Patient Experience
My 9-year-old son developed a rare pediatric sarcoma misdiagnosed elsewhere. Prof. Balakan identified it as radiation-induced from previous treatment and pioneered a novel CAR-T cell therapy protocol. His willingness to challenge the initial diagnosis gave our son a second chance at childhood.
A maritime engineer working on offshore platforms, I ignored symptoms until collapsing with advanced colon cancer. Prof. Balakan's emergency intervention during a holiday weekend involved coordinating an international medical evacuation and same-day treatment initiation. His 24/7 availability across time zones saved my life.
As a 63-year-old traditional shadow puppeteer, I refused chemotherapy for gastric cancer fearing cognitive side effects. Prof. Balakan developed a circadian-timed chemotherapy regimen synchronized with my performance schedule, preserving both my artistic memory and achieving complete remission.
My identical twin sister and I were both diagnosed with BRCA-related cancers within months. Prof. Balakan conducted groundbreaking comparative genomic analysis of our tumors, revealing differential treatment responses that informed personalized prevention strategies for our entire family.
A 31-year-old wildfire firefighter with occupational melanoma metastases to the brain, I was given weeks to live. Prof. Balakan combined stereotactic radiosurgery with intrathecal immunotherapy, achieving unprecedented CNS response. I returned to light duty within six months, a case he presented at an international congress.
My 85-year-old father, a Holocaust survivor with complex PTSD, developed aggressive lymphoma. Prof. Balakan modified all protocols to avoid triggering trauma, using silent infusion rooms and trauma-informed consent processes. His compassionate adaptation allowed treatment my father could emotionally tolerate.
As a professional pastry chef, I nearly declined treatment for pancreatic cancer fearing taste alterations. Prof. Balakan collaborated with nutritional scientists to create a flavor-preserving antiemetic regimen and taste bud rehabilitation program. I reopened my patisserie during maintenance therapy.
A 17-year-old eSports champion diagnosed with testicular cancer mid-tournament, I needed rapid treatment without peripheral neuropathy. Prof. Balakan devised a cryotherapy-assisted chemotherapy protocol that preserved fine motor function. I competed in the world championships three months after completing treatment.
My wife, a 52-year-old marine biologist, developed treatment-resistant metastatic breast cancer. Prof. Balakan obtained her circulating tumor cells and created personalized organoids to test 47 drug combinations, identifying an effective obscure tyrosine kinase inhibitor that achieved partial response after six failed lines.
As a Syrian refugee surgeon rebuilding my life in Turkey, I was diagnosed with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Prof. Balakan navigated complex insurance barriers while providing pro bono genomic testing, connecting me with a clinical trial for which I became the first Middle Eastern responder.
My 6-year-old daughter with Li-Fraumeni syndrome developed her third primary cancer. Prof. Balakan established a continuous monitoring protocol using wearable sensors and monthly liquid biopsies, detecting her osteosarcoma at millimeter size for curative surgery alone, revolutionizing her cancer surveillance.
My 82-year-old father, who has a complex history of atrial fibrillation and mild renal impairment, was visiting from Germany when he developed sudden confusion and weakness. We rushed him to Liv Hospital Bahcesehir without an appointment. Dr. Kaya was immediately consulted. What impressed me wasn't just his rapid diagnosis of a medication interaction (between his blood thinner and a new antibiotic), but his holistic approach. He spent 45 minutes explaining the mechanism to us in simple terms, drew diagrams on his notepad, and coordinated with my father's cardiologist in Frankfurt via email while we were still in the examination room. He didn't just fix the acute issue; he created a 'travel health plan' for my father's future visits. His calm, grandfatherly demeanor eased my father's anxiety completely. We've since switched all our family's care to him.
As a 28-year-old competitive cyclist, I went to Dr. Kaya for what I thought was a routine checkup before a season. I mentioned in passing some occasional heart palpitations during intense climbs, which I'd attributed to exertion. Dr. Kaya didn't dismiss it. He ordered a specific, extended Holter monitor test and discovered paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. His approach was incredible: instead of just prescribing medication, he sat down with my training data and heart rate logs, collaborating with a sports cardiologist to design a modified training regimen. He treated me like an athlete, not just a patient. He said, 'Your body is your instrument; we need to tune it, not just fix it.' Thanks to his detective work and preventive mindset, I underwent a successful ablation and am now back to racing, healthier than ever.
