Best Esophageal Cancer Doctors in Turkey for Australians

Professor Bulent Karagoz has performed 900+ oncology procedures and leads the medical oncology team at Anadolu Medical Centre.

• Specialises in immunotherapy and targeted therapies for patients with esophageal tumours
• Former Head of Medical Oncology at GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital
• Expert in tumour biology and immunology to improve treatment resistance
• Member of the European Head and Neck Society and Turkish Medical Oncology Association
• Author of over 40 research papers focused on finding better cancer outcomes

Professor Eda Tanrikulu is a high-achieving medical oncologist at Anadolu Medical Center. She ranked third nationwide in Turkey's competitive subspecialty exams and leads major clinical trials for gastrointestinal cancers.

• Specialises in medical oncology and chemotherapy for esophageal cancer cases
• Uses individualised treatment protocols tailored to specific genetic markers
• Completed specialist training in medical oncology at Marmara University
• Member of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
• Trained at Oxford University in England on metastatic cancer management

Associate Professor Mustafa Solak is a specialist medical oncologist who refined his expertise at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

• Specialises in gastrointestinal cancers including tumours of the oesophagus
• Completed a high-level fellowship at the prestigious Hacettepe University Cancer Institute
• Focuses on precision medical oncology to target cancer cells effectively
• Practices at Hisar Hospital, a major JCI-accredited facility in Istanbul

The doctor completed medical education and general surgery specialization at Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, followed by a Gastroenterology Surgery Specialization at Kartal Koşuyolu Yüksek İhtisas Training and Research Hospital, ranking in the top 3 in the minor examination. The doctor received a scholarship from the Turkish Surgery Association to work at Mayo Clinic in the Hepatopancreatobiliary and Obesity-Metabolic Surgery Clinics.

Upon returning to Turkey, the doctor co-founded the Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery unit at Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital and later established the Gastroenterology Surgery Clinic at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital. The doctor has performed over 400 pancreatic and gastric cancer surgeries, over 200 liver surgeries, and numerous surgeries related to gallbladder, biliary tract diseases, and obesity-metabolic conditions.

Dr. Vafi Atalay is an experienced oncological and general surgeon with 17 years in the field. He specializes in pancreatic, colon, rectal, and liver surgeries. He also performs advanced endoscopic procedures. Dr. Atalay has published 31 articles in national and international journals, making valuable contributions to medical literature.

He received the first prize at the 20th Congress Research Paper Competition. He also won the Best Research Award at the 5th Surgeon Research Congress. Dr. Atalay is a member of TSS, the Palestinian Medical Association, and IOA. His active involvement in these organizations shows his dedication to professional growth and surgical excellence.

Associate Professor Gorkem Turkkan is a specialist in precision radiation therapy, having performed over 2,500 sessions using MR-Linac technology for complex tumours.

• Specialises in MR-guided radiotherapy, allowing for real-time imaging to protect healthy tissue during treatment
• Completed clinical research at the MAASTRO Clinic in the Netherlands, focusing on lung toxicity and proton therapy
• Expert in Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) for more efficient and faster radiation delivery
• Fellow of the European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)
• Utilises stereotactic 'pinpoint' radiotherapy to treat tumours with extreme accuracy and fewer sessions

The doctor graduated from Istanbul University, Istanbul Medicine Faculty in 2007 and completed a specialization in surgery at Sisli Etfal Education and Research Hospital in 2013. Further advancing their expertise, they joined the General Surgery Clinic at Istanbul Okan University in 2020.

With extensive experience in various medical institutions, the doctor has worked at Sisli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Siverek State Hospital, and Anadolu Medical Center. They are a member of several prestigious organizations, including the European Society of Coloproctology and the Turkish Surgical Society.

The doctor holds numerous certifications, such as the Turkish Surgical Association Qualification Certificate and has completed advanced courses in endoscopy, bariatric surgery, and laser techniques for hemorrhoidal diseases.

Dr. Banu Atalar is a board-certified radiation oncologist (Türkiye, 2004). She is a Full Professor at Acibadem MAA University (2018–present) and a clinician at Anadolu Medical Center (2026–present). She trained at Istanbul and Cerrahpaşa. In 2011, she completed a Stanford clinical research fellowship in stereotactic radiosurgery. Her practice focuses on CNS, thoracic, and GI tumors. About 75% of her care involves SRS and MR‑guided adaptive SRS.

Her honors include the ASCO IDEA award (2004), the IASLC International Mentorship Award (2018), and H.FACR (2025). She has 72 international peer‑reviewed publications. Her leadership roles include President of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (2025–27) and Chair of the ESTRO National Societies Committee (2024–27). She served on the ASCO Resource‑Stratified Guidelines Committee (2013–18) and on RSS meeting and nomination committees. She organized national congresses (2023, 2025) and has been an invited speaker at major meetings.

Prof. Hüseyin Baloğlu is a pathology specialist at Anadolu Medical Center in Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey. He focuses on molecular pathology, surgical pathology, and tumour biopsy and diagnostics.

Education and accreditations: MD, GATA Medical School (1986). Pathology specialty training, GATA (1992). Associate Professor (Doçent), GATA (2004). Visiting scholar at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (New York) and Heidelberg University.

