Stem cell therapy in Istanbul
Almost all cell therapy for international patients in Türkiye happens in Istanbul, because that is where the licensed GMP laboratories and the internationally accredited hospitals are. This page covers the city-level practicalities: who treats you, where, in what order, and what to verify before you book a flight.
Where treatment happens
Two things must be true at once: the cells must be made in a licensed facility, and they must be given in a hospital that is competent to manage a reaction. Our programmes use a licensed GMP laboratory for manufacturing and a JCI-accredited hospital in Beşiktaş for administration.
The laboratory
Manufacturing, expansion and release testing. GMP laboratory entity page →
The hospital
Administration and inpatient cover. Liv Hospital Ulus entity page →
The physician
Named, licensed and accountable for your care. Medical reviewer and director →
The city
Access, districts, transfers and how a medical visit works locally. Istanbul entity page →
Where is stem cell therapy given in Istanbul and what does the visit involve?
Treatment here takes place at Liv Hospital Ulus in Istanbul, with cells manufactured in an associated GMP laboratory. A typical visit runs five to ten days: assessment and baseline tests, product release, administration as a day case or short admission, then a review before departure. Written reports, release certificates and a follow-up schedule are issued before you fly home.
Key facts
- Hospital
- Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul
- Laboratory
- GMP-certified cell manufacturing facility
- Visit length
- 5 – 10 days typical
- Documents issued
- Release certificate, treatment report, follow-up plan
What we know
- Administration in a hospital setting allows monitoring for infusion reactions and immediate management if they occur.
- Product release testing is completed before administration, not afterwards.
What remains uncertain
- Whether any individual patient benefits cannot be established at the time of treatment.
Medically reviewed questions
This summary is general medical information, not medical advice, and not a promise of benefit. Figures are quoted ranges, confirmed in writing after a medical review.
Medically reviewed by: Prof. Dr. Erdal Karaöz · Last updated: · Editorial and evidence policy
A typical itinerary
Anyone offering same-day treatment on arrival, without a prior records review, is skipping the step that protects you.
| Stage | Where | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
| Records review and video consultation | Remote, before travel | 3–10 days |
| Arrival, in-person examination, baseline bloods | Hospital, Istanbul | Day 1 |
| Manufacturing release and confirmation of the dose | GMP laboratory | Before administration |
| Administration (IV, intrathecal or image-guided) | Hospital, Istanbul | Day 2–4 |
| Observation and discharge review | Hospital, Istanbul | Same day to 24 hours |
| Structured follow-up | Remote, with your own physician copied | 1, 3, 6 and 12 months |
What to verify before booking
- Hospital accreditation, checked on the accreditor's own register — how to verify JCI directly.
- The Ministry of Health production licence held by the manufacturing site — licensing.
- A sample certificate of analysis — what the tests mean.
- Whether the quoted price includes hospital fees, imaging, medication and follow-up — cost breakdown.
Evidence before logistics
Practical arrangements are the easy part. The decision that matters is whether treatment is reasonable for your condition at all. What the evidence supports, how safe it is, and the per-condition panels on each treatment page are written to help you decide against your own case, including when the answer is no. Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy is not an approved treatment for these indications in the United States, the European Union or the United Kingdom. Nothing on this page is a promise of benefit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for medical treatment in Türkiye?
Requirements depend on your nationality; many nationalities enter visa-free or with an e-Visa. We can provide an invitation letter after the records review. International patient guide.
Can a family member come with me?
Yes, and for neurological or paediatric cases it is strongly encouraged. Accommodation and transfers are arranged around a companion as standard.
Is treatment done in a clinic or a hospital?
In a hospital. Intravenous and intrathecal administration should never be done in a walk-in clinic without inpatient cover.
Read next
Have your records reviewed first
Whether any of this applies to you can only be decided after a physician reviews your medical records. The review is free and there is no obligation to travel.
Request a free medical review