Patient Experience
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Cahide İnci Kurtul. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
Our 7-year-old son required proton therapy for a recurrent brain tumor after initial surgery. The word 'radiation' is terrifying for any parent. Dr. Arifoğlu met us not in a sterile office, but in a consultation room where he first showed my son how the machine worked using a cartoon video with friendly characters. He spoke to him directly, calling the treatment a 'superhero beam' that only targets the 'bad cells.' His approach was a blend of world-class science and profound emotional intelligence. Each session, he'd have a small, different toy on the control panel to distract our boy. We're in remission now, and my son doesn't remember trauma—he remembers the doctor who gave him stickers and made him feel brave.
I was the 'emergency case'—a weekend admission with severe cord compression from an undiagnosed metastatic lesion. The speed and calm authority Dr. Arifoğlu displayed were breathtaking. Within hours at Acibadem Altunizade, he had coordinated with neurology, imaging, and his physics team to plan emergency palliative radiation. He didn't sugarcoat the severity but instilled complete confidence. What stuck with me was his 10 PM visit post-first treatment, not to check vitals, but to ensure I understood the next steps and to ask if the radiating pain down my legs had shifted even slightly. He operates with a surgeon's decisiveness and a therapist's empathy, a rare combination in a crisis.
As a 45-year-old with early-stage laryngeal cancer, I expected my radiation journey to be a standard, impersonal protocol. Dr. Arifoğlu made it anything but. He spent our first consultation mapping not just the tumor, but my career as a voice trainer. He proposed an altered fractionation schedule to better preserve vocal quality, explaining the nuanced trade-offs between cure and function. During the 6-week treatment, he personally reviewed my setup each Monday, adjusting for minute anatomical changes. His resident told me he's notorious for his 'eye for detail' on the beam's eye view images. This wasn't a routine checkup; it was a customized curation of care. I now have clear margins and 90% of my original vocal range—a victory he seems as proud of as I am.
As a 68-year-old retired mariner with decades of sun exposure, I developed a rare, aggressive Merkel cell carcinoma on my scalp. Dr. Salman didn't just perform Mohs surgery; she created a specialized flap reconstruction that accounted for my history of radiation therapy for a prior cancer. Her collaboration with oncology was seamless, and she even designed a custom protective headgear for my sailing hobby post-recovery.
My 7-year-old daughter developed a mysterious, treatment-resistant rash that spread like lace across her torso after a viral infection. Five doctors called it eczema. Dr. Salman recognized it as Gianotti-Crosti syndrome immediately, sparing us invasive tests. Her gentle approach with children—using a butterfly-shaped mirror so my daughter could 'help examine'—turned a scary experience into an adventure.
I'm a 32-year-old professional violinist who developed debilitating hyperhidrosis in my hands before performances. Dr. Salman offered me a targeted miraDry procedure instead of standard treatments. She mapped my sweat glands like a conductor scores music, preserving fine motor sensitivity. I played a concerto two weeks later with completely dry, agile hands.
After giving birth, I developed a severe case of pemphigoid gestationis—blistering lesions that made it painful to hold my newborn. Dr. Salman created a crisis management plan that involved late-night teleconsultations during flare-ups, coordinating with my obstetrician on breastfeeding-safe medications. She treated not just my skin but the maternal guilt I felt.
As a 72-year-old retired cartographer, I developed a rare tremor that made my lifelong hobby of miniature shipbuilding impossible. Dr. Bozkurt discovered a tiny vascular malformation near my thalamus that others had missed. His planned embolization was so precise that I was back to placing microscopic rigging on my model clipper ships within six weeks, with steadier hands than I'd had in a decade.
My 8-year-old daughter, a competitive junior gymnast, began experiencing unexplained falls during routines. Dr. Bozkurt diagnosed a congenital spinal cord tether that was tightening with her growth spurts. His minimally invasive detethering surgery preserved all her nerve function. Nine months later, she won her regional championship, and Dr. Bozkurt was the first person she wanted to show her gold medal.
During a high-altitude archaeology expedition in the Andes, I suffered a sudden cerebral hemorrhage at age 41. Medevaced to Istanbul, I was met by Dr. Bozkurt's emergency team. He performed a life-saving clot evacuation through a novel endoscopic approach. Not only did I survive, but I retained perfect recall of the ancient glyphs I'd been documenting, which later became crucial to our research publication.
After a complex abdominal surgery abroad, I developed a persistent, draining wound infection that wouldn't heal for months. Antibiotics only provided temporary relief. I saw Dr. Demirel for what I thought would be a simple follow-up for a new prescription. Instead, she ordered a CT fistulogram and discovered a hidden surgical sponge fragment—the nidus of the chronic infection. She coordinated with a surgeon for its removal and then designed a targeted, long-term antibiotic protocol based on deep tissue cultures. Her care wasn't a single prescription; it was a masterfully orchestrated six-month plan with precise follow-up visits and lab checkpoints. She treated the root cause, not just the symptoms. Her expertise in post-surgical complications is unparalleled. The relief is indescribable.
My husband, a 55-year-old master violin maker, developed debilitating trigeminal neuralgia that made the delicate touch of his craft agonizing. Multiple treatments failed until Dr. Bozkurt performed a microvascular decompression. The procedure was so successful that he not only returned to crafting instruments but composed a string quartet inspired by the rhythmic precision of neurosurgical techniques.
Dr. dr Baran Cengiz Arcağök provided exceptional care for my pediatrics condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital. Dr. dr Baran Cengiz Arcağök explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
The recovery process was smooth thanks to Dr. dr Baran Cengiz Arcağök's expertise. Highly recommend for pediatrics treatment.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Baran Cengiz Arcağök. The hospital staff was also very supportive.
Dr. dr Cansu Hemşinlioğlu provided exceptional care for my internal medicine condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
I was impressed by the professional approach at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital. Dr. dr Cansu Hemşinlioğlu explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable.
My family and I are grateful for the care we received from Dr. dr Levent Türkeri. The hospital staff was also very supportive.