Achievements: author of over 600 peer‑reviewed publications. Holds a patent in molecular diagnostics for thyroid cancer. Leads liquid biopsy and precision oncology services.

Professor Sezer Sağlam is a senior medical oncologist at Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital specialising in gastrointestinal cancers. He holds a professorship from Istanbul University Oncology Institute – one of Turkey's premier cancer research facilities.

• Focuses on gastrointestinal oncology including tumours of the oesophagus and stomach
• Completed a dedicated fellowship in medical oncology at Istanbul Medical Faculty
• Member of the European Neuroendocrine Tumour Society (ENETS)
• Holds active memberships with both ASCO and ESMO for global oncology standards

Personal information

Title: Professor Doctor

Branch: Radiation Oncology

Work History:

1 GATA Military Medical Faculty

2 Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital

3 T.R. Demiroğlu Bilim University \ Associate Professor

4 T.R Demiroğlu Bilim University \ Professor

Medical Specialties and Subspecialties:

1 Head and Neck Cancers

2 Radiation Oncology

Priority treatments:

1 Prostate cancer

2 Conformal treatments

Special advanced health technologies:

1 Truebeam Stx Technology

2 Halcyons

Education

1991 - Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine

1996 - Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine Radiation

Oncology Specialization Training

Professor Yahya Ozel holds a fellowship in hepatobiliary surgery from Tokyo University Hospital, where he trained in stomach and oesophageal oncology under global leaders.

• Specialises in oncological surgery using advanced laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques
• Uses surgical endoscopy – allowing for internal imaging and tissue sampling without large incisions
• Holds the Turkish Surgical Proficiency Certificate for high standards in surgical practice
• Former academic faculty member at Dogus University training future specialist surgeons
• Maintains expertise in endocrine and hepatobiliary systems for complex cancer cases

Associate Professor Hasan Mutlu leads the medical oncology department at Medical Park Antalya, focusing on targeted therapies for gastrointestinal malignancies.

• Specialises in targeted cancer therapies that attack specific cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue
• Uses immunotherapy to boost the immune system's natural ability to fight tumours
• Provides next-generation genetic research to identify the most effective medication for each case
• Completed research at Akdeniz University – a top-tier Turkish medical institution
• Expert in managing complex chemotherapy protocols and complementary medicine

Associate Professor Abdullah Sakin is the former Head of Medical Oncology at Yüzüncü Yıl University. He currently leads oncology services at Medipol Bahçelievler University Hospital.

• Specialises in medical oncology for gastrointestinal conditions including oesophageal tumours
• Served as a Clinical Education Officer at Prof Dr Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital
• Directs multidisciplinary treatment plans involving chemotherapy and targeted biological therapies
• Fellow of the Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul

The doctor specializes in managing breast cancer, colorectal, and urogenital system cancers. With extensive experience since 2014 at Anadolu Medical Center, the doctor has previously served at Medical Park Hospital, Kocaeli Derince Education and Research Hospital, and Erzurum Regional Education and Research Hospital. The doctor's military service included a role as a Medical Oncology specialist at Gülhane Military Medical Academy.

Educational achievements include a degree in general medicine from Istanbul University and specializations in internal medicine and medical oncology. The doctor is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, the Turkish Medical Oncology Society, and the Turkish Lung Cancer Society.

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

• Co-authored the 'Handbook of Advanced Cancer Care Treatment' on precision medicine protocols
• Completed specialist immunooncology training at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in London
• Holds an ESMO attestation certificate from the European Society of Medical Oncology
• Manages complex esophageal cases using precision medicine to match treatments to tumour genetics
• Published over 80 research papers on gastrointestinal oncology and modern cancer diagnostics

Dr Rahib Hasanov is a specialist medical oncologist at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental who focuses on gastrointestinal system tumours, including complex cancers of the oesophagus.

• Completed a medical fellowship at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, USA
• Specialises in immunotherapy and targeted therapies for oesophageal cancer cases
• Focuses on personalised oncology, tailoring 'smart drug' treatments to each patient
• Fellowship-trained in medical oncology at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine
• Member of the American-trained observership programme for modern oncological practices

The doctor is an ECFMG and ESMO-certified medical and breast oncologist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in solid cancer, breast cancer, colorectal, and lung cancer treatment. Since 2016, the doctor has been a medical oncology specialist at Anadolu Medical Center.

The doctor graduated from Gülhane Military Medical Academy with a degree in general medicine and completed specialties in internal and medical oncology. The doctor has been a professor and associate professor at Gülhane Military Medical Academy, contributing significantly to medical education.

With over 110 papers on cancer management, the doctor is a member of several prestigious oncology organizations.

Professor Sadi Kerem Okutur has performed over 1,100 oncology treatments and holds the prestigious Oncology Research Award from the Turkish Medical Oncology Association.

• Specialises in medical oncology at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital
• Member of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
• Authored 10 book chapters regarding cancer treatment protocols
• Focuses on immuno-oncology – using the immune system to fight tumours
• Previously worked at Florence Nightingale and Acibadem hospital groups