Prof. Fulya Ağaoğlu, MD

Prof. Fulya Ağaoğlu, MD is a radiation oncologist working in the Radiation Oncology unit at Acibadem Atakent Hospital in İstanbul. She has more than 33 years in medicine. Her clinical work centers on radiotherapy for patients with cancer, including head and neck cancers, brain tumors, breast cancer and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as brachytherapy.

Dr. Ağaoğlu graduated from İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1993 and completed her specialty training in Radiation Oncology at the same faculty in 1997. In 1995 she spent time as an observer at Royal Marsden Hospital in London. She was appointed Associate Professor in 2006 and Professor in 2013. In 2009 she served as Chief Physician of the Oncology Institute, and in 2010 she took on responsibility for revenue administration and general administration processes at the institute. She joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services in 2013. She is a member of the Turkish Oncology Association, Turk Radyasyon Onkolojisi Dernegi and the Thoracic Oncology Association. Her co-authored publications in peer-reviewed journals cover topics such as recurrent Ewing sarcoma family tumors and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in pediatric patients, circulating microRNAs and plasma markers in prostate cancer, solitary plasmacytoma, soft tissue sarcomas of the head and neck region, and rhabdomyosarcoma in adolescent and adult patients.

Clinical focus

Dr. Ağaoğlu evaluates and plans radiotherapy for a range of cancers. Her areas of expertise include head and neck cancers, brain tumors, breast cancer and gastrointestinal oncology. In these settings, radiotherapy may be considered on its own or alongside surgery and systemic treatment, depending on the diagnosis, the stage of disease and the patient’s overall condition. Decisions on whether radiotherapy is appropriate, and in what form, are made after a review of the individual case.

She also performs brachytherapy, a form of radiotherapy in which a radiation source is placed inside or close to the area being treated. Whether external radiotherapy, brachytherapy or a combination is suitable is determined case by case, taking into account the tumor site, previous treatments and imaging findings.

How Dr. Ağaoğlu works with international patients

Dr. Ağaoğlu speaks 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 possible options. Video consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their situation before traveling, although a final treatment plan generally depends on an in-person assessment and up-to-date imaging.