Best Rectal Cancer Doctors in Turkey for Australians

Dr. Bulent Karagoz is a medical oncologist at Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul. He specializes in immunotherapy and targeted therapies for sarcoma, lymphoma, and lung cancer. Dr. Karagoz provides treatment at a facility affiliated with the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital.

• Authored over 40 research publications focusing on tumor biology and immunology.
• Former Head of Internal Diseases at Istanbul Okan University Faculty of Medicine.
• Held leadership roles in medical oncology at GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital.
• Member of the Turkish Medical Oncology Association and European Head and Neck Society.

Associate Professor Eda Tanrikulu ranked 3rd in Turkey's national medical specialty exam and leads colorectal cancer initiatives at the JCI-accredited Anadolu Medical Center.

• Completed the Colorectal Cancer Exchange Programme in Shanghai to refine treatment protocols
• Attended Oxford University's preceptorship on managing metastatic colorectal cancer cases
• Uses personalised chemotherapy and targeted biological therapies for rectal tumours
• Active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• Former head of the medical oncology unit at Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital

Dr. Vafi Atalay is a colorectal and general surgeon at Anadolu Medical Center. He developed the tube ileostomy technique to eliminate the need for ostomy-closure surgery. This method was published in the journal Colorectal Disease. Dr. Atalay specializes in pancreatic, colon, rectal, and liver cancers.

• Winner of the Gold Medal Award at the Istanbul International Invention Fair.
• Authored over 30 articles in national and international medical journals.
• Received the Best Scientific Research Award from several surgical congresses.
• Practices at a clinic affiliated with the top-ranked Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Dr. Koray Karabulut is a general surgeon at Memorial Göztepe Hospital in Istanbul. He specializes in liver transplantation and robotic HPB surgery. He completed a research fellowship in liver tumors at the Cleveland Clinic. He also trained in minimally invasive surgery at IRCAD in France.

• Served as the responsible specialist at Fırat University Liver Transplant Center.
• Completed specialized robotic HPB surgery training at Ageo Medical Center in Japan.
• Authored clinical guidelines for the Turkish Surgical Society.
• Published over 400 scientific papers in journals like Surgery and Surg Endosc.

Dr. Banu Atalar is a professor and radiation oncologist at Anadolu Medical Center. She is an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Radiology (H.FACR). She completed a clinical research fellowship in stereotactic radiosurgery at Stanford University. Stereotactic radiosurgery and MR-guided adaptive SRS make up 75% of her clinical practice.

• President of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology.
• Chair of the ESTRO National Societies Committee.
• Recipient of the ASCO International Development and Education Award.
• Author of over 70 international peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Huseyin Baloglu is a pathologist at Anadolu Medical Center in Turkey. He leads liquid biopsy and precision oncology services. Dr. Baloglu holds a patent for molecular diagnostics in thyroid cancer treatment. He completed training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Heidelberg University.

• Authored over 600 peer-reviewed publications in molecular and surgical pathology.
• Specializes in tumor biopsy, immunohistochemistry, and genetic mutation testing.
• Treats complex oncological cases, including glioblastoma and rare sarcomas.
• Works at Anadolu Medical Center, a facility affiliated with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Professor Sezer Sağlam is a senior medical oncologist at Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital, where he focuses on gastrointestinal malignancies like rectal cancer.

• Held a long-term position as an attending physician in gastrointestinal oncology at Istanbul University.
• Member of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society, specialising in complex hormonal and digestive tumours.
• Trained at Istanbul University Oncology Institute, a premier centre for cancer research and clinical care.
• Maintains international standards through active membership in ESMO and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Ayshe Okumush is a radiation oncologist at Private NeoLife Medical Center. She earned her MD from Karadeniz Technical University in 2003. She completed a residency in radiation oncology at Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital from 2006 to 2011.

She served as a specialist at Diyarbakir Uckuyular Training and Research Hospital from 2011 to 2013 and at Sisli Etfal from 2013 to 2016. She then worked at Yeni Yuzyil University Private Gaziosmanpasa Hospital from 2016 to 2026. She joined NeoLife in 2026.

Memberships: Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TROD) and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO). Clinical focus: SRS, SRT, SBRT; VMAT, IMRT; radiotherapy for head and neck, lung, and brain tumors; SGRT, TBI, and 3D brachytherapy.

Professor Sefik Igdem leads radiation oncology at Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital, specialising in high-precision radiotherapy for rectal tumours.

• Uses TrueBeam STx technology to deliver high-dose radiation with sub-millimetre accuracy
• Specialises in conformal radiotherapy which shapes beams to the tumour to protect surrounding healthy tissue
• Professor at Demiroglu Bilim University – training the next generation of oncology specialists
• Uses Halcyon systems to shorten treatment times and improve patient comfort during sessions
• Focuses on gastrointestinal oncology including complex rectal and oesophageal cases

Dr. Mehmet Salih Iyikesici is a medical oncologist. His work focuses on metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT), ketogenic diet–supported cancer care, hyperthermia, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and insulin potentiation therapy. He emphasizes care for breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancers.

He is a Medical Oncology Specialist at Neolife Medical Center (2026–present). He previously served at Private Bahçelievler Medical Park (2013–2026), Medicana Beylikdüzü (2010–2013), Silivri Anadolu (2009–2010), Diyarbakır Training and Research (2008–2009), and Bursa Çekirge State (2006–2008). Earlier, he worked as an Internal Medicine Specialist (1997–2003). He was an Assistant Professor at Altınbaş University (2014–2026).

