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Cancer treatment usually combines three main approaches: surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy (and related drug treatments) to attack cancer cells throughout the body, and radiotherapy to destroy cancer cells with focused beams. Which of them you need, and in what order, depends on the type of cancer, how far it has spread and your general health. Surgery is only one part of the plan for most patients.

This guide explains each treatment, how a tumour board decides on a plan, which documents to prepare and how to plan cancer treatment in Tabriz. Tabriz Health is a facilitation platform, not a hospital: our coordinators can send your reports to centers in Tabriz and pass on their written opinions. Nothing on this page replaces advice from your own oncologist.

Cancer treatment is time-sensitive. Do not delay treatment at home while you arrange travel, and do not stop or change any treatment without speaking to your doctor first.

Key points

• Most plans combine surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy; the order is decided for each person.
• A multidisciplinary tumour board (surgeon, oncologist, radiation oncologist, radiologist and pathologist) should agree the plan.
• The pathology report and recent scans are the most important documents; centers cannot give a real opinion without them.
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are given over weeks or months, so ask early which parts you would do in Tabriz and which at home.
• Ask for a written plan that says what is included and what is not.

The main treatments

Cancer surgery

Surgery removes the tumour and, often, nearby tissue and lymph nodes so the pathologist can check the edges. Examples include breast, colorectal, stomach, lung and prostate cancer operations. Some can be done by keyhole (laparoscopic or robotic) surgery, others need an open operation; your surgeon explains which suits your case. Hospital stay and recovery vary widely with the operation.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses medicines that kill or slow cancer cells. It is given as a drip or tablets in cycles with rest periods between them. It may be given before surgery to shrink a tumour, after surgery to lower the chance of return, or as the main treatment. Common side effects include tiredness, nausea, hair loss and a higher risk of infection. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are related drug treatments that suit only some cancers; ask your oncologist whether they apply to you.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy aims high-energy beams at the tumour over a planned number of short daily sessions. The team plans the area and dose with CT or MRI scans first. It can be the main treatment, or be given after surgery to treat the area around the tumour. Skin irritation and tiredness are common, and other effects depend on the part of the body treated.

How the plan is made

A tumour board brings together the specialists involved in your case. They review your pathology report, scans and general health, and recommend a sequence of treatments. A second opinion from a board in Tabriz is a reasonable first step: it costs far less than travelling, and it can confirm your current plan or suggest another option.

What to prepare

• The pathology (biopsy) report, with slides or blocks if your hospital can release them.
• Recent CT, MRI or PET scan reports, and the images on a disc or by secure link.
• A summary of treatment so far: operations, chemotherapy drugs and dates, radiotherapy dose and dates.
• Recent blood tests and a list of every medicine you take.
• A letter from your oncologist, ideally stating your current stage and plan.

Your journey with Tabriz Health, step by step

1. Request a free consultation. Send your diagnosis and the documents above.
2. Receive options and written opinions. Our coordinators can share your reports with centers in Tabriz and pass on any written opinions and quotes they return.
3. Optional online visit. You can request a paid online video visit with a doctor, where one is available, before deciding to travel.
4. Visa and travel planning. Our coordinators can help plan dates, accommodation and transfers. Read our visa guide, and travel with a companion if you can.
5. Assessment and treatment in Tabriz. The team re-checks your tests, confirms the plan with you and starts treatment.
6. Follow-up at home. Agree in advance with your local oncologist who will do scans, blood tests and further cycles.

Choosing a center

• Does the center hold a valid licence, and are the doctors registered with the Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRIMC)?
• Does it have surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy under one roof, with a regular tumour board?
• Is there intensive care and a team that can manage side effects and emergencies?
• Will you receive a written plan that lists the number of cycles or sessions, hospital nights, tests and follow-up?
• Who is responsible for your care once you are home, and how can you reach the team?

Costs

Cost depends on the type and stage of cancer, the operation, the drugs and the number of radiotherapy sessions. Compare written quotes item by item and check whether drugs, scans and hospital nights are included. For general ranges, see our guide to the cost of surgery in Iran.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose cancer surgery or cancer treatment?

They are not alternatives. Surgery is one treatment inside cancer care. For many cancers the best result comes from combining surgery with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and your tumour board decides the mix.

Can I get a second opinion before travelling?

Yes. Send your pathology report and scans, and our coordinators can ask centers in Tabriz for a written opinion. A final plan is made only after an in-person assessment.

Can I have chemotherapy in Tabriz and continue at home?

Often, but only if your home oncologist agrees to take over the remaining cycles and monitor you. Settle this before you travel.

Is it safe to travel during cancer treatment?

That depends on your blood counts, your recent treatment and your doctor's advice. Ask your oncologist before booking a flight.

Start planning your treatment

Start by requesting a free consultation. If you would like to talk to a doctor first, request an online visit, where one is available.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace an examination by a qualified doctor who knows your case. Read our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.