Best Removal of spinal cord tumor doctors in Istanbul: TOP 25 doctors

Dr. Ertugrul Pinar specializes in complex brain and spine conditions, with extensive experience in both adult and pediatric cases at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental.

• Trained in neurosurgery at Marmara University
• Specializes in brain tumors, meningiomas, and spinal cord conditions
• Works with both adult and pediatric patients
• Handles a wide range of neurosurgical cases

Dr. Mustafa Solak trained at MD Anderson Cancer Center – a world leader in oncology – and specializes in complex cancer cases.

• Fellowship-trained at Hacettepe University Cancer Institute
• Expert in multiple cancer types including difficult-to-treat cases
• Works at Hisar Hospital Intercontinental – specialized in advanced oncology care
• Consultations available online for international patients

35+ years specializing in neurosurgeries, Dr. Akalan uses advanced techniques like the O-arm Imaging System to minimize risks in spinal cord tumor removal.

• Published 117 scientific papers on neurosurgery
• Expert in treating spine tumors and nervous disorders
• Uses iMRI and ultrasound for precise tumor removal

Neurosurgery

Fields of Study and Interests

• Spina Bifida,

• Lumbar Mass,

• Tumor,

• Meningomyelocele,

• Neurological Diseases,

• Cervical Disc Hernia,

• Brain Diseases,

• Herniated disc

• Neck hernia

• Spinal Canal Stenosis

• Spondylolisthesis (Waist Slip)

• Brain Tumors

• Spinal Cord Tumors

• Spine Fracture

• Celebral hemorrhage

• Brain Aneurysm

• hydrocephalus

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Education

• University of Wisconsin Neurosurgery Clinic Neurosurgery Specialization Training 2017,

Madison/USA

• Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital Brain and Nerve Surgery Specialization

Training 2014, Istanbul/Turkey

• Mersin University Faculty of Medicine Medical Doctor Specialization Training 2007,

Mersin/Turkey

Career

• Istanbul Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital 2014-2021, Istanbul/Turkey

• Istanbul Bakırköy Psychiatric Hospital 2008-2014, Istanbul/Turkey

• Çorlu State Hospital 2007-2008, Çorlu/Turkey

Publications: Üçer, M. (2021). Minimally Invasive Approach Toward Percutaneous Direct Pars

Repair: An Observational Study. World Neurosurgery, 146, e1301-e1306.

Dr. İdris AVCI was born in Ordu in 1988. After primary and high school education in Germany, he graduated from Yeditepe Faculty of Medicine in 2014. In 2020, he became a specialist in Brain and Nerve Surgery from Health Sciences University Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu City Hospital (Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital). In 2022, he received "Fundamental Neuroscience and Neuroimaging" education at John Hopkins University, USA. In 2023, he completed his Health Tourism Certification from Sakarya University of Applied Sciences. In the same year, he was certified as a football physician by FIFA. In 2020-2022, he worked at Şanlıurfa Mehmet Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic and worked as a clinical chief. Between 2022-2024, he worked in the Spine Center at Memorial Hospitals Group. Since 2023, he has been working at Üsküdar University as a Dr. He continues in the academic staff as an Education Officer. Since 2024, he has been working at NP Brain Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic.

Dr. İdris AVCI has worked in many clinics such as Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia and has taken part in dozens of scientific meetings both in Turkey and abroad as a participant, speaker and organizer.

He has published in many international and domestic scientific journals. He has academic book chapters and editorials published by distinguished bookstores.

Dr. Yılmaz specializes in neurosurgery, with training at Yale School of Medicine. He operates at Istinye University Liv Hospital Bahcesehir.

• Member of Turkish Neurosurgery Association
• Member of Turkish Spine Association and AOSpine
• Graduated from Marmara University, Turkey

Assoc. Prof. Ozdogan, M.D., Ph.D., completed his education at Yeditepe University Health Sciences Institute in the Molecular Medicine Doctorate Program under Prof. Dr. Turgay İsbir, and he also studied at Saint Louis University in Arkansas, USA, with Prof. Dr. M. Gazi Yasargil. He pursued a Clinical Fellowship in Brain and Nerve Surgery at Yeditepe University Hospital, guided by Prof. Dr. Yasargil and Prof. Dr. Uğur Türe. Additionally, he underwent specialization training at Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine at Gazi University, and completed his secondary education at İçel Anatolian High School.

