Statement from the Council of Forensic Medicine on Murat Çalık: They shared the detailed report

The Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) has issued a statement regarding Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, who was arrested as part of the operations concerning the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB).

In the statement issued by the ATK regarding the allegations concerning Çalık, it was noted that during his examination at the Specialized Board on July 16, Çalık stated that he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) M4 by the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in 1999 and had been followed up and treated for the disease.

However, the statement noted that there were no pathology reports or medical treatment documents in the judicial file provided to the board confirming that Çalık had suffered from the aforementioned disease, stating, "According to the medical documents and examination findings available in the judicial file, it is considered that he has not had active leukemia for 26 years (he is in remission). As is medically known, AML is considered a state of complete cure if it does not recur for over 10 years."

The statement continued, "In the pathology report dated July 1 from İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, it was stated by the pathology specialist that the blast ratio was around 4-5 percent, that the biopsy sample taken was mostly from an area without marrow, referred to as cortical bone, that this biopsy result was not of a diagnostic quality at the desired level due to the insufficiency of the bone marrow material taken, and that further examination and evaluation at a center with advanced hematology and pathology facilities were recommended in case of clinical suspicion of malignancy.

In the laboratory examination performed, the blast ratio in flow cytometry was 1-2 percent, no atypical (abnormal) cells were observed in the bone marrow aspiration evaluation, and no findings in favor of dysplasia (abnormal cell production) were found in the genetic examinations. When the individual's medical documents and laboratory findings, along with his current medical status and hematological evaluation, are considered together, the blast ratio of the individual was evaluated by our relevant Specialized Board as 3-4 percent."

The statement expressed that the pathology and health board reports dated July 1 and 7 from İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital clearly stated that all pathological results and evaluations belonging to Çalık were recorded completely and accurately, and that the blast ratio was 4-5 percent, adding:

"There is no falsification in the opinion issued by our Specialized Board. According to the 2023 World Health Organization Criteria, a blast ratio of 20 percent or higher is required to diagnose a person with acute myeloid leukemia. A blast ratio between 5-19 percent means myelodysplastic syndrome (the bone marrow structure deteriorating and producing abnormal blood cells). However, no findings in favor of dysplasia (abnormal cell production) or recurrence were detected in the bone marrow aspiration biopsy and genetic examinations of the individual, who has not had active disease for 26 years (is in remission)."

The statement noted that in Çalık's blood count test on July 11, the leukocyte count was 5,660 and the neutrophil count was 3,400, and that similar results were observed in other recent blood count tests.

Therefore, it was stated that it was determined there was no leukopenia or neutropenia, adding, "It is medically known that for a diagnosis of leukopenia, the leukocyte value must be below 4,000, and for a diagnosis of neutropenia, the neutrophil value must be below 1,000. A diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (parotid gland tumor) was made with a biopsy taken in 2008, and he recovered from this disease after surgery and radiation therapy. This disease has not recurred since 2008, and he has had no active disease for approximately 17 years (he is in remission). This disease, which has not recurred for over 10 years, has also been accepted as completely cured."

The statement noted that the mass on the right side of Çalık's neck was removed and that pathological examination determined it to be a benign mass.

"NO FINDINGS OF MUSCLE LOSS WERE DETECTED"

The statement conveyed that according to the medical documents sent in the judicial file and the laboratory, hematological, and pathological examinations, a diagnosis of lymphoma (lymph node cancer) was not present in Çalık's medical history, contrary to allegations, stating, "In the examination conducted by our relevant Specialized Board on July 16, it was stated that the individual complained of weight loss, a matter which is included in our issued opinion; his body weight was measured at 85 kilograms and his height at 183 centimeters, and his body mass index was found to be within normal limits (25.38). Furthermore, no findings of significant muscle loss or cachexia (severe wasting) were detected."

The statement pointed out that for a definitive hematological and pathological diagnosis to be made for Çalık, as recorded in the July 1 pathology report from İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, it was concluded that it would be appropriate to repeat the bone marrow biopsy, which was insufficient for pathological diagnosis, and to have it evaluated by pathologists specialized in the field of hemato-pathology using more sensitive and advanced methods, noting the following:

"Contrary to what has been alleged, our institution has one internal medicine hematology (Assoc. Prof. Dr.), one pediatric hematology-oncology (Prof. Dr.), and two internal medicine medical oncology (Prof. Dr.) faculty members, and the opinion was issued by taking the views of the internal medicine hematology specialist and the internal medicine medical oncology board member. When the individual's pathological and laboratory examinations and current health status examination are evaluated together; since a definitive medical diagnosis could not be made, our relevant Specialized Board stated in its opinion that he should be referred to a full-fledged training and research hospital or university hospital with internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and psychiatry clinics, and that his hospitalization should be ensured so that all necessary advanced examinations and medical treatments can be performed."

"AFTER THE REQUESTED EXAMINATIONS AND PROCEDURES ARE COMPLETED..."

The statement included the following: "As stated in the opinion issued by our relevant Specialized Board on July 16, after the requested examinations and procedures are completed, and after the health board report showing the individual's final status and the results of the examinations are sent, our relevant Specialized Board will conduct a re-evaluation regarding the questions asked and a final decision will be made."

News Source: 12punto