Pulmonology

Pulmonology — also called chest or respiratory medicine — is the medical unit that diagnoses and treats conditions of the lungs and airways, from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to lung infections, sleep-related breathing disorders and lung cancer. At Acıbadem International, pulmonology combines accurate diagnosis and modern treatment with the resources of a large hospital group, working with the cancer team and other specialties so that breathing problems are assessed thoroughly and treated in the right way. For people travelling from abroad, that combination of precise diagnosis, effective treatment and coordinated care is what allows a wide range of respiratory conditions to be managed well.

This page explains what the pulmonology unit covers, the conditions it treats, how breathing problems are assessed, the treatments available, and how international patients are supported through diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.

What the pulmonology unit covers

Pulmonology covers the lungs and airways, and the unit is organized so that the right expertise is applied to each condition. Its main areas of work include:

• Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — common long-term airway conditions.
• Lung infections — including pneumonia and other respiratory infections.
• Lung cancer — diagnosis and treatment within the cancer team.
• Sleep-related breathing disorders — such as sleep apnea.
• Interstitial and other chronic lung diseases.
• Investigation of cough, breathlessness and other respiratory symptoms.

Because breathing problems can have many causes and sometimes connect to other systems — such as the heart — the unit works closely with related specialties, including cardiology where heart and lung problems overlap, and the cancer team for lung cancer.

Conditions we treat

The unit cares for the full range of respiratory conditions. Common reasons international patients are referred include:

• Asthma — including difficult-to-control asthma.
• COPD — and other long-term airway disease.
• Lung cancer and suspicious lung findings.
• Recurrent or serious lung infections.
• Sleep apnea and sleep-related breathing problems.
• Persistent cough, breathlessness and unexplained respiratory symptoms.

Many patients arrive seeking a clear diagnosis for troubling breathing symptoms, better control of a long-term condition, or a plan after a worrying scan. The unit’s first task is to assess accurately and explain the realistic options and the plan for managing the condition.

How conditions are assessed

Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of respiratory care, and the unit assesses each patient with the investigations that genuinely inform the plan. These may include:

• Lung function tests — measuring how well the lungs are working.
• Chest imaging — X-ray, and CT for detailed assessment.
• Bronchoscopy — examining the airways directly, where needed.
• Sleep studies — to assess sleep-related breathing disorders.

These are supported by the hospital group’s medical technologies and radiology, and findings are interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms and history. For international patients, an initial review of existing reports and imaging can often begin remotely before travel, so that a considered plan is in place.

Treatments and management

The unit offers a full range of treatment, with a strong emphasis on accurate diagnosis and effective long-term management.

Asthma and COPD

These common long-term airway conditions are managed with treatment tailored to their severity and the individual, with the aim of controlling symptoms, preventing flare-ups and supporting good day-to-day breathing. The unit takes time to find the treatment that best controls the condition while supporting quality of life.

Lung infections

Pneumonia and other respiratory infections are diagnosed and treated, with the resources of a full hospital available for more serious infections that need closer care.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is diagnosed and treated within a multidisciplinary cancer plan alongside medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery, so that treatments work together. Suspicious findings are investigated thoroughly and promptly.

Sleep and chronic lung conditions

Sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea are assessed with sleep studies and managed appropriately, and chronic lung conditions are diagnosed and managed over time. Specific treatments can be explored in the treatments library.

Managing long-term respiratory conditions

Many respiratory conditions — including asthma, COPD and other chronic lung diseases — are long-term and need attentive, ongoing management rather than a single treatment. Good care aims to control symptoms, reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups, and support the patient to breathe and live as well as possible. The unit tailors treatment to the individual and adjusts it over time, and provides clear guidance so that patients understand and can manage their condition confidently. For international patients, the unit provides a management plan that can be continued with care at home, so that long-term conditions are managed consistently. This ongoing perspective reflects the understanding that good respiratory care is often about steady, effective management over time.

Lung cancer: accurate diagnosis and coordinated treatment

Lung cancer is one of the most serious conditions the unit deals with, and good care depends on accurate, prompt diagnosis followed by coordinated treatment. A suspicious finding on a scan needs thorough investigation to determine exactly what it is, often involving detailed imaging and, where appropriate, bronchoscopy or other procedures to obtain a sample. Where lung cancer is confirmed, treatment is planned within a multidisciplinary tumor board, so that surgery, drug therapy and radiotherapy are combined in the right way for that patient. For international patients facing a worrying lung finding, this combination of accurate diagnosis and coordinated, team-based treatment — within a large hospital group — provides exactly the clarity and reassurance that such a situation demands.

The link between the lungs and the heart

Breathing problems and heart problems can be closely connected, and symptoms such as breathlessness can arise from either. The unit recognizes this overlap and, being part of a large hospital group, can work with cardiology when the heart and lungs both need consideration. This matters because the right diagnosis sometimes depends on assessing both systems together, and treatment may need to take both into account. For patients with breathlessness or complex symptoms, having pulmonology and cardiology within the same group means the cause can be identified accurately and managed in a coordinated way, rather than the lungs being assessed in isolation.