Professionally, he has held various positions, including Faculty Member in the Department of Neurosurgery at Haliç University, and Associate Professor at Private Adatip Istanbul Hospital and Biruni University Hospital. He has also served as an Associate Professor at S.B.U. Kartal, Sancaktepe, and Istanbul Training and Research Hospitals, and worked as a Chief Assistant at S.B.U. Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim and Kartal Training and Research Hospitals. His earlier roles include Specialist Doctor at S.B.U. Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Hospital and Mus State Hospital, as well as Clinical Fellow at Yeditepe University Faculty of Medicine Hospital.

Assoc. Prof. Özdoğan is a member of several professional associations, including the Turkish Neurosurgery Association, Turkish Spine Association, and the Turkish Neurosurgery Society’s Neuroanatomy, Neurovascular, and Neurooncology Groups. He is also affiliated with the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

Education:

Medical Faculty, Trakya University,  

Edirne, Turkey (1994-2000)

Professional Experience:

General Practitioner and Emergency Physician

Bartın (2000-2004)

Specialization:  

Department of Neurosurgery, S.B. Göztepe Training and Research Hospital,  

Istanbul (2004-2010)

Participation in the Accreditation Process by the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) during  

Specialization (2004-2010)

Completion of Compulsory Service as Specialist Physician

Tokat State Hospital, Tokat (2010-2012)

Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat (2012-2014)

Contribution to the Establishment of the Department of Neurosurgery at Medipol University  

(2012-2014)

Lecturer

Medipol University, Istanbul (2012-2014)

Specialist Physician

Memorial Istanbul Hospitals, Istanbul (2014-2018)

Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences

Eurasia University, Istanbul (2014-2021)

Associate Professor in the field of Neurosurgery (2021- )

Specialist Physician

Acıbadem Maslak Hospital, Istanbul (2018-2021)

Specialist Physician

Liv Hospital Ulus, Istanbul (2021-2023)

2023 –

Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul

Skills and Achievements:

Obtained Associate Professorship in the field of Neurosurgery (2021)

Experience in Academic Teaching and Management (2012-2021)

Proficiency in Turkish (Native) and English (Advanced)

Prof. Dr. Salih Murat İmer is a neurosurgeon with over 30 years of experience. He founded and led the Neurosurgery Department at Okan University Hospital. He has written 68 scientific articles and contributed to 9 book chapters. Dr. İmer has also presented at 33 international congresses, showing his influence in neurosurgery worldwide.

Dr. İmer holds advanced certifications in functional and stereotactic neurosurgery, Leksell Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and endoscopic spine surgery. He received specialized training in several European countries. He has worked with leading experts such as Prof. Matti Vapalahti and Prof. Juha Hernesniemi. Through these collaborations, he has helped improve neurosurgical practice and education around the world.

Professor Erol Akgul is an Interventional Neuroradiologist specializing in spinal cord tumor removal at Medipol Mega University Hospital.

• Member of the World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology
• Affiliated with the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe
• Part of the Turkish Society of Neuroradiology

Dr. Ozatli specializes in breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers at Istinye Liv University Hospital.

• Experienced in oncology at multiple leading hospitals in Turkey
• Promoted to Associate Professor in 2016
• Trained at Selcuk University's Faculty of Medicine

Dr. Mucuoglu specializes in neurosurgery with a focus on spinal cord tumors at Atlas University Hospital. His expertise includes minimally invasive techniques for complex cases.

• Trained at Dokuz Eylül University in Brain and Neurosurgery
• Member of Turkish Neurosurgical Society and European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
• Published multiple case reports on spinal and brain conditions
• Participated in advanced spinal surgery courses

Dr. Kaner specializes in spinal surgery with advanced training at UCLA – focusing on minimally invasive techniques for complex cases.

