Prof. MD. Emel Sezer

A 72-year-old retired apricot orchardist from Malatya, with a lifelong history of consuming raw apricot kernels believing in their health benefits, developed acute cyanide poisoning alongside metastatic colon cancer. Dr. Sezer managed the dual crisis, discovering the kernels had masked his cancer symptoms. She implemented a tailored FOLFOX regimen while addressing chronic cyanide exposure. The patient's family, initially resistant to conventional treatment, became advocates after his remarkable recovery at 9 months, organizing community education about kernel toxicity.

A 41-year-old Syrian refugee and former mosaic artist, resettled in Mersin, presented with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Language barriers and complex trauma history complicated care. Dr. Sezer collaborated with a cultural mediator and integrated art therapy into his treatment. His tumor showed unexpected sensitivity to immunotherapy combined with targeted radiation. He not only achieved remission but began creating mosaics depicting his medical journey, exhibited at the hospital's healing arts program.

A 34-year-old pregnant woman at 22 weeks gestation was diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Sezer assembled a multidisciplinary team including maternal-fetal medicine specialists. They administered chemotherapy during pregnancy with fetal monitoring, timed delivery at 34 weeks, then completed treatment postpartum. Both mother and daughter thrived, with the case contributing to a national registry of cancer-in-pregnancy protocols that Dr. Sezer helped establish.

A 58-year-old captain of a Mersin fishing vessel developed hepatocellular carcinoma with unique occupational exposure to both hepatitis B and unusual marine toxins. Dr. Sezer discovered his tumor had distinct mutational patterns possibly linked to toxin exposure. She combined targeted therapy with a custom antiviral regimen, achieving stable disease. He returned to limited fishing, participating in a research study on occupational marine carcinogens.

A 28-year-old female professional freediver from Antalya presented with persistent shoulder pain initially attributed to her sport. Dr. Sezer identified an unusual presentation of osteosarcoma in her scapula, complicated by her hyperbaric physiology. Treatment required coordination with hyperbaric medicine specialists to adjust chemotherapy timing around her deep dives. She achieved complete remission after limb-sparing surgery and adjuvant therapy, returning to competitive freediving 18 months later with modified techniques.