Best Pituitary tumor surgery doctors in Turkey: TOP 40 doctors

Education and Specialization

• 2006: Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine
• 2014: Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Internal Medicine
• 2018: Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Medical Oncology

Experience

• 2006 - 2008: Konya Derebucak District Hospital
• 2009 - 2015: Akdeniz University Hospital
• 2015: Antalya Kaş State Hospital
• 2015 - 2016: İnönü University Faculty of Medicine
• 2016 - 2021: Akdeniz University Hospital
• 2021 - 2023: Antalya Training and Research Hospital

EDUCATION:

• Turhan and Mediha Tansel Primary School (1979–1984)
• Kültür College (1984–1988)
• Semiha Şakir High School (1988–1991)
• Marmara University Faculty of Medicine (1991–1997)
• Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery Department, Specialist Training (1997–2002)
• Title of Associate Professor in Neurosurgery (May 31, 2021)

ADDITIONAL TRAINING:

• "Visiting Physician," University of Southern California, Department of Neurosurgery (1998)
• "Microsurgery Training," GATA (Gülhane Military Medical Academy), Ankara Education and Research Hospital (2003)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Gülhane Military Medical Academy Haydarpaşa Training and Research Hospital (2002–2003)
• Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital (2003–2005)
• Private Avicenna Ataşehir Hospital (2005–2012)
• Private 29 Mayıs Hospital (2012–2013)
• Maltepe State Hospital (2013–2018)
• Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital (2018–2020)
• Private Academic Hospital (2020–2022)
• Hisar Intercontinental Hospital (2022–2024)
• Private Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital (2024–Present)

ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC ROLES:

• Board Member, Neurosurgical Society (2006–2009)
• Head of the Emergency Department, Maltepe State Hospital (2014–2016)
• Deputy Chief Physician, Private Academic Hospital (2020–2021)
• Advisory Board Member, Beykent University Faculty of Medicine (2018–2024)
• Faculty Member, Galata University Faculty of Health Sciences (2022–2024)
• Director, Continuous Education Center, Galata University (2022–2024)

Education and Specialization

• Bachelor’s Degree: Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine (1987/1993)
• Medical Specialization: Department of Pediatrics, Fırat University (1993/2001)
• Subspecialty: Pediatric Neurology Unit, Hacettepe University (2002/2004)

Professional Experience

• General Practitioner: Mardin State Hospital, Emergency Department (1993/1996)
• Research Assistant: Faculty of Medicine, Fırat University (1996/2001)
• Lecturer: Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University (2001/2002)
• Subspecialty Research Assistant: Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University (2002/2004)
• Assistant Professor: Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University (2004/2008)
• Associate Professor: Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University (2008/2014)
• Professor: Faculty of Medicine, İnönü University (2014/2023)

Dr. Hilmi Apak is a respected pediatric hematology-oncology specialist with more than 21 years of experience. He is trained in pediatric oncology. Dr. Apak has led advanced treatments, including bone marrow transplantation, leukemia chemotherapy, and CAR T-cell therapy.

He has published 75 international medical articles, showing his strong contribution to pediatric oncology research. Dr. Apak has worked as assistant editor for the Turkish Pediatrics Archives Periodical. He has also held important academic and leadership positions, such as Head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa.

Trustworthy, attentive, successful neurosurgeon with over 34 years of experience, high rate of success and exceptional surgical skills, providing quality neurological service for patients, successfully treating over thousands of patients suffering from many severe, complex conditions of the brain, spine and the nerves. 

Experienced in performing treatment modalities like micro neurosurgery, endoscopic skull base surgery, endoscopic third ventriculostomy, minimally invasive spine surgery and percutaneous spine surgery. Keen on performing clinical research and attending national and international medical conferences to stay abreast of new technologies in the field. Compassionate and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills. Expertise in healthcare, education and program management. Adept at developing and implementing forward-thinking strategies to enhance patient outcomes and collective knowledge in the field. Desiring to bring skills and success. Focused on working closely with other medical professionals and following up with patients. Well-versed at emergency procedures and fast and accurate sanitation.

Work History

2020-01 – Current - Asst. Prof. Neurosurgeon

Istanbul Medipol University, Health Care Practice and Research Center Pendik Hospital

• He successfully treated and followed patients with cerebral hemorrhage, brain and spinal cord tumors, and patients with hydrocephalus.

• He performed transnasal pituitary surgeries with success.

• Also, many cervical lumbar and thoracic disc patients were successfully treated, and disc prosthesis were applied to some of them.

• He re-operated a degenerative spine patient who had been operated on before at another center and the patient regained his health.

