When a patient considers treatment within the Memorial Group, Istanbul should not automatically be the first choice. In Turkey’s capital, Memorial Ankara Hospital brings together multiple diagnostic and treatment specialties, with particularly prominent services in oncology, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, bone marrow transplantation, IVF, neurosurgery, and orthopedics.
The important question is not the branch name itself, but a more practical one: Are the doctor and medical service you need available in Ankara, or would your case benefit more from another hospital within the Memorial network?
In many cases, this question can begin to be answered before traveling by reviewing medical reports and imaging studies and identifying the appropriate specialty.
Can Your Condition Be Treated in Ankara Instead of Traveling to Istanbul?
Yes, in many cases, provided that the required physician and medical service are available at the Ankara branch.
Memorial highlights cardiovascular surgery, interventional cardiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, bone marrow transplantation, IVF, orthopedics, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology among the prominent specialties at Memorial Ankara Hospital, alongside other departments that work through a multidisciplinary approach.
For this reason, Ankara may be a practical choice for a patient who needs cancer treatment, cardiac evaluation, IVF, or bone marrow transplantation, especially when the required physician works at this branch.
However, proximity to the city or ease of travel is not enough on its own. If the required procedure or the physician most relevant to the case is located at Şişli, Ataşehir, or another Memorial branch, changing branches may be more reasonable than insisting on Ankara.
This is an important principle when choosing a hospital: the branch should be selected after identifying the needs of the medical case, not the other way around.
Memorial Ankara in Numbers
Memorial Ankara Hospital is located in Çankaya, Ankara, and is the tenth hospital within the Memorial Group. The current official Turkish page lists the following figures:
| Information | Current Data |
|---|---|
| Indoor Area | 42,000 m² |
| Number of Beds | 169 beds |
| Intensive Care Beds | 33 |
| Operating Rooms | 10 |
| Outpatient Clinics | 83 |
| Position Within the Group | Memorial’s 10th hospital |
| City | Ankara |
| District | Çankaya |
These figures provide an overview of the facility’s size, but they are not sufficient on their own to determine whether it is the right choice. For the patient, the more important factor is whether the required consultation, imaging, laboratory tests, treatment, surgery, and follow-up can be coordinated within a single pathway.
Which Medical Services May Make Patients Consider Traveling to Memorial Ankara?
It is not useful to present dozens of departments as though they are equally relevant. Some centers are more directly connected to the decision to travel for treatment from another city or country.
Cancer Treatment and Oncology
Memorial Ankara Hospital includes an oncology center that brings together several specialties involved in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Memorial describes the center as operating through a multidisciplinary approach, with medical oncology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, and surgery integrated within the care pathway.
This is important because a cancer patient usually needs more than simply an “oncologist.”
The case may begin with a biopsy report, followed by pathology review, imaging, and staging. The treatment decision may then involve surgery, systemic therapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments.
A potential pathway may be:
Pathology → Imaging and Staging → Tumor Board → Treatment Selection → Response Follow-Up
What Does a Tumor Board Mean?
Instead of each specialty determining its plan separately, cases that require more than one field can be discussed jointly by the relevant physicians.
Memorial states that surgical decisions at the Oncology Center of Memorial Ankara Hospital are discussed within the tumor board, taking into consideration the patient’s medical, psychological, and personal factors when establishing the treatment plan.
This approach can become important when several reasonable options exist, such as:
- Should surgery come first, or should treatment be given before surgery?
- Should radiation therapy be part of the plan?
- Would PET-CT change the disease stage or treatment decision?
- Does the tumor require more than one surgical specialty?
A multidisciplinary board does not mean that every patient needs a large number of doctors. It means that complex cases can benefit from the involvement of specialties that can genuinely influence the treatment decision.
PET-CT and Radiation Therapy at Memorial Ankara
PET-CT is available within the Nuclear Medicine Department at Memorial Ankara Hospital. The official oncology center page states that it is used for tumor assessment, staging, treatment response evaluation, and selected stages of radiation therapy planning.
For radiation therapy, Memorial currently lists TrueBeam STx and Elekta Versa HD in the Radiation Oncology Department at the Ankara branch. However, the availability of these technologies does not mean that every cancer patient needs them.
Surgery may be the main treatment in one case, while another patient may need systemic therapy, and PET-CT may not be necessary for some cancer types or stages. In other words, technology comes after defining the medical question, not before it.
Bone Marrow Transplantation: When Is Ankara Worth Considering?
Having a Bone Marrow Transplant Center within the hospital can be especially important for patients with certain malignant blood disorders or bone marrow diseases.
The Memorial Ankara Oncology Center page states that the hospital has a 12-bed bone marrow transplant unit treating conditions that include leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and selected cases of bone marrow failure, depending on medical evaluation.
