Sema Yilmaz

Prof. Sema Yilmaz is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Private Koru Ankara Hospital. She is a member of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR). Dr. Yilmaz focuses on cell therapies and immunology for childhood cancers. Her work also involves investigating genetic pathways in cancer metastasis.

Specialization and Research Focus

Dr. Yilmaz treats pediatric conditions using modern therapeutic techniques for childhood tumors and blood disorders. Her clinical practice includes treating:

• Wilms tumor — a type of kidney cancer that primarily affects children
• Neuroblastoma — cancer that develops from immature nerve cells
• Rhabdomyosarcoma — a rare cancer that forms in soft tissue
• Ewing's sarcoma — a type of cancer that grows in bones or the soft tissue around bones
• Retinoblastoma — an eye cancer that begins in the retina
• Lymphoma and other hematological cancers

The doctor’s clinical interests include cell therapies and cancer immunology. She investigates genetic pathways responsible for cancer metastasis, which is the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. Dr. Yilmaz also researches pulmonary microbiota and performs BAL transplantation — a procedure involving bronchoalveolar lavage to collect samples from the lungs.

Clinical Experience

Dr. Yilmaz has practiced in medical centers in the USA and Turkey. Before her current role, she worked as a general practitioner for 4 years.

• Since 2023 — Specialist Physician at Private Koru Ankara Hospital, Turkey
• Professor at Usak University Medical Faculty, Turkey
• Visiting Researcher at Harvard University, Boston, USA
• Visiting Researcher at Houston MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
• Visiting Researcher at University of North Carolina (UNC), USA
• Doctor Researcher at Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital (5 years)

Education and Training

The specialist completed her medical training and residency in Turkey. She earned a subspecialty in pediatric hematology and oncology. Her subspecialty thesis compared gene expression in healthy children and neuroblastoma patients.

• Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty — Undergraduate Degree
• Zeynep Kamil Women's and Children's Health Hospital — Residency in Pediatrics
• Cukurova University — Medical Subspecialty in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Professional Memberships

Dr. Yilmaz is active in numerous national and international medical societies.

• European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
• Turkish Pediatric Oncology Group
• Turkish Hematology Association
• Molecular Oncology Association (MOKAD)
• Turkish Pediatric Association
• Pediatrics Specialty Academy Association (PUADER)
• Turkish Immunology Association
• Turkish Medical Association
• Turkish National Pediatrics Association