• He also successfully treated patients with premature neonatal intracerebral hemorrhage.

2019-08 – 2020-01 - Neurosurgeon

Freelancer, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases and improve patients' motor functions. Performed successful operations for complex, advanced and complicated disease of the brain and spine some of which were operated unsuccessfully at other medical centers by different neurosurgeons.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Maintained admitting privileges at local hospitals and provided quality follow-up care.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Founded a spinal surgery group with orthopedic surgeons and treated very advanced and severe vertebra deformities, spine abnormalities, scoliosis.

2018-12 - 2019-08 - Neurosurgeon

Alkafeel Super Speciality Hospital, Karbala, Iraq

• Conducted up to 5 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate 100 percent : 90-95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery, spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas, Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery, pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery, spinal instrumentation and fusion surgery, microdiscectomy cervical, thoracic, lumbar, pediatric cranial and spine anomaly surgery). Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times.

• Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries.

• Examined 900 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatments to them when necessary.

2015-10 - 2018-11 - Neurosurgeon

Medistate Kavacık Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

• Operated on patients' brains, spines and peripheral nerves to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat different advanced, complex severe diseases and improve patients' motor functions.

• Conducted up to operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. 

• Performed successful operations (success rate percent : 95) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain , spine and nerves in adults and children.(Brain tumor, arachnoid cyst, intracerebral hematoma, spinal stenosis, hydrocephalus, myelomeningocele).Followed the patients postoperatively. 

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (intracerebral hematoma, intracerebral abscess).

• Examined 850 patients in total in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary.

1994-03 - 2015-09 - Neurosurgeon

Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

• Supervised trainees, medical students, residents and fellows to help each achieve proficiency in field.

• Conducted up to 20 operations per month to correct deformities in neurological and spinal systems, repair traumas, restore partial or full functionality and prevent and treat diseases of different areas. Performed successful operations (success rate: %90) for severe, complex and advanced diseases of the brain, spine and nerves in adults and children. (Skull base surgery, extended trans base approach, orbit zygomatic approach, presigmoid approach, orbital approaches, transcranial and lateral orbitotomy, Endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, CSF leakage surgery, endoscopic, microscopic and transsphenoidal, transcranial. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and surgery of multiloculated hydrocephalus and pediatric neurosurgery. Cerebral intrinsic and extrinsic tumor surgery, posterior fossa surgery. Brain aneurysm, AVM and cavernoma surgery.

• Spontaneous and traumatic intracranial hematomas. Hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia surgery (microsurgical decompression) Interhemispheric 3th ventricle and lateral ventricle surgery. Pineal area surgery. Pontocerebellar angle tumor surgery.

• Foreman magnum tumors surgery. Surgery of hydrocephaly, Syringomyelia and craniovertebral animalia).Followed the patients postoperatively.

• Educated patients on recovery methods and times Thoroughly assessed patients to identify medical condition and level of surgical risk.

• Performed emergency surgeries (Epidural, subdural and intracerebral hematoma, vertebra fracture).

• Examined 500-700 patients per day in the outpatient clinic and gave medical treatment to them when necessary. Examined patients in the emergency service.

• Designed treatment plans for patients.

• Offered advanced knowledge, leadership abilities and technical assistance with complex surgical cases.

• Led and oversaw 15 medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

• Led and oversaw medical personnel in operating room setting to perform surgeries.

Education

1982-09 - 1988-08

M.D.: Medicine And (Pre-Medicine)

Ankara University Medical School - Ankara

General Medicine Training for 6 years. Graduated with a high GPA.

1988-11 - 1994-05

Specialist Neurosurgery: Neuroscience

University of Health Sciences - Ankara

6 years of neurosurgery training.

• My thesis was on brain abscess and their clinical and laboratory evaluations

1995-05 - 1995-07

Neuroscience

The Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

Ankara

I attended the course for microsurgery at University of Hacettepe Institute of Neurological Sciences and Psychiatry.

1998-04 - 2019-05

Observer Doctor: Neuroscience

Department of Neurosurgery, MSU - Ann Arbour, 

Michigan USA

2012-05 - 2012-05

Neuro endoscopy: Neuroscience

Ghent University - Ghent, Belgium

International endoscopic neurosurgery workshop, 

Ghent, Belgium

I attended the workshop for endoscopic skull base operations the and Neuro endoscopic third ventriculostomy at University of Ghent Hospital

Skills

Micro neurosurgery - Excellent

Neuro endoscopy - Excellent

Cranial base endoscopy - Excellent

Minimal invasive surgery - Excellent

Percutaneous spinal surgery - Excellent

Neuronavigation – Excellent

Certifications

1995-04 Microsurgery

2012-05 Endoscopy

Languages

Turkish - Native

English - Advanced

Arabic - Novice

Affiliations

Turkish Neurosurgical Society

Turkish Medical Association

Accomplishments

• Trained team of staff nurses in medical office procedures to ensure consistent quality of care.

