Ülkü Tuba Parlakkılıç, MD

Ülkü Tuba Parlakkılıç, MD is a radiologist with more than 24 years in medicine. She works in the Radiology unit at Acibadem Maslak Hospital in İstanbul, where her clinical work centers on breast diseases, mammography and ultrasound imaging. Her qualifications were earned in Türkiye.

Dr. Parlakkılıç graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 2002 and completed her specialty training in radiology at İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 2008. She joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2018 and has practiced within the group since then, seeing patients at the Maslak hospital in İstanbul.

Clinical focus

The areas of expertise named for Dr. Parlakkılıç are breast diseases, mammography and ultrasound imaging. In breast radiology, mammography is an X-ray-based examination of the breast tissue that is used in the evaluation of breast conditions. Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves rather than ionizing radiation to produce real-time images and is frequently used alongside mammography or on its own, depending on the clinical question, the patient’s age and the characteristics of the breast tissue. As a radiologist, Dr. Parlakkılıç interprets these examinations and reports the findings so that the referring physician and the patient can consider the next steps.

Imaging results are read in the context of the patient’s history, symptoms and any earlier studies. When previous mammograms or ultrasound examinations exist, comparing them with current images is an ordinary part of the radiological assessment, which is why prior reports and image files are useful for a review. The appropriate examination and any further evaluation are decided on an individual basis after the clinical picture has been considered.

How Dr. Parlakkılıç works with international patients

Dr. Parlakkılıç speaks Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who prefer another language. For patients coming from abroad, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, for example MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries. The team also arranges appointments and organizes the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the patient’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the options that may be relevant. Video consultation is available for international patients, so a patient considering travel to İstanbul can speak with Dr. Parlakkılıç and have existing findings reviewed before deciding whether to make the journey. Any decision about further imaging or treatment follows an individual assessment and is not made in advance of that review.