Memorial Şişli Hospital
Professor Dr. Engin Cakar is a specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Algology (Pain Medicine), and Electrodiagnostic Neurology. He practices at Memorial Göztepe and Memorial Şişli Hospitals. He previously held posts at Medipol Mega University Hospital and GATA Haydarpaşa Training Hospital.
Titles and training: Professor (2016). Associate Professor (2011). Algology specialty, Ministry of Health Medical Specialization Board–GATA (2011). Electrodiagnostic Neurology, Marmara University (2007–2010).
Publications: 40 international and 17 national peer-reviewed articles. Presentations: 17 international and 12 national. He has also written many book chapters. Memberships: European Society of PRM; Turkish PM&R; Turkish Algology; Turkish Clinical Neurophysiology (EEG–EMG). He chairs the Brain Stimulation and Neurorestoration Working Group.
Further training: Harvard Medical School—Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Direct Current Stimulation. He has given many invited lectures and attended many congresses.
The doctor specializes in neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation, focusing on musculoskeletal disorders and rheumatological diseases. Proficient in performing dry needling, trigger point injections, and intra-articular injections, the doctor has extensive experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation.
Graduating from Ankara University Medical Faculty in 2005, the doctor has held positions in various hospitals, including Şişli Eftal EAH Clinic, Antakya State Hospital, Kütahya Evliya Çelebi Training and Research Hospital, and Yalova Aktif Hospital. Currently, the doctor is a rehabilitation specialist at Nobel Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center.
Dr. Ibrahim Ziyal is a neurosurgeon at Memorial Göztepe Hospital in Istanbul (2025–present). He was Professor and Head of Neurosurgery at Marmara University (2012–2025). Earlier, he held faculty roles at Hacettepe University (2001–2012). He was the Founding Head of Neurosurgery at Abant İzzet Baysal University, Düzce (1999–2001). He also worked as a clinical researcher in brain tumors at George Washington University (1996–1998). He then focused on cerebrovascular diseases at the São Paulo Institute of Neurological Sciences (1998–1999).
Expertise: skull base tumors, pituitary surgery, and aneurysm/AVM/cavernoma surgery. Neurosurgery training: Şişli Etfal Hospital. MD: Trakya University. Memberships: Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Neuro-Oncology Association, AANS, CNS, WFNS, EANS.
Turkish stem cell therapy for muscular dystrophy follows international safety protocols. Board-certified neurologists and pediatric specialists lead these programs. Most treatments occur in Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals. Facilities must utilize Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified laboratories for cell processing.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many countries offer cellular therapy, Turkey uniquely integrates GMP labs directly into hospitals. Liv Hospital Ulus features the first private GMP-standard lab in Turkey. This streamlines treatment because fresh cells move directly from lab to patient. Dr. Erdal Karaöz leads this program with deep expertise in regenerative medicine.
Patient Consensus: Patients value how centers coordinate every step from genetic workups to follow-up visits. They often highlight the comfort of having specialized pediatric neurologists involved in the treatment plan.
Safety follow-up for muscular dystrophy therapies in Turkey includes immediate hospital monitoring for up to 72 hours. This period ensures detection of acute side effects in neurological or inflammatory systems. Patients receive long-term biomarker tracking for 30 weeks. Specialists conduct regular cardiac and respiratory evaluations to ensure stability.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Quality protocols in Turkey often rely on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards for cell production. For example, Dr. Erdal Karaöz at Liv Hospital Ulus established the country first private GMP-standard stem cell center. Choosing clinics with these internal labs ensures higher cell viability and more precise safety tracking compared to facilities that outsource cell production.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is helpful to stay near the clinic for at least two weeks post-treatment. They emphasize that coordinate follow-up exams provide peace of mind during initial recovery.
Stem cell treatment for muscular dystrophy in Turkey typically requires an 18-day medical stay. The procedure involves a direct 2-dose treatment cycle with GMP-produced cells. Patients undergo 2 days of hospitalization followed by 16 days of hotel recovery. This timeframe ensures proper monitoring and initial rehabilitation.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While single-session stem cell infusions exist, the most comprehensive results come from the 18-day protocol used at Liv Hospital Ulus. Our data shows this long-term stay includes 5-star accommodation and VIP transfers for approximately $21,000. This duration is significant because it allows the specialized medical team to conduct pediatric consultations and follow-up examinations before the patient returns home.
Patient Consensus: Families note that while the medical infusion takes only a few days, a 3-week stay is necessary to manage fatigue. Patients prioritize clinics that offer hotel-to-hospital transfers to simplify logistics during recovery.
Istanbul and Ankara serve as the primary hubs for clinical research and early access programs for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy in Turkey. These cities host specialized JCI-accredited centers that coordinate with the Turkish Medicines and Medical Device Agency to provide named patient programs and emerging mRNA therapies.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While public research centers in Ankara focus on mRNA developments, Istanbul centers like Liv Hospital Ulus provide advanced regenerative options. Specifically, this clinic established the first GMP-standard stem cell center in a private hospital setting. Patients seeking cellular therapies often prefer these facilities due to their experience treating cases from over 180 countries. This concentration of private investment in Istanbul makes it a faster route for those seeking non-trial regenerative protocols alongside standard care.
Patient Consensus: Patients note it is important to connect with local Turkish support groups to find specific trial locations. Families often emphasize checking international registries for Turkish sites that offer localized, geographic discussions on DMD care.
Acceptance for cell-based or molecular therapy in Turkey requires original diagnostic reports confirming muscular dystrophy and symptom history. You must provide genetic testing results, digital imaging like MRI or CT in DICOM format, and a medication list translated into English.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Clinics like Liv Hospital Ulus house Turkey’s first GMP-standard stem cell center within a private hospital. This integration means patients don't just get therapy but often receive vitamin infusions and doctor consultations bundled into packages costing around $21,000. Choosing a center with an on-site lab speeds up the verification of your cell-based eligibility significantly.
Patient Consensus: Patients find that having all digital files ready before arrival makes the transition to Turkish clinics much smoother. They often emphasize that getting your medication list into English beforehand saves valuable time during the initial specialist consultation.
Patients receiving stem cell injections for muscular dystrophy in Turkey typically return to school within 7 to 14 days. Home physiotherapy usually resumes about 10 days post-procedure. Doctors recommend short hospital stays of 1 to 2 days for initial recovery and monitoring.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish packages, like the 2-dose protocol at Liv Hospital Ulus, often include 16 days of hotel stay. This long stay is not just for rest but reflects a clinical priority to monitor fatigue levels. Patients who stay the full 16 days frequently report a smoother transition back to home physiotherapy than those who fly home early. This controlled environment helps manage the cognitive fog or spinal headaches sometimes associated with intrathecal delivery.
Patient Consensus: Parents of children with muscular dystrophy note that teens often feel fatigued for nearly 4 weeks. They suggest starting with half-days at school and delaying normal home exercise until any post-injection headaches completely disappear.