Dilara Akbulut, MD
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Areas of Expertise
My Specialties
- Surgical pathology
Get to Know Me
I’m a surgical pathologist who is an expert in genitourinary pathology, which relates to cancers of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. I also have a strong background in cancer research, which helps translate lab discoveries into better care for patients.
I have advanced training in pathology from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including advanced fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). My training has given me extensive experience in examining complex surgical tissue samples to look for cancer.
I focus on helping diagnose bladder and testicular cancers, prostate and kidney cancers, and other genitourinary tumors. These include rare and aggressive cancers such as neuroendocrine carcinomas.
To give you the most accurate diagnosis, I examine the tissue and its characteristics. I also use advanced molecular tests and special cell-staining techniques (immunohistochemistry). This detailed approach helps us understand the exact biology of each tumor.
My research focuses on understanding what makes each genitourinary cancer unique. I focus on how tumors grow, how different cancer subtypes behave, and what these biological clues mean for treatment options.
I have contributed to studies using the latest molecular testing and spatial profiling, an advanced technique that maps out cancer cells and their surrounding immune environment. Learning how tumors interact with nearby immune cells helps us identify newer, more effective treatment options.
High-quality pathology is important for delivering cancer care that is personal and tailored to each person’s diagnosis. Every tumor is different, and the right treatment plan starts with an exact diagnosis. I value a careful diagnostic approach that is based on research and actual data. I work closely with experts across teams to help guide treatment decisions and support the best possible results for patients.
I'm a pathologist, which is a doctor who diagnoses and studies diseases by looking at body tissues, blood, and fluids.
- Assistant Attending Physician
My Specialties
- Surgical pathology
Education
- Doctor of Medicine, Gazi University, Turkey
Residencies
- Anatomic Pathology, Ankara University, Turkey
- Anatomic Pathology, National Cancer Institute
Fellowships
- Genitourinary Pathology Fellowship, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Board Certifications
- Anatomic Pathology
Awards and Honors
- Stipend Award for Excellence in Genitourinary Pathology Research, International Society of Urological Pathology (2024)
- Best Research Study, Genitourinary Pathology Society (GUPS) (2023)
Insurance Information
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In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS, Transplant
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
Starting January 1, 2027, MSK will no longer be in-network for Healthfirst Medicare plans. This applies to all Healthfirst Medicare Advantage plans and dual-eligible Medicare Advantage special needs plans.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
This is a dual payer plan, which means 2 health insurance companies share this plan. MSK providers are out-of-network with UnitedHealthcare.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
This plan is in-network at our New York sites only.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO EPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
Your plan may not cover visits to our New York sites. Please call the number on the back of your insurance card to see what your health plan covers.
In Network Coverage Type
TBD
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
HMO (City Employee Health Plans Gold and Gold Care Only)
In Network Coverage Type
Supplemental
In Network Coverage Type
PPO/OAP
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, EPO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
Learn more about the insurance plans that participate with MSK.
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If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.
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Contact and Location
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Colleagues
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Clinical Trials
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Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Akbulut D, Whiting K, Teo MY, et al. Differential NEUROD1, ASCL1, and POU2F3 expression defines molecular subsets of bladder small cell/neuroendocrine carcinoma with prognostic implications. Mod Pathol. 2024;37(10):100557. doi:10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100557
Chu CE, Chen Z, Whiting K, Ostrovnaya I, Lenis AT, Clinton TN, Rammal R, Ozcan GG, Akbulut D, et al. Clinical outcomes, genomic heterogeneity, and therapeutic considerations across histologic subtypes of urothelial carcinoma. Eur Urol. 2025;88(5):472-481. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2025.04.008
Akbulut D, Al-Ahmadie H. Neuroendocrine tumours of the urinary bladder: recent advances. Histopathology. 2026;88(1):108-121. doi:10.1111/his.70044
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Akbulut’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
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