Assoc. Prof. Songül Meltem Can, MD

Assoc. Prof. Songül Meltem Can, MD is a neurosurgeon at Acibadem Fulya Hospital in İstanbul, where she practices within the Neurosurgery unit. Her clinical work covers both cranial and spinal conditions, including brain tumors, meningioma, hydrocephalus, tethered cord syndrome, lumbar and cervical disc herniation, spinal canal stenosis, and tumors of the spine and spinal cord. With more than 39 years in medicine, she evaluates adult patients as well as children with pediatric brain tumors.

Dr. Can graduated from İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine in 1987. She then completed her specialty training at the İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery in 1994. She holds the academic title of associate professor and has been working with Acıbadem Healthcare Services since 2024.

Clinical focus

Dr. Can’s cranial practice includes the assessment and surgical treatment of brain tumors, including meningioma, a tumor that arises from the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, and brain tumors in children. These lesions are evaluated on the basis of the patient’s symptoms, neurological examination and imaging, and the surgical approach depends on the location and type of the tumor. She also manages hydrocephalus, in which cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the brain, and tethered cord syndrome, in which the spinal cord is abnormally fixed within the spinal canal.

Her spinal practice covers lumbar and cervical disc herniation, lumbar spinal canal stenosis and cervical spinal canal stenosis, as well as spinal tumors and spinal cord tumors. For degenerative spinal conditions, surgery is generally considered when symptoms persist despite other measures or when neurological findings suggest that intervention is needed. Spinal and spinal cord tumors are assessed with attention to the relationship between the lesion and the spinal cord and nerve roots. In each case, the appropriate treatment is determined individually after a review of the patient’s history, examination findings and imaging.

How Dr. Can works with international patients

Dr. Can 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 and CT 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 consultation is available for international patients who wish to discuss their case before traveling, for example to review existing findings and consider whether an in-person evaluation is appropriate.