• Published 17 articles in national and international reviews and presented papers in medical congresses.

Interests and operations I perform

Vascular diseases of brain

Endoscopic hypophysis surgery

Tumors of brain, spine and medulla spinalis surgery

Endoscopic brain ventricle surgery

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy 

Traumas of brain and spine

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar disc hernias and narrow 

canal disease surgery

Spine instrumentation and fusion surgery

Baclofen pump and neurostimulators insertions

Hydrocephalus surgery

Congenital diseases of the brain and spine (pediatric 

neurosurgery)

Peripheral nerve surgery

Dr. Kamran Aghayev is a neurosurgeon with over 23 years of experience. He specializes in complex brain and spine surgeries. Dr. Aghayev has performed more than 5,000 successful procedures. He is known for creating new surgical techniques, including the Posterior Upper Rib Excision & Decompression (PURED) method for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Dr. Aghayev holds several US patents for spinal surgery devices. He has published more than 50 scientific papers. He treats brain tumors, hydrocephalus, AVMs, pituitary adenomas, and spinal conditions such as herniated discs, scoliosis, and spinal tumors.

Dr. Abdulkerim Gokoglu is a Neurosurgery Specialist with a PhD in Clinical Anatomy. He is known for his skills in treating brain tumors, spinal diseases, head trauma, congenital nervous system disorders, and spine deformities.

Dr. Gokoglu has broad experience managing stroke, paralysis, aneurysms, hemorrhage, tumors, hernias, and traumatic injuries. He has worked on advanced neurosurgical procedures. He also serves as a postdoctoral research assistant at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, showing his strong focus on both patient care and research.

Dr. Türe developed a step-wise teaching method for utilizing the microscope and suction tube. He then presented this technique to the neurosurgical community by teaching neurosurgeons and visiting laboratories internationally. He was also President of the WFNS 16th World Congress of Neurosurgery in Istanbul, Turkey in 2017.

Prof. Dr. Gülşah Bademci is a physician specialized in the field of brain, nerve, spine, and spinal cord surgery. She graduated as the fourth-ranked student from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 1993. She obtained her title as a brain and nerve surgeon from the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery in 2001. In 2008, she became an associate professor at the Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine, and in 2021, she became a professor at the Yüksek İhtisas University Faculty of Medicine. She has contributed to numerous international publications, serving as a research and clinical fellow at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yaşargil, and as a research fellow at Yale University School of Medicine. She holds ECFMG America Board Step 1 and EANS European Board certificates. She speaks advanced-level English and has awards in tennis and swimming. She also pursues professional-level caricature art and medical illustration. In her 30-year career, she has performed numerous surgeries as a brain and nerve surgery specialist, particularly in spinal canal stenosis surgery, lumbar and cervical disc herniations, brain tumors, hydrocephalus surgery, and nerve compressions.

Dr. Mustafa Gurelik is a neurosurgeon who graduated from Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine in 1989. He completed his specialization in 1997. He has worked at Cumhuriyet University, Sivas Anadolu Hospital, and Malatya Gözde Hospital.

Dr. Gurelik treats brain and spinal cord tumors, brain hemorrhages, spine diseases, and traumatic injuries to the head and spine. He is skilled in pituitary surgery, shunt and endoscopic procedures for hydrocephalus, and treatments for lumbar and neck hernias. He also manages cerebrovascular aneurysms and nerve compression syndromes such as carpal tunnel. Dr. Gurelik is known for his high success rates and dedication to advanced neurosurgical care.

Dr. Mehmet Ozek is a leading pediatric neurosurgeon with more than 35 years of experience. He focuses on brain and spinal surgery for children. He is well known for treating complex cranial and spinal malformations, brain tumors, and epilepsy in young patients.

Dr. Ozek has performed over 10,000 pediatric neurosurgical procedures. His work has achieved high success rates recognized worldwide. He has published more than 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals and written several book chapters. His research has helped advance pediatric neurosurgery on a global scale.

He is an active member of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery. Dr. Ozek has received several international awards for his work. He holds leadership roles in global pediatric neurosurgical groups and regularly attends international scientific meetings.