Prof. Hatice İlgen Şaşmaz, MD

Prof. Hatice İlgen Şaşmaz, MD is a pediatrician at Acibadem Adana Hospital in Adana, where she works in the Pediatrics unit. Her clinical work is centered on pediatric hematology and oncology, that is, the assessment and care of children with blood disorders and cancers. She has more than 37 years of experience in medicine and speaks Turkish and English.

Dr. Şaşmaz graduated from Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine in 1989 and began her career as a general practitioner at Osmaneli Health Center, where she worked until 1991. She then returned to Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine as a research assistant and completed her training in Child Health and Diseases in 1996. She continued at the faculty as a specialist doctor from 1996 to 1999 and completed a subspecialty program in Pediatric Hematology in 2004. Her academic appointments at the same faculty included assistant associate professor from 1999 to 2005 and associate professor from 2005. In 2012 she obtained the Medical Specialization Board qualification in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and joined Acıbadem Healthcare Services, where she has practiced since. She is a member of the Türkiye Milli Pediatri Association and the National Hemophilia Foundation.

Clinical focus

Within pediatric hematology, Dr. Şaşmaz evaluates and treats children with iron deficiency and anemia and with thalassemia, an inherited disorder of hemoglobin production. Her practice also covers malignant and pre-malignant blood diseases in children, including leukemia, lymphoma and myelodysplastic syndromes. In selected cases, care may involve bone marrow transplantation or cellular therapies, which are considered on the basis of the child’s diagnosis, disease stage and overall condition.

In pediatric oncology, her areas of expertise include pediatric brain tumors, Wilms tumor, adenocarcinoma and rare tumors of childhood. Treatment planning for these conditions depends on the individual case, and the appropriate approach is discussed with the family after the diagnostic work-up has been reviewed.

How Dr. Şaşmaz works with international patients

Dr. Şaşmaz consults in Turkish and English, and interpreters can be arranged for families who speak other languages. Before a visit, 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, and arranges appointments and the hospital visit. A first consultation typically covers the child’s history and symptoms, a review of existing imaging and previous treatments, a clinical examination and a discussion of the available options. Video consultations are available for international patients who wish to discuss a child’s case before deciding whether to travel.