospital. Biopsy results usually take several days, so ask how you will receive them if you have already left Turkey.
What affects the price
The price depends on the type of examination and on whether anything is done during it. A biopsy, polyp removal or ERCP adds to a basic examination. The type of sedation or anaesthesia, the pathology laboratory, a night in hospital, the doctor's experience and the equipment all play a part. Ask whether the quote includes the histology report and a written summary in English.
How to check a hospital and a specialist
Because the quality of an endoscopy depends on how carefully it is done and how the equipment is cleaned, ask about these points:
- the gastroenterologist who will perform the procedure and their experience with it;
- the type of sedation, who monitors you during the examination and how you are looked after afterwards;
- how scopes are cleaned and disinfected between patients, and how biopsy samples are examined;
- whether you will receive a written report with images and what happens if something is found.
It is reasonable to ask for the hospital's licence details and to ask how any complication would be handled.
How an enquiry with us works
Send any earlier endoscopy reports, test results and a short description of your symptoms through the free quote form. We forward them to licensed hospitals with a gastroenterology department, and a specialist reviews your case and suggests which examination is appropriate.
You then receive a written plan from the hospital listing the procedure, the doctor, the preparation, the expected length of stay and the price. There is no obligation, and you may compare it with advice from your own doctor. To see the wider range of hospitals and specialists first, visit the gastroenterology page.
Hospitals with Gastroenterology in Turkey
Other Gastroenterology categories
Frequently asked questions
Gastroscopy examines the upper digestive tract, meaning the oesophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine, through the mouth. Colonoscopy examines the large bowel through the back passage. They look at different organs and are chosen according to your symptoms.
Most people feel little because of sedation or light anaesthesia. Afterwards a sore throat, bloating or mild cramps are common and settle quickly. The doctor will discuss the sedation options with you beforehand.
The bowel must be empty for a clear view. This normally means a restricted diet the day before and a strong laxative drink. The hospital gives written instructions, including advice on any regular medicines such as blood thinners.
Often yes. Small polyps can usually be removed during the examination and sent to a laboratory for testing. Larger or more complex ones may need a separate planned procedure.
You swallow a small capsule with a camera that takes pictures as it passes through the digestive tract, mainly to view the small bowel. It avoids a scope but cannot take biopsies or remove polyps.
ERCP combines endoscopy and X-rays to examine and treat the bile and pancreatic ducts. It is used mostly to clear blockages, such as stones, or to place a stent. It carries more risk than a simple gastroscopy, so it is used when needed.
A simple examination can often be done within a day or two. If a biopsy, polyp removal or ERCP is expected, ask the hospital how long to allow for results and recovery before you book travel.