Prof. Dr. Derya Tilki advances prostate cancer research in Germany

Dr. Derya Tilki, a urologist of Turkish descent working in Germany, is making significant contributions to prostate cancer research.

She plays a key role at the Martini Clinic Prostate Cancer Center and the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, where her work focuses on improving prostate cancer diagnostics and treatments.

Tilki’s research centers on addressing the limitations of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. “Our aim is to find more accurate biomarkers to refine prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment,” she said. Her team is also exploring new techniques like liquid biopsy for advanced prostate cancer resistant to traditional therapies.

In addition to her research, Tilki is recognized for her expertise in robotic surgery. As an international educator in this field, she’s a member of several robotic surgery associations and emphasizes the benefits of robotic surgeries, including greater precision and shorter recovery times.

With her educational background from Germany and the U.S., Dr. Tilki also contributes to medical education in Türkiye. She lectures at Koç University as a guest professor and is an advocate for increasing female representation in urology. She notes that about 30% of urologists in Germany and the U.S. are women, a significant shift in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Underlining the importance of early detection in prostate cancer, Tilki recommends regular PSA testing for men over 50 and earlier screenings for those with a family history of cancer, especially breast cancer, highlighting the connection with BRCA gene mutations.