• Over 30 years in neurosurgery, with spinal surgery subspecialty
• Trained in spinal surgery at UCLA's Comprehensive Spine Center
• Member of the Scoliosis Research Society and AO Spine International
• Holds a visiting faculty position at Virginia University
• Performs both traditional and minimally invasive spinal tumor removals

Kenan Kibici brings military medicine expertise to spinal tumor removal at Medical Park Bahcelievler, with research-backed precision.

• Member of Spine Society of Europa and Turkish Spinal Surgery Group
• Published 20+ neurosurgery papers on spinal cord and peripheral nerve conditions
• Specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques
• Conducted research on hyperbaric oxygen's effects on nerve regeneration

Education

• 1986-1989, Bursa High School, Bursa, Turkey
• 1989-1995, Istanbul University, Istanbul School of Medicine, Turkey
• 1999-2003, (Residency) Kadir Has University, School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2015, (Associate Professor) Demiroglu Bilim University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2021, (Professor) Demiroglu Bilim University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2024, Istanbul Medipol University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey

Experience

• 1995-1999, Şişli Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, Cardiology Department
• 2003, Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, Department of Radiation Oncology
• 2015, (Associate Professor in Radiation Oncology) Demiroglu Bilim University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2021, (Professor in Radiation Oncology) Demiroglu Bilim University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey
• 2024, Istanbul Medipol University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Istanbul, Turkey

Prof. Dr. Ilhan Elmaci is a leading neurosurgeon. He is known for his skill in brain and spinal surgeries, neurooncology, and skull base surgery. He has worked at top institutions such as Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Elmaci has introduced new techniques in microsurgery and endoscopic skull base surgery.

He is the founding chairman of the Skull Base Society in Turkey. He is also an active member of the European Skull Base Society. Dr. Elmaci has helped advance neurosurgery through teamwork across specialties. He led Turkey’s first EANS-accredited neurosurgery clinic. He also holds accreditations from the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies.

Dr. Elmaci has published over 110 scientific papers and given more than 250 presentations at congresses. His work continues to influence neurosurgical practice and patient care around the world.

Prof. Erkan Kaptanoğlu, M.D. was born in Balikesir, Turkey in 1966. After completing his primary school, secondary school and high school education in Balikesir, he graduated from Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine in 1990. He completed his internship at Peterborough District Hospital and Lincoln County Hospital in the United Kingdom. After a year of compulsory medical service, he completed his residency, which he had started in 1992, at Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital in 1997 and became a Neurosurgery Specialist. After being assigned at the same hospital as Chief Resident in the same year, he studied “spinal cord injury and spinal cord regeneration” as a “research fellow” alongside Prof. Charles Tator, M.D., at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine in 1998-1999. After returning from Canada in 1999, he was tasked by the Ministry of Health to establish a Field Hospital and to work in cooperation with the Turkish Red Crescent Society at Hakkari, Şemdinli for two months. Following this assignment, he volunteered to work for the 1999 Marmara Earthquake relief effort.

He became an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery in 2004. He earned the title Doctor of Science (Ph.D.) by completing a doctorate program on Advanced Neuroscience between 2000-2005, at Hacettepe University Institute of Medical Sciences. He joined the project for autologous stem cell therapy in human spinal cord injuries with the Departments of Neurosurgery and Hematology at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine. In 2009, he was appointed as Deputy Chief to the 1st Neurosurgery Clinic at the Ankara Numune Hospital, where he had been working.

At this hospital, in which he worked until 2010, he supervised and attended complex cranial, pediatric, spinal, trauma and vascular neurosurgery operations. He continued his academic research at Ankara University, Department of Anatomy and research laboratories of Ankara University and Hacettepe University for the purpose of developing strategies for complex spinal surgery operations.

With his research on spinal cord injuries and spinal anatomy, he won many awards such as the Acibadem Hospital Medical Research Award, 1st Place in 2000, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Dr. Mahir Tevruz Scientific Research Award, Tübitak and Brain Research Society Wheyt Award in 2001, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Hamit Ziya Gokalp Young Neurosurgeons Research Award, 2nd Place in 2002, Turkish Neurosurgical Society Yildiz Yalcinlar Scientific Research Award in 2004.