Does Every Patient With Blood Cancer Need a Bone Marrow Transplant?
No. A diagnosis of leukemia or lymphoma does not automatically mean that transplantation is the next step. The decision depends on the disease type and characteristics, response to previous treatment, the patient’s age and general condition, and the type of transplant that may be considered.
The pathway may include:
- Confirming the diagnosis
- Bone marrow examination and immunologic/molecular testing
- Reviewing previous treatment
- Determining whether transplantation is needed
- Donor evaluation when required
- Preparation
- Transplantation
- Follow-up
For this reason, it is useful to send the Bone Marrow report, Flow Cytometry results, genetic and molecular tests, and details of previous treatment before traveling rather than simply stating, “I have leukemia.”
Cardiology Departments at Memorial Ankara: Which One Do You Need?
One of the most common mistakes is searching for a “cardiologist” when the case may specifically require interventional cardiology or cardiovascular surgery.
Memorial lists Cardiovascular Surgery and Interventional Cardiology among the core fields at the Ankara branch, alongside Cardiology.
The difference can be simplified as follows:
| Field | When Is It Usually Involved? |
|---|---|
| Cardiology | Diagnosis, medication, follow-up, and assessment of heart diseases |
| Interventional Cardiology | Catheterization, stents, and catheter-based cardiac procedures when appropriate |
| Cardiovascular Surgery | When the condition requires heart or vascular surgery |
For example, coronary artery narrowing does not automatically mean that the treatment will involve stenting or surgery. The decision depends on the location and severity of the narrowing, the number of vessels affected, heart function, and other medical factors.
IVF at Memorial Ankara: Evaluation Before Choosing IVF
One of the clear strengths of the Ankara branch is the presence of an IVF and Reproductive Health Center that focuses on infertility treatment and reproductive health rather than simply performing IVF cycles.
Memorial Ankara Center is described as including an IVF clinic, embryology and andrology laboratories, research laboratories, and genetic diagnostic services. It provides evaluation of male and female infertility in addition to IUI, IVF/ICSI, and embryo-related services when appropriate.
Does Every Couple With Infertility Need IVF?
No. The first step is to identify the cause of infertility.
The problem may be related to ovulation, the fallopian tubes, endometriosis, ovarian reserve, or male factors, and some cases may be treated without moving directly to IVF.
A logical pathway may be:
- Evaluation of both partners
- Identifying the cause
- Selecting the treatment
- IUI or IVF/ICSI when appropriate
- Embryo monitoring
- Embryo transfer
- Follow-up
Does Every IVF Patient Need Genetic Testing of Embryos?
No. The availability of genetic services does not mean they are used in every treatment cycle. The medical team determines the need based on medical and reproductive history and the existing indications.
A Practical Advantage at Memorial Ankara: Sharing Medical Files Across Memorial Branches
A patient may choose Ankara and then, during evaluation, need a medical opinion from a team in Istanbul. Does that mean immediate transfer is necessary?
Not always. Memorial states that radiology images and laboratory results at Ankara Hospital are stored digitally and can be transferred to the relevant departments. The system also allows integration with other Memorial hospitals and enables physicians working at different locations to consult on the same images.
This can be useful when a case requires an additional opinion because it allows the decision about transferring to another branch to be based on medical necessity rather than traveling preemptively from the beginning.
However, this does not mean that all procedures can be completed remotely. If the required physician or procedure is available only at another hospital, transfer may still be necessary.
Medical Imaging: What Is Available at Memorial Ankara?
Based on information from Memorial Ankara Hospital, the following are available:
- 256-slice CT scanner
- MRI scanner with a 70 cm bore, which is wider than many conventional MRI systems
- MRI-compatible anesthesia and monitoring equipment
A wider bore may improve comfort for some patients who find closed MRI systems difficult to tolerate, but it does not change the basic principle: the correct imaging protocol and interpretation by a radiologist are more important than the device name alone.
Likewise, MRI is not automatically a substitute for CT, and vice versa. The physician selects the imaging method according to the organ and the diagnostic question.
Does Newer Technology Mean Better Treatment?
Not necessarily. This is an important point for patients to understand before comparing hospitals based only on device names.
The availability of PET-CT, TrueBeam, or a modern MRI system may be important when the case genuinely requires that technology. If the condition can be diagnosed or treated more appropriately using a simpler method, the treatment plan does not become better merely because a more advanced device is used.
The real value comes from three elements working together:
Correct diagnosis + Appropriate technology selection + Team experience with the condition
For this reason, a hospital should not be selected for cancer treatment solely because it has TrueBeam, nor should a surgery be chosen simply because it can be performed robotically.
What About Robotic Surgery at Memorial Ankara?
Memorial has documented cases of procedures performed using Da Vinci at the Ankara branch, including urologic surgeries. However, robotic surgery is not an independent type of treatment suitable for every operation.
