Dr. Alper Sonkaya

Dr. Alper Sonkaya is a medical oncologist working in the Medical Oncology Department at Acibadem Altunizade Hospital and Acibadem Atasehir Hospital in Istanbul. He has more than 21 years in medicine, and his clinical work centers on the medical treatment of solid tumors in adults. He graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Medicine in 2005, completed his Internal Medicine training at Dr.Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Training and Research Hospital in 2011, and completed his Medical Oncology training at Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine in 2016.

His professional experience spans primary care, Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology settings. He worked at Görümlü Health Center from 2006 to 2007, followed by the Internal Medicine Clinic of Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Training and Research Hospital from 2007 to 2011 and Akçakale Devlet Hospital from 2011 to 2013. From 2013 to 2016 he worked in the Medical Oncology Clinic of the Kocaeli University Department of Internal Medicine, and from 2016 to 2018 at Ümraniye Training and Research Hospital. Dr. Sonkaya is a member of the Turkish Medical Association Istanbul Medical Chamber, the European Society of Medical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Medical Oncology Association.

Clinical focus

Dr. Sonkaya provides medical oncology assessment and care planning across a range of solid tumors. His areas of expertise include head and neck cancers, brain tumors, liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, and lung and thoracic cancers. In these tumor types, his role typically involves reviewing the diagnosis and staging information available, considering the medical treatment options that may be appropriate, and coordinating care planning with the other specialties involved in a patient’s treatment.

He also treats gynecological and other common cancers, including endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancers. The suitability of any treatment depends on the individual patient’s diagnosis, disease stage, general health and previous treatments, and is discussed with the patient after a full review of their records.

How Dr. Sonkaya works with international patients

Dr. Sonkaya consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for patients who speak other languages. Before a visit, the Acibadem international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, such as MRI, CT, X-ray or ultrasound reports, laboratory and pathology results, operative notes and discharge summaries, and arranges appointments and 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. Video consultations are available for international patients who wish to discuss their case before deciding whether to travel.