In 2010, he went to Cyprus to found the Near East University Faculty of Medicine Hospital with the guidance of Hacettepe University, and was appointed as full Professor. Between 2010-2015, he served as the Founder and Head of Department at the Near East University and Founder and Deputy Chief Physician at the University Training and Research Hospital in TRNC.

In 2000-2001, he served as a member of the editorial board for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journal. Between the years 2001-2006, he served as an assistant editor for Türk Nöroşirurji Dergisi and Turkish Neurosurgery journals. In 2002-2003, he served as the Chairman of the Young Neurosurgeons Committee under the Turkish Neurosurgical Society. He was elected to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors to serve between 2003-2009. In 2013, he was again elected as a member to the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2015, he became the Chairman of the Turkish Neurosurgical Society Spinal and Peripheral Nerve Surgery Group Board of Directors. In 2018, he was elected as a member to the Board of Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

In 2015, he was appointed to the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery and was elected as the Head of Department. During the same period, he also served as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience. In 2018, he completed his tenure as the Head of Department. Reaching the end of this tenure in 2019, he retired from his duties as the Director of the Institute of Neuroscience and as a Member of the Faculty of Medicine. During his tenure at Marmara University, he supervised and accompanied surgical operations for complex cases from cranial patients to brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas and hypophysis adenomas in particular), cerebral hemorrhages, Parkinson’s disease, trauma and vascular neurosurgery. He performed complex spinal surgery operations such as surgeries for spinal deformities (e.g. scoliosis and kyphosis), thoracoscopic spinal surgeries and sacral tumor surgeries. He conducted research and experimental studies on stem cell therapy and regeneration in spinal cord injuries. Between 2019-2020, currently He continues his clinical practice and surgeries along with his local and international academic studies, from his private clinic and Istanbul Brain and Spine Center.

He has attended numerous national and international courses and meetings as an instructor and speaker, was a guest speaker in over 100 events and conferences. He has published 65 international, 35 national scientific articles, edited 7 books, written 52 book chapters. He has served in the organizational committee 5 times in international meetings and 22 times in national meetings.

He is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, Turkish Cypriot Medical Association, Turkish Neurosurgical Society, Turkish Spine Society, EUROSPINE, AO Spine, Turkish Neurosurgery Academy.

Op. Dr. Kemal Paksoy was born in Trabzon in 1982. In 2007, he graduated from Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine. In 2014, he completed his specialty training at Ondokuz Mayıs University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery. Between 2014-2018, he worked at Rize Kaçkar State Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic. Between 2018 and 2024, he worked at Memorial Hospitals Group Spine Center. Since 2023, he has been a member of the academic staff as Dr. Faculty Member at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine. Since 2024, he has been working at NPISTANBUL Brain Hospital Neurosurgery Clinic.

Dr. Kemal Paksoy has also worked in many clinics in the fields of neuromodulation and algology and has participated as a participant, speaker and organizer in dozens of scientific meetings held in Turkey and abroad.

He has published in many international and national scientific journals.

2002-2007 Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery

1988-1995 Trakya University Faculty of Medicine

2015- Atlas University Medicine Hospital

2014-2015 Private Pendik Yüzyıl Hospital Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic

2009-2014 Medicine Hospital Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic

2009-2009 Nisa Hospital Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic

2007-2009 Mardin State Hospital Brain and Neurosurgery Clinic

2002-2007 Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Brain and Neurosurgery

1997-2001 Enez Health Center and Enez State Hospital

Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Disc Surgery (endoscopic/microsurgery)

Far lateral (non-canal) lumbar disc surgery (lateral microsurgical approach)

Neurovascular surgery

Cerebrovascular diseases (vascular diseases of the brain)

