Is VATS as effective as open surgery?

Lung Cancer Surgery in Istanbul

Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Selim Koç · thoracic surgical oncology
Reviewed 02 Jul 2026 · next review Jan 2027

Consent verified

Reviewed by Prof. Dr. Selim Koç
02 Jul 2026 · consent verified

In short

VATS lobectomy at JCI hospitals costs $14,000–19,500 — about 60% less than Germany. Scheduled 3–7 days after review. A free 72h second opinion tells you if resection is indicated.

VATS lung lobectomy at JCI-accredited Istanbul hospitals costs $14,000–19,500 — about 60% less than typical German prices for the same protocol. Surgery is typically scheduled 3–7 days after case review. A free 72-hour tumor-board second opinion tells you whether resection is indicated and, if so, which approach.

What it costs

UPDATED Q3 2026PLACEHOLDER — PENDING Q3 2026 QUOTES

VATS lung lobectomy

$14,000–19,500

Germany typical $42,000 · −60%

Includes surgery, anesthesia, ICU day, 4–6 nights inpatient, pathology incl. nodes, follow-up. Ranges come from partner-hospital quotes, updated quarterly.

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What it costs

Q3 2026

VATS lobectomy

$14,000–19,500

Germany: $42,000 · placeholder

Get an exact quote for your case

When surgery is indicated

Usually considered for early-stage disease confined to the lung after PET-CT staging shows no spread. Minimally invasive VATS is preferred over open surgery whenever tumor location allows.

Surgical resection is usually considered for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer confined to the lung, once imaging and staging (typically including PET-CT) show no spread beyond the chest. Minimally invasive VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery) is preferred over open thoracotomy whenever tumor location and size allow it.

Surgery is typically appropriate when

Tumor confined to one lobe · no distant metastasis on PET-CT · patient fit for lobectomy on lung-function testing

The board may advise treatment first when

Tumor invades central structures · mediastinal lymph node involvement · borderline lung function requiring a smaller resection or non-surgical approach

Not sure surgery applies to you?

Send your reports — the tumor board answers in 72 hours. Free, no travel.

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The operation

VATS lobectomyVATS lung lobectomy

minimally invasive · 2–4 h · 4–6 nights

Affected lobe removed through small incisions with a thoracoscopic camera. Nodes sampled for staging in the same operation. Faster recovery than open surgery.The affected lobe is removed through several small incisions using a thoracoscopic camera, rather than a large open chest incision. Lymph nodes are sampled for staging during the same operation. Recovery and return to normal breathing capacity are faster than with open thoracotomy.

Typical timeline

Arrival → surgery

Inpatient

Fit to fly home

VATS lobectomy

3–5 days

4–6 nights

day 12–16

Not sure surgery applies to you?

Free 72h answer — upload reports

Who operates

Prof. Dr. Selim Koç

Thoracic surgical oncology · 19 yrs · 720 cases

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Hospital options

Two states of the same component — before and after your personal quote.

state 1 · pre-quote (anonymized)

Hospital AJCI

$9,200–11,800

Hospital BJCI

$8,500–10,400

Hospital C

$10,900–12,600

Names revealed with your personal quote

state 2 · post-quote (named)

Pera Oncology Center

JCI ACCREDITED · 2024

Named in your quote[placeholder name]

Your itemized quote$16,800

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Fair questionsFair questions about lung surgery

For eligible early-stage tumors, yes — equivalent outcomes to open surgery, with less pain and faster recovery. The board checks eligibility first.

For eligible early-stage tumors, yes — oncologic outcomes are equivalent to open thoracotomy, with less pain, a shorter hospital stay, and faster return of lung function. Eligibility depends on tumor size and location, which is exactly what the tumor board reviews first.

Every cancer case is individual. Assessments are based on the reports you provide and do not replace in-person examination. Survival statistics are population-level data, not personal predictions.

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