Assist. Prof. M.D. Zeynep Güral Reviews

My 82-year-old mother was diagnosed with spinal metastases from breast cancer, and her pain was unbearable. Dr. Zeynep Güral didn't just see a case file; she saw a person. She explained stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in such simple terms, even my mother understood. What struck me was how she knelt by the wheelchair to speak directly to Mom, holding her hand while explaining the precise targeting that would spare healthy tissue. The treatment itself was over in minutes, and within two weeks, Mom was gardening again. Dr. Güral's combination of technical mastery and profound human warmth is something I've never encountered in 30 years of caring for my parents.

Our 7-year-old son, Ali, was diagnosed with a rare brainstem tumor. The world collapsed. At Acibadem Atakent, Dr. Güral approached his proton therapy planning like an artist crafting a masterpiece. She used colored markers to draw the 'radiation superheroes' on his MRI scans, showing how they would only fight the 'bad cells.' She coordinated with the anesthesiologists to make his daily sessions under sedation feel like space adventures. Her follow-up calls to our home weren't just clinical; she remembered his toy dinosaur's name. Six months later, his latest scan shows remarkable reduction. She didn't just treat a tumor; she protected a childhood.

I presented as an emergency referral with severe dysphagia—a 4.5 cm esophageal carcinoma completely blocking solid food. Dr. Güral's approach was a rapid, multidisciplinary blitz. Within 48 hours, she had convened a virtual tumor board with medical oncology and thoracic surgery, mapping a neoadjuvant chemoradiation strategy. She personally adjusted the IMRT plan three times based on my daily CT guidance, obsessed with sparing my heart and lungs. The precision was unnerving; I had almost no side effects beyond mild fatigue. Now, post-surgery pathology shows complete pathological response. She turned a dire emergency into a textbook success story through sheer, meticulous aggression.

As a 45-year-old with early-stage laryngeal cancer, I expected a routine consultation. Dr. Güral transformed it into a masterclass in patient autonomy. She presented three detailed radiation options: conventional fractionation, a slightly accelerated regimen, and a hypofractionated protocol with specific data on voice preservation rates for each. She then did something extraordinary—she asked about my profession (I'm a teacher) and redesigned the schedule to minimize voice strain during peak teaching hours. Her follow-up visits include videostroboscopy to assess vocal cord vibration, something no one else offered. She treats routine cases with non-routine depth, making you feel like you're her only patient.