Technology and approach

Pulmonology combines accurate diagnostic testing with careful clinical judgment. The unit uses lung function tests, chest imaging, bronchoscopy and sleep studies to reach an accurate diagnosis, and modern treatments to manage conditions effectively over time. But technology serves judgment: an experienced assessment that interprets the tests in the context of the patient remains central, and care is coordinated with related specialties where conditions overlap or where cancer is involved. This combination of accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and coordinated care is what underpins good respiratory outcomes.

Your team

Your care may involve a pulmonologist with the relevant focus, and — for complex cases — oncology, cardiology, surgery and other specialists, supported by specialist nurses. The physicians who lead this unit are listed on the doctors page, and care is delivered across Acıbadem’s accredited hospitals, which maintain international quality and safety standards.

The international patient journey

The unit is organized to make respiratory care clear and well supported for international patients.

1. Remote review

You begin by sharing your history, symptoms and any test results or imaging. The team reviews them, advises on the likely options, and where helpful offers a second opinion — all before you decide to travel.

2. A clear plan

If treatment in Turkey makes sense, you receive a plan explaining what is recommended, what any investigation or treatment would involve, how long you would stay and what to expect.

3. Coordinated care

A dedicated coordinator arranges appointments, any procedures, interpreting and travel logistics. Your assessment is confirmed in person, and cancer cases are reviewed by the multidisciplinary team.

4. Follow-up

You receive clear documentation and a management and follow-up plan to continue at home, which matters for long-term conditions, and the team remains reachable for questions. To begin, request an online consultation.

Why patients choose Acıbadem for respiratory care

Acıbadem International offers experienced pulmonologists, accurate diagnosis, modern treatment, multidisciplinary cancer care, and well-coordinated international patient support — all within accredited hospitals. For patients travelling from abroad, the combination of precise diagnosis, the resources of a large hospital group for complex and connected conditions, and structured support is what sets the experience apart. From asthma to lung cancer, the unit aims to assess accurately and treat in the right way, with the depth of a leading medical system behind it.

What to expect and practical notes

Respiratory conditions vary widely, from long-term conditions managed over time to serious findings needing prompt investigation, so care and any length of stay differ from case to case. Reaching an accurate diagnosis is often the most important step, and the unit takes the time this requires. For long-term conditions, the unit provides a management plan to continue at home, and where cancer is involved, treatment is planned within the multidisciplinary team. Throughout, clear communication and honest information about what treatment can achieve are priorities.

Coordinated care for complex cases

Respiratory conditions often intersect with other areas of medicine, and treatment within a large hospital group means the right experts are already together. Lung cancer is planned with medical oncology and radiation oncology; heart-and-lung overlap is managed with cardiology; imaging is supported by radiology; and serious infections benefit from full hospital and intensive-care support. For patients with other health conditions, having the relevant specialists in the same group means care can be coordinated safely around the whole person. This joined-up approach matters most in exactly the complex cases where several needs come together.

Understanding asthma and COPD

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are the two most common long-term airway conditions, and while different, both involve difficulty with the flow of air and benefit from careful, ongoing management. Asthma involves airways that become inflamed and narrowed, often in response to triggers, and can usually be well controlled with the right treatment, allowing most people to live full, active lives. COPD, often related to long-term damage to the lungs, tends to be a more progressive condition, where good management focuses on controlling symptoms, preventing flare-ups and maintaining the best possible quality of life. The unit assesses each condition carefully — since accurate diagnosis guides the right treatment — and tailors management to the individual, adjusting it over time. For both conditions, the aim is to help patients breathe and live as well as possible, with clear guidance so they can manage their condition confidently day to day.

Breathlessness: finding the cause

Breathlessness is a common but important symptom that can arise from many causes, and finding the right one is essential to effective treatment. It may come from the lungs — through conditions such as asthma, COPD or other lung disease — or from the heart, or sometimes from a combination of both. The unit investigates breathlessness methodically, using lung function tests, imaging and other assessments to identify the cause, and works with cardiology where the heart and lungs both need consideration. This careful approach matters because treating breathlessness effectively depends entirely on understanding what is causing it. For patients who have struggled with unexplained breathlessness, reaching an accurate diagnosis can be a turning point, allowing the right treatment to begin and quality of life to improve.

Protecting lung health

Much of good respiratory care is about protecting lung health and preventing problems from worsening, and the unit places importance on this. For people with long-term conditions, this means controlling the condition well, reducing flare-ups, and providing clear guidance on staying well. For those at risk of or worried about lung disease, careful assessment can identify problems early, when they are most manageable. The unit also recognizes the importance of detecting serious conditions, including lung cancer, promptly, since early diagnosis makes a profound difference. This preventive and protective perspective — alongside treating problems that have already developed — reflects a complete approach to respiratory health, aimed at keeping patients breathing and living as well as possible for as long as possible.