In some cases, open surgery or conventional laparoscopy may be more appropriate. The surgeon determines the method after evaluating the location and size of the disease, previous surgeries, overall health, and their experience with each technique.
Therefore, the better question is not: “Is Da Vinci available?” but rather: “Would my condition genuinely benefit from robotic surgery, and who is the surgeon who will perform it?”
Pediatric Services at Memorial Ankara
Children are not simply smaller adults. Assessment, imaging, medication, and follow-up differ according to age and development.
According to Memorial’s official website, the Child Health Center at Memorial Ankara Hospital separates clinics for sick children from clinics used for routine follow-up and examinations.
When choosing a hospital for a child with a more complex condition, the required subspecialty becomes the priority. The child may need Pediatric Neurology, pediatric surgery, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, or another specialty rather than general pediatrics alone.
Do Not Start With the Department Name—Start With the Patient’s Medical Problem
Choosing the wrong department can add an unnecessary appointment before reaching the right physician.
| If the Medical File Includes | Potential Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Biopsy-confirmed cancer | Oncology Center and the specialty related to the affected organ |
| A mass without a final diagnosis | Organ-specific specialty + radiology and pathology when required |
| Leukemia or lymphoma | Hematology |
| Evaluation for bone marrow transplantation | Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Center |
| Coronary artery narrowing | Cardiology / Interventional Cardiology |
| Repeated IVF failure | IVF and Reproductive Health Center |
| Brain tumor | Neurosurgery with imaging review |
| Complex joint injury | Orthopedics and Traumatology |
The department may change after the medical file is reviewed, and this is not necessarily an error. Identifying the correct specialty is itself part of the medical evaluation.
How Do You Choose a Doctor at Memorial Ankara?
A broad specialty name is not enough. Two physicians in the same department may have different areas of focus. One neurosurgeon may focus more on brain tumors, while another may specialize more in spine surgery. The same principle applies to oncology, cardiology, and orthopedics.
For this reason, physician selection should begin with four questions:
What is the diagnosis? Which organ is affected? What is the potential treatment? Does the case require a subspecialist?
The medical file can then be matched with the physician rather than sending the case to the first name listed under the department.
It is also important to confirm that the physician is currently practicing at the Ankara branch when booking the appointment, as physician lists may change over time.
What Should You Send Before Requesting an Appointment?
The more organized the medical file is, the more useful the initial review can be.
| Type of Condition | Useful Files Before Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Oncology | Biopsy and pathology report, CT/MRI/PET-CT, previous treatments |
| Hematology | CBC, Bone Marrow, Flow Cytometry, Cytogenetics/Genetics, and previous treatments |
| Cardiology | ECG, Echo, angiography reports and images, previous surgeries or stents |
| IVF | AMH, hormone tests, semen analysis, reports from previous IVF cycles |
| Neurosurgery | MRI/CT in DICOM format and medical reports |
| Orthopedics and Traumatology | X-ray/MRI/CT and reports from previous injuries or surgeries |
Is the Written Report Enough?
Sometimes it may be enough for an initial inquiry, but it may not be sufficient for a more detailed decision. In oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and cardiology, the physician may need the original images, DICOM files, or catheterization recordings rather than the written report alone.
Will the Hospital Ask Me to Repeat Tests I Had in My Country?
Not necessarily. A previous examination may be suitable for review if it is recent, appropriate for the clinical question, and the original images are available in good quality.
However, the physician may request that the examination be repeated if it is outdated, does not include the required protocol, the patient’s condition has changed since it was performed, or the complete images are unavailable.
This means that submitting the medical file before traveling can help determine whether some examinations can be reviewed in advance and which ones may need to be repeated.
What Can Be Done Before Arriving in Ankara?
For cases that allow preliminary review, the process can begin with previous reports and imaging studies, followed by identifying the department and physician and determining whether additional documents are needed.
The result may fall into one of three scenarios:
- The file is sufficient to schedule an appointment with the appropriate specialty.
- An additional examination or report should be sent first.
- The patient may benefit from another Memorial branch or more than one center within the group.
This stage is important for international patients because it reduces the number of decisions that need to be made only after arrival.
How Long Does the Treatment Journey at Memorial Ankara Take?
There is no single duration that applies to every patient:
- A medical consultation may require only a short visit if the available reports and tests are sufficient.
- Oncology evaluation may require pathology review, imaging, and multidisciplinary consultation before the final plan is established.
- Surgery involves preoperative preparation, hospitalization, and postoperative follow-up, with duration varying according to the procedure.
- Bone marrow transplantation is naturally a longer process because of preparation, transplantation, and close follow-up.
- IVF depends on the treatment cycle, ovarian response, and the center’s protocol rather than a fixed number of days.
