Prof. Arzu Tiftikçi, MD

Prof. Arzu Tiftikçi, MD is a gastroenterology specialist in the Gastroenterology unit at Acibadem Maslak Hospital in İstanbul. She has more than 32 years in medicine, and her clinical work covers inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, endoscopy, Barrett’s esophagus, celiac disease, reflux, gastritis and dyspepsia, as well as the treatment of hemorrhoids and anorectal diseases.

Dr. Tiftikçi graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Medicine in 1994. Her early posts were at Gaziantep İslahiye 1 No”lu Health Center (1994–1995) and the Department of Internal Medicine of Alman Hospital (1995–1997). She completed internal medicine specialty training at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital (1997–2001) and then worked at Marmara University Gastroenterology Institute, where she also completed the Viral Hepatitis Master’s Program (2001–2004). Her advanced specialization in gastroenterology took place at Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology (2002–2006). She subsequently worked at İskenderun Devlet Hospital, Haseki Training and Research Hospital and Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital before joining Acibadem Healthcare Services in 2008. She was appointed Assistant Associate Professor in 2009 and Associate Professor in 2011 at Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology. She is a member of the Turkish Medical Association, the Turkish Gastroenterology Association, the Endoscopy Association, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, the Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Association and the Turkish Liver Research Association. Her published work includes articles on inflammatory bowel disease in Turkey, differentiation of intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn’s disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, chronic HCV infection and drug-induced esophageal injury.

Clinical focus

A central part of Dr. Tiftikçi’s practice is inflammatory bowel disease, including the treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. She also evaluates and manages upper digestive conditions such as reflux, gastritis and dyspepsia, Barrett’s esophagus and celiac disease. Endoscopy is used in her practice for diagnosis and follow-up where clinically appropriate, and she performs the balloon dilation procedure.

Her subspecialty areas include the treatment of hemorrhoids and anorectal diseases and digestive system diseases and surgery. Patients with anorectal complaints or broader digestive system conditions are assessed on an individual basis, and the options discussed depend on the findings of the clinical evaluation and any endoscopic examination.

How Dr. Tiftikçi works with international patients

Dr. Tiftikçi speaks Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for other languages. The international patient team coordinates the collection of prior reports and imaging, 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. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation before traveling.