Preparing for your respiratory assessment

Respiratory assessment often involves lung function tests and imaging, and the unit arranges these efficiently so that an accurate picture can be built. Before your assessment, the team advises on any preparation, and for international patients much of the groundwork can begin remotely, with existing reports and imaging reviewed before travel so that further investigation is focused and the in-person visit is used efficiently. Because breathing symptoms can have several causes, the unit takes a careful history alongside the tests and, where needed, coordinates with other specialties such as cardiology. This thorough, well-organized approach is the foundation of accurate diagnosis and effective management, and it means patients arrive informed and leave with a clear understanding of their condition and the plan for managing it.

Frequently asked questions

Can my case be reviewed before I travel?

Yes. You can share your history, symptoms and any test results or imaging for a remote assessment and receive advice on the likely options, including a second opinion where helpful, before deciding to travel.

How are asthma and COPD managed?

These long-term airway conditions are managed with treatment tailored to their severity and the individual, with the aim of controlling symptoms, preventing flare-ups and supporting good day-to-day breathing.

What happens if I have a suspicious lung finding?

A suspicious finding is investigated thoroughly and promptly, often with detailed imaging and, where appropriate, bronchoscopy, to determine exactly what it is, so that the right plan can be made.

How is lung cancer treated?

Lung cancer is treated within a multidisciplinary cancer plan alongside medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery, with decisions made by the tumor board so that treatments work together.

Do you assess sleep apnea?

Yes. Sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea are assessed with sleep studies and managed appropriately, since they can significantly affect health and quality of life.

Can you investigate a persistent cough or breathlessness?

Yes. Persistent cough, breathlessness and unexplained respiratory symptoms are investigated to find the cause, sometimes in cooperation with cardiology where the heart and lungs both need consideration.

Will my long-term condition be supported after I return home?

Yes. For long-term conditions such as asthma and COPD, the unit provides a clear management plan and follow-up so that care can continue consistently at home, and the team remains reachable for questions.

Could my breathlessness be a heart problem?

Possibly. Breathlessness can arise from the heart or the lungs, and the unit works with cardiology where both need consideration, so that the cause is identified accurately and managed in a coordinated way.

How long will I need to stay in Turkey?

It depends on the condition. Some assessments are completed relatively quickly, while complex cases need longer. Your coordinator gives a realistic estimate in advance.

Will reaching an accurate diagnosis be the priority?

Yes. Reaching an accurate diagnosis is often the most important step, and the unit takes the time required, interpreting the tests in the context of the whole patient.

Can I get a second opinion on my diagnosis or treatment?

Yes. The unit can review your case and provide an honest second opinion on your diagnosis and the most appropriate management.

Will my other health conditions be considered?

Yes. Because relevant specialists are part of the same hospital group, care is coordinated safely around any other health conditions you have.

How soon can urgent cases be seen?

Acıbadem International hospitals operate around the clock, and more urgent respiratory problems can be prioritized. Sharing your latest reports allows the team to advise quickly on the safest next step.

Can I receive care in my own language?

Yes. The international patient coordinator arranges interpreting and supports you through the practical and clinical steps of your care.

Does treatment within a hospital group help complex respiratory cases?

Yes. Having pulmonology, cardiology, oncology, imaging and intensive care within one accredited group means complex and connected conditions can be diagnosed and managed in a coordinated way around the whole person.

Will a companion be supported during my stay?

Yes. The international patient coordinator helps with practical arrangements so that a companion can accompany you during your assessment and care.

Can the wider hospital group support complex respiratory cases?

Yes. Having pulmonology, cardiology, oncology, imaging and intensive care within one accredited group means complex and connected respiratory conditions can be diagnosed and managed in a coordinated way around the whole person.

Will I receive a clear plan to take home?

Yes. For long-term conditions such as asthma and COPD, you receive clear documentation and a management and follow-up plan to continue with your own doctor, and the team remains reachable for questions.

Is treatment tailored to me?

Yes. Respiratory care is individual, so treatment is tailored to your specific condition, its severity and your circumstances, and adjusted over time, rather than following a single standard approach.

Will reaching an accurate diagnosis be the priority?

Yes. Because breathing symptoms can have several causes, reaching an accurate diagnosis is often the most important step, and the unit takes the time required, interpreting the tests in the context of the whole patient.

How soon can urgent respiratory problems be seen?

Acıbadem International hospitals operate around the clock, and more urgent respiratory problems can be prioritized. Sharing your latest reports and imaging allows the team to advise quickly on how soon you should be seen and on the safest next step for your situation.

Can I receive respiratory care in my own language?

Yes. The international patient coordinator arranges interpreting and supports you through every practical and clinical step of your care, from the first remote review through any investigation or treatment to your follow-up, so you understand each stage clearly.

Will I receive documentation for my own doctor?

Yes. You receive clear documentation of your assessment and treatment, together with a management and follow-up plan, so that your care can continue smoothly with your own doctor at home, which matters for long-term respiratory conditions.

This page provides general health information about the services of this unit and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Any diagnosis and treatment plan is determined after individual assessment by qualified specialists.