For this reason, travel planning should be based on the preliminary medical plan rather than on a duration published for other patients.
Cost of Treatment at Memorial Ankara
There is no single “treatment price at Memorial Ankara Hospital” that applies to all patients.
Even two people with the same diagnosis may have different treatment plans.
For a Consultation
The cost depends on the physician and specialty, and may also include an extended review of the medical file or imaging.
When Additional Diagnosis Is Needed
Costs may include laboratory tests, MRI, CT, PET-CT, or pathology review depending on the case.
When Planning Surgery
The cost is affected by the type of surgery, surgeon, anesthesia, operating room, length of hospital stay, intensive care, and medical materials used.
For Cancer Treatment
The price depends on the type of systemic or radiation treatment, number of sessions, medications, imaging, and follow-up.
For IVF
The cost may include evaluation, treatment protocol, medications, laboratory services, the procedure, and additional services when required.
For Bone Marrow Transplantation
The estimate depends on the type of transplant, examinations, preparation, hospitalization, care, and follow-up.
For this reason, submitting the medical file before requesting a price is more accurate than asking for the cost of a disease based only on its name.
Are Prices Published on Booking Websites the Final Hospital Price?
They should not be considered the final hospital price. Some websites may publish prices for specific packages or procedures, but those figures may not include every component of the treatment plan or may relate to a different period or patient profile.
The better reference for the patient is a cost estimate based on the current medical file and the service recommended by the hospital.
This is particularly important in oncology, surgery, bone marrow transplantation, and IVF, where treatment plans and costs vary according to details that cannot be determined from the diagnosis name alone.
Quality and Accreditation at Memorial Ankara Hospital
The Memorial Group’s current corporate page lists Memorial Ankara Hospital among the hospitals associated with JCI – Joint Commission International certification within the group’s quality accreditation presentation.
Quality accreditation alone does not determine the outcome of treatment for an individual patient, but it is one element used to assess institutional care and safety systems.
How Does Memorial Ankara Serve International Patients?
Memorial Ankara Hospital states that it holds an International Health Tourism Authorization Certificate and receives patients traveling from outside Turkey.
For patients traveling for treatment, the most practical sequence is:
- Submit the medical file
- Identify the specialty
- Select the physician
- Complete missing documents
- Receive an initial cost estimate
- Schedule the appointment
- Arrange arrival
- Attend the examination and establish the final treatment plan
Tabibak Healthcare helps organize the medical file and coordinate communication regarding the physician, appointment, and international patient arrangements, while diagnosis, treatment decisions, and the final treatment plan remain the responsibility of the physician and hospital.
Where Is Memorial Ankara Hospital Located?
The hospital is located in Çankaya, Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
Current official address:
Balgat Mah. Naim Süleymanoğlu Cad. No:4
Çankaya / Ankara, Türkiye
Memorial describes the location of Memorial Ankara Hospital as convenient for patients traveling from Ankara, Central Anatolia, the Black Sea region, and from abroad.
Memorial Ankara or Memorial Şişli?
There is no single answer. The choice depends more on the required service and physician than on the popularity of the branch name.
| Condition | What Is Worth Checking? |
|---|---|
| Cancer treatment and the patient prefers the capital | Memorial Ankara Hospital may be worth evaluating |
| Bone marrow transplantation | Compare the physician and treatment plan between Ankara and Şişli |
| IVF | The physician and the center’s experience with the specific fertility problem |
| Liver or kidney transplantation | Check the appropriate transplant branch; Şişli has a clearly established liver and kidney transplant center |
| Cardiology or interventional cardiology | The physician and required procedure available in Ankara |
| Highly specialized surgery | Choose the branch that has the required surgeon and technology |
The point is not to prove that Ankara is better than Istanbul or vice versa. The goal is to avoid sending the patient to a city or branch that does not add meaningful value to the treatment plan.
Does Your Medical File Actually Require Memorial Ankara?
The decision can be divided into three situations:
- Ankara appears suitable initially when the required physician and medical service are available at the branch and the treatment pathway can be completed there.
- The medical file needs additional information when the diagnosis is incomplete or the available images and reports are insufficient to select the correct physician.
- Another branch may be more appropriate than Memorial Ankara when treatment requires a center, surgeon, or technology associated with another Memorial branch.
This approach is more useful than treating every inquiry as a direct hospital booking request.
Before Booking Your Trip to Ankara
The best starting point is not purchasing a flight ticket, but preparing the medical file.
Having pathology results, original imaging studies, medical reports, and recent laboratory tests makes it possible to answer the most important question first: Is Memorial Ankara Hospital the right branch, and which physician should review the case?
After that, it becomes easier to determine what additional information is needed, the expected duration of the visit, the preliminary cost, and whether there is a medical reason to choose another branch.
