Memorial Göztepe Hospital
Prof. Selin Kapan has been a Professor of General Surgery since 2017. She is currently with Istanbul Aydın University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery (2022–present). She previously worked at Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital as a Specialist and Associate Professor. She also served as Educational and Administrative Supervisor at Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital. In addition, she was Medical Coordinator and General Surgeon at Istanbul Surgery Hospital.
She has authored or co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed papers. Her research covers hernia repair, perianal fistula, pilonidal disease, hepatic hydatid disease, laparoscopic surgery, and gastrointestinal surgery. Her work has been published in journals such as Digestive Surgery, Hernia, Techniques in Coloproctology, and the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. She is a member of the Turkish Surgical Association, the National Trauma and Emergency Surgery Association, the Hernia Society, the Turkish HPB Surgery Association, the Stem Cell and Cellular Therapies Association, and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Association.
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.
Salivary gland tumor treatment in Turkey focuses on surgical resection combined with advanced oncology protocols. Specialized centers prioritize facial nerve preservation during parotidectomy. Multidisciplinary tumor boards at facilities like Memorial Göztepe Hospital tailor therapies using robotic systems, MR Linac radiation, and immunotherapy for complex malignant cases.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish oncology centers often integrate diagnostic and surgical technology in hybrid operating rooms. Memorial Göztepe Hospital utilizes 512-slice CT and 3 Tesla MRI to map tumor boundaries. This precision helps surgeons avoid healthy tissue damage. Choosing a center with high-resolution imaging reduces the risk of incomplete tumor removal.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to confirm if a head-and-neck surgeon leads the multidisciplinary team. They note that clarifying facial nerve reconstruction plans before surgery provides significant peace of mind.
Surgery for salivary gland tumors is generally successful. Risks primarily involve facial nerve proximity. While 10% to 20% of patients experience temporary weakness, 99% avoid permanent paralysis. Specialists in Turkey use multidisciplinary boards and advanced imaging to ensure safety and precision during tumor removal.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests high-volume centers like Memorial Göztepe Hospital provide safer outcomes. This facility integrates 512-slice CT and 3 Tesla MRI for precise mapping. Complex cases benefit from tumor boards where 39 departments collaborate. This multidisciplinary approach helps surgeons plan nerve-sparing routes before the first incision is made.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that temporary facial asymmetry or difficulty smiling is common. They emphasize choosing a surgeon who performs these specific procedures daily to minimize long-term risks.
Doctors in Turkey determine if a salivary gland tumor is cancerous through diagnostic imaging and tissue biopsy. Specialized centers use 3 Tesla MRI and 512-slice CT scans to locate masses. Pathologists then perform fine-needle aspiration or core biopsies to identify malignant cells and guide surgery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Advanced centers like Memorial Göztepe Hospital utilize multidisciplinary tumor boards to verify results. This is crucial because preliminary biopsies for salivary tumors can sometimes be inconclusive. A tumor board ensures radiologists and surgeons review the same data before starting complex nerve-sparing procedures.
Patient Consensus: Patients note that a biopsy is rarely the final word on diagnosis. Many recommend requesting a written histology report because final surgical pathology sometimes reveals malignancy that imaging missed.
Salivary gland treatment in Turkey shows a 100% success rate for endoscopic stone removal. Benign tumor surgeries report 79% patient satisfaction. Malignant tumor outcomes vary by stage, with 1-year survival rates reaching 79%. Specialist centers utilize da Vinci robotic systems and multidisciplinary tumor boards to ensure precision.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Success in Turkey depends on surgical volume and technology availability. Memorial Göztepe Hospital, for example, integrates multidisciplinary tumor boards and da Vinci XI robotic systems. Specialists like Dr. Halil Alis have used robotic systems since 2010. This technological depth helps preserve the facial nerve during complex tumor removals.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that success means both tumor removal and preserving facial movement. They suggest getting a second pathology opinion, as some rare tumor subtypes require specific radiation plans.
Post-treatment follow-up for salivary gland tumors in Turkey involves surgical site monitoring and pathology review. Patients typically stay 5–7 days for drain removal and wound checks. Specialized centers like Memorial Göztepe Hospital utilize 512-slice CT and digital PET/CT to confirm tumor clearance before patient discharge.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Multidisciplinary tumor boards are the standard at major Istanbul facilities like Memorial Göztepe Hospital. These boards ensure that follow-up plans are not just surgical. They combine expertise from 90+ doctors to decide if immediate radiation or oncology surveillance is necessary.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize the need to receive all translated pathology reports before flying. They note that clear communication regarding facial nerve function and swelling is the most critical recovery step.
Turkey is a leading destination for salivary gland tumor treatment due to specialized surgical expertise and advanced technology. Turkish centers utilize facial nerve monitoring to protect facial expressions during parotidectomy. Patients benefit from multidisciplinary tumor boards and JCI-accredited facilities that follow international safety standards for oncology.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Turkish hospitals like Memorial Göztepe integrate digital PET/CT and MR Linac technology within 81,000 m² cancer centers. This scale allows them to manage complex submandibular and parotid cases that smaller clinics might refer elsewhere. The presence of clinical research units also provides access to global treatment innovations not always available in general ENT practices.
Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that fast scheduling for biopsies and scans is a major advantage over local wait times. They highlight that comprehensive packages help manage the logistics of a stressful cancer diagnosis while traveling abroad.