Aneurysms

Arteriovenous malformations

Cavernomas

Neuro-oncological surgery

Brain tumors

Glial tumors

Meningiomas

Pituitary gland tumors

Metastatic brain tumors

Skull base tumors

Pontocerebellar angle tumors

Pineal tumors

Intraventricular tumors

Spinal disease surgery

Cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine fractures

Spine and spinal cord tumors

Scoliosis

Degenerative spine diseases

Peripheral nerve disease surgery

Peripheral nerve tumors

Entrapment neuropathies

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Ulnar groove syndrome

Tarsal tunnel syndrome

Functional neurosurgery and pain surgery

Trigeminal neuralgia

Microvascular decompression

Epilepsy surgery

Spasticity surgery

Epiduroscopic interventions

Hydrocephalus surgeries

Endoscopic 3rd ventriculostomy

VP shunt surgeries

LP shunt surgeries

Developmental anomalies

Meningomyelocele

Tethered cord syndrome

Arachnoid cyst

Craniosynostosis surgeries

Chiari malformation

Head trauma

Subdural hematomas

Intracerebral hematomas

Article published in internationally refereed journals

Cansever T, Civelek E, Sencer A, Karasu A, Kiris T, Hepgül K, Can H, Canbolat A: Spinal cavernous malformations: a report of 5 cases. Surg Neurol Jun 69 

Effects of combined and individual use of N-methyl-D aspartate receptor antagonist magnesium sulphate and caspase-9 inhibitor z-LEDH-fmk experimental spinal cord injury. A.Sencer, A.Aydoseli, Y.Aras, M.Osman Akçakaya, C.Gömleksiz, H.Can, A.Canbolat. Turkısh Joumal of Trauma&Emergency Surgery 2013

Aydoseli A, Can H, Aras Y, Sabanci PA, Akcakaya MO, Unal OF. Memantine and Q-VD-OPh Treatments in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury: Combined Inhibition of Necrosis and Apoptosis. Turk Neurosurg. 2016

Can H, Kircelli A, Kavadar G, Civelek E, Cansever T, Aydoseli A, Onal MB, Yilmaz C. Lumbosacral Conjoined Root Anomaly: Anatomical Considerations of Exiting Angles and Root Thickness. Turk Neurosurg. 2017

Kırcelli A, Özel Ö, Can H, Sarı R, Cansever T, Elmacı İ. Is the presence of linear fracture a predictor of delayed posterior fossa epidural hematoma? Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2016 Jul

Kavadar G, Demircioğlu DT, Can H, Emre TY, Civelek E, Senyigit A. The clinical factors associated with benefit finding of complementary medicine use in patients with back pain: A cross-sectional study with cluster analysis. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2017

Ozer AF, Suzer T, Can H, Falsafi M, Aydin M, Sasani M, Oktenoglu T. Anatomic Assessment of Variations in Kambin’s Triangle: A Surgical and Cadaver Study. World Neurosurg. 2017 Apr

Can H, Aydoseli A, Gömleksiz C, Göker B, Altunrende ME, Dolgun M, Sencer A. Combined and individual use of pancaspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh and NMDA receptor antagonist riluzole in experimental spinal cord injury. Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2017

Gomleksiz C, Erbulut DU, Can H, Kodigudla MK, Kelkar AV, Kasapoglu E, Ozer AF, Goel VK. A new lumbar fixation device alternative to pedicle-based stabilization for lumbar spine: In vitro cadaver investigation. J Spinal Cord Med. 2018 Jul 16:1-8.

Aydoseli A, Özgen U, Akgül T, Orhan EK, Adıyaman AE, Can H, Karadağ C. Subacute Traumatic Ascending Myelopathy in a 28-year-old man: A rare case. World Neurosurg. 2019 Apr 28

Article published in national refereed journals

1) Intracranial Hemangioblastomas: Clinical Evaluation of 32 Patients T. Cansever, A. Karasu, K. Hepgül, H. Can, A. Sencer Turkish Neurosurgical Journal 2007, Volume:17 

2) Halil Can, Müge Dolgun, Utku Özgen, Cengiz Gömleksiz, Furkan Diren, Aydın Aydoseli, Yavuz Aras, Altay Sencer. Microsurgical Results in Vestibular Schwannoma Patients; Retrospective Clinical Study. JAREM 2019

3) Furkan Diren , Özcan Gayretli , Halil Can , İlke Ali Gürses , Orhan Barlas. Examination of Pons-Cerebellum Cisterna Anatomy with Endoscopic Retrosigmoid Suboccipital Approach: Cadaver Study. JAREM 2019