Bulent Unal

Dr. Bülent Ünal is the Head of General Surgery at Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital. He specializes in surgical oncology and organ transplantation. The doctor previously served as a National Cancer Institute Short-Term Scientist in the United States.

Specialization and Surgical Focus

Dr. Ünal treats cancers of the breast, liver, and gastrointestinal system. He uses sentinel node techniques and ductoscopy — a procedure that lets surgeons visualize the milk ducts — for breast cancer. The specialist also performs organ transplants for adult patients. Additionally, he treats conditions like hydatid disease, pancreatitis, and diaphragmatic injuries.

The doctor uses surgical methods to help improve patient recovery and survival. His surgical series include over 120 living-donor liver recipients. He has also treated numerous cases of Fournier gangrene — a bacterial infection of the skin near the genitals — and traumatic ruptures.

Work Experience

• Head of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital
• 2015–2017 — Professor, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine
• 2007–2015 — Associate Professor, İnönü University Faculty of Medicine
• 2002–2007 — Chief Assistant of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital
• 2001–2002 — Specialist, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital
• 1997–2001 — Assistant, Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital
• 1996–1997 — General Practitioner, Rize Fındıklı Central Health Center

Education and International Training

• 1996 — Çukurova University, School of Medicine — Medical Degree
• 2001 — Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital — General Surgery Specialization
• 2008 — University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA — NCI Research Scholarship
• 2010 — University of Giessen and Marburg, Germany — Transplantation and Oncology Training
• 2012 — İnönü University Faculty of Medicine — Surgical Oncology Minor Specialty

Research and Academic Contributions

Dr. Ünal has authored numerous papers in journals like the Journal of Surgical Oncology. He contributed chapters to the Textbook of Surgical Oncology of UPMC. His research covers predictive models for breast cancer and liver transplant outcomes. Furthermore, the doctor has supervised master's theses on hyperthyroidism and organ transplantation.

Selected Publications

• "Predicting the burden of axillary disease in breast cancer patients"
• "Living donor liver transplantation techniques and outcomes"
• "The relation of thyroid volume with thyroidectomy complications"
• "Acute traumatic diaphragmatic rupture"

Professional Memberships

• Surgical Oncology Association — Board of Directors Member
• International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists
• American Society of Breast Cancer
• Turkish Surgical Association
• Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgery Association
• Association of Gastroenterology Surgery
• Ankara Surgery Association
• Ankara Breast Diseases Association
• Federation of Breast Associations