Training: Medical Oncology subspecialty, Marmara University (2003–2006). Internal Medicine, Istanbul Haydarpaşa Numune (1992–1996). Medicine, Uludağ University (1985–1990). Member, Medical Oncology Association (since 2004). His recent research (2019–2020) covers gastric, breast, pancreatic, and lung cancers. Topics include long‑term survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer and feasibility in metastatic non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Dr Sinan Karaaslan has overseen more than 900 oncological procedures and leads the medical oncology department at the JCI-accredited Anadolu Medical Center.

• Specialises in managing metastatic rectal cancer cases, including stage IV adenocarcinomas
• Fellowship trained in medical oncology at the Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty
• Provides multidisciplinary second opinions for complex gastrointestinal malignancies
• Member of the Turkish Medical Oncology Society and the Turkish Lung Cancer Society

Professor Serkan Keskin is a pioneer in personalised cancer therapy, having led Turkey's national oncology proficiency exams. He heads the Oncology Centre at Memorial Şişli Hospital, where he has performed over 900 procedures.

• Uses genetic mapping of 600+ genes to tailor specific drug therapies
• Specialises in immunotherapy and targeted therapy for complex cases
• Active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• Published over 40 research articles in international medical journals

Professor Mustafa Solak deepened his oncology expertise at the MD Anderson Cancer Center – arguably the world's most prestigious cancer institution. He focuses on gastrointestinal cancers, providing evidence-based care for complex rectal cases.

• Trained at the Hacettepe University Cancer Institute, a premier national research centre
• Specialises in medical oncology for gastrointestinal and colorectal tumours
• Uses systemic therapies to shrink tumours before surgery or manage advanced disease
• Member of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate surgery and radiation plans

Professor Kivanc Derya Peker is a specialist gastroenterology surgeon who trained at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in the USA. He established the Gastroenterology Surgery Clinic at Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital.

• Holds a PhD in medical biology and cancer biology for deeper insights into tumour behaviour
• Specialises in gastroenterology surgery involving the digestive tract and bowel
• Performs liver and stomach cancer surgeries with high precision and volume
• Member of the Turkish Surgical Association with specialist training in digestive system disorders

Dr. Mehmet Akif Ozturk is a medical oncology specialist at Memorial Şişli Hospital in Istanbul. He currently serves as a faculty member at Üsküdar University. Dr. Ozturk previously held a faculty position at Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital. He treats patients at a JCI-accredited facility known for its high organ transplant success rates.

• Specializes in clinical oncology for local and international patients.
• Practices at Memorial Şişli, the first hospital in Turkey to earn JCI accreditation.
• Serves as a medical oncology specialist in Istanbul since 2018.
• Held specialist roles at several major Turkish medical centers throughout his career.

Associate Professor Gorkem Turkkan is a leader in precision radiation oncology, having successfully completed more than 2,500 sessions using the MR-Linac device.

• Specialises in MRI-guided radiotherapy – provides real-time imaging during treatment to hit tumours with pinpoint accuracy while sparing healthy tissue
• Completed a clinical research fellowship at the MAASTRO Clinic in the Netherlands focusing on stereotactic treatments
• Expert in Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) for fast, targeted delivery of radiation to rectal tumours
• Member of the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)

Professor Yesim Yildirim is a leading medical oncologist at Anadolu Medical Center, specialising in immunotherapy and targeted treatments for gastrointestinal tumours.

• Awarded the Orazio Rudell Fellowship for her work in colorectal oncology in London
• Uses precision medicine to tailor cancer treatments to a patient's specific genetic profile
• Active member of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) since 2011
• Co-authored the 'Handbook of Advanced Cancer Care Treatment' for specialist medical training
• Completed immunooncology training at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London

Dr. Mustafa Ozdogan is a professor and medical oncology specialist at Memorial Göztepe Hospital. He is the current President of the Antalya Breast Cancer Association. Dr. Ozdogan previously led oncology departments at Memorial Antalya and Medstar Antalya hospitals. He focuses on a multidisciplinary approach to complex cancer care.

• Sits on the board of the Turkish Society of Medical Oncology.
• Maintains active membership in ESMO and ASCO.
• Co-chairs the national working group for head and neck cancers.
• Works at Memorial Göztepe, which features MR Linac and robotic surgery systems.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Heves Sürmeli is a specialist in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology. She received her medical degree (M.D.) from Eskişehir Osmangazi University in 2004. She completed her Internal Medicine residency at Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul (2005–2010). She then completed subspecialty training in Medical Oncology at the same hospital (2014–2017).

At the same center, she served as a Medical Oncology Specialist (2017–2023). She then worked as Administrative and Clinical Director (2023–2026). Her clinical interests include breast, lung, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, and urologic cancers.

She has published many articles in international peer‑reviewed journals. She has presented at national and international conferences. She is active in professional societies. She has received several awards.

Dr. Eda Tanrikulu is a clinical oncologist at Anadolu Medical Center in Istanbul. She ranked 3rd nationally in Turkey's minor specialty medical exam. Dr. Tanrikulu specializes in chemotherapy and individualized cancer treatments. She works at a facility affiliated with the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

• Served as the head of the medical oncology unit at Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital.
• Participated in global training at Oxford University and ESMO in Manchester.
• Treats gastrointestinal, urological, lung, and breast cancers.
• Member of the American and European Societies of Medical Oncology.