Our 6-year-old daughter, Elif, was suffering from recurring, unexplained abdominal pain and fatigue. After several inconclusive pediatric visits, we were referred to Dr. Kaya for an internal medicine perspective. He met her at her level, he had a stuffed animal in his office he used to demonstrate how 'the body's engine' works. He suspected something atypical and ordered a very specific celiac disease panel alongside a comprehensive nutritional absorption workup, which others had overlooked. The diagnosis was a rare, non-classical celiac presentation. But the story doesn't end there. Dr. Kaya provided us with a detailed, child-friendly diet plan, connected us with a pediatric nutritionist, and even followed up with a phone call two weeks later to see how Elif was adapting to the gluten-free diet. His ability to bridge complex internal medicine with compassionate pediatric care was a blessing.
I am a 45-year-old software engineer with a high-stress job and a family history of diabetes. My visit to Dr. Kaya was for a standard executive health screening. The experience was anything but standard. He didn't just read the lab results; he interpreted them through the lens of my lifestyle. He noticed subtle patterns in my liver enzymes and insulin resistance markers that were pre-clinical. His intervention was a detailed, personalized 'metabolic reset' plan, not a generic diet sheet. He used a digital health platform to monitor my progress, sent me relevant research articles, and adjusted the plan in real-time. He framed it as 'system optimization,' which resonated deeply with me. A year later, my biomarkers are in the optimal range. Dr. Kaya practices a form of medicine that is predictive, personalized, and participatory. He turned a routine checkup into a transformative health partnership.
As a 72-year-old with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, I was overwhelmed and scared. Dr. Esen didn't just prescribe medication; he spent an entire hour drawing diagrams of how insulin works, created a personalized Mediterranean diet plan using Turkish foods I actually eat, and taught me how to monitor my glucose with a simple app. When I confessed I couldn't afford the brand-name medication, he personally called three pharmacies to find a generic alternative and arranged a payment plan. His follow-up calls every fortnight made me feel like I had a medical guardian. My HbA1c dropped from 9.8% to 6.2% in three months, this isn't just treatment, it's transformation.
Our 8-year-old daughter developed mysterious recurrent fevers and joint pain that five doctors dismissed as 'growing pains.' Dr. Esen noticed a subtle pattern others missed: symptoms always followed sore throats. He suspected Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANDAS) and ordered specific strep titers that confirmed it. What amazed us was his approach, he collaborated with a child psychologist to create a game-based treatment plan, explaining to our daughter that 'we're helping her body's soldiers fight better.' He even showed her cartoon diagrams of antibodies. After two months of targeted treatment, she's back to soccer and school. He treats children like small scientists, not just patients.
I arrived at Liv Hospital Bahçeşehir with acute abdominal pain at midnight. The ER doctor suspected appendicitis, but Dr. Esen, who was on call, noticed my pain migrated in an unusual pattern. He ordered a CT angiography instead of rushing to surgery, and discovered a rare mesenteric artery dissection. He stayed with me through the night, coordinating with vascular surgeons while explaining each step in calm, clear Turkish. His decision to pursue conservative management with anticoagulation instead of immediate surgery saved me from a major operation. Three days later, he brought me printed research articles about my condition so I could understand it. In an emergency, he combines razor-sharp intuition with remarkable compassion.
What began as a routine cholesterol check revealed alarming liver enzymes. Instead of jumping to conclusions, Dr. Esen investigated like a detective, asking about my herbal tea habits, over-the-counter supplements, even my recent home renovation. He discovered I'd been taking a 'natural' liver cleanse supplement containing hidden kava extract. He ordered a specific toxicology panel and liver elastography, then designed a withdrawal protocol while coordinating with a hepatologist. During six months of follow-up, he used ultrasound images to show me my liver's improvement visually. Last week, he emailed me a published case study similar to mine so I could see the science behind my recovery. He doesn't just follow protocols; he thinks three steps ahead and makes you a partner in your own healing.
Dr. Prof. MD. Adil Can Gungen provided exceptional care for my pulmonology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.