TSMU hosted an international workshop on surgical treatment of breast cancer
On January 25-26, 2018, Ternopil State Medical University and Ternopil Regional Clinical Oncology Center hosted an international workshop Breast Cancer. Surgical Treatment organized by the European-Asian Society for Breast Disease with the participation of cancer specialists from Italy and Georgia.
Their knowledge and practical experience shared vice-rector of Tbilisi State Medical University, head of oncology department of the Tbilisi State Medical University Clinic, professor Irakli Kokhreidze (Tbilisi, Georgia); Vice-President of the European-Asian Society for Breast Disease (EURAMA), professor of general surgery of the University of Milan School of Medicine, professor of the European School of Oncology Stefano Zurrida (Milan, Italy); specialist in plastic reconstructive surgery and microsurgery, director of the Oncology Department of Milan National Cancer Institute Andrea Spano (Milan, Italy); director of the Breast Cancer Department of San Gerardo Clinic, professor of the University of Milan-Bicocca Riccardo Giovanazzi (Monza, Italy); and director of IRCCS National Cancer Institute Department of Pathology, associate professor of the University of Milan School of Medicine Department of Pathology Giancarlo Pruneri (Milan, Italy).
Prior to the start of the workshop, the visitors met with TSMU rector professor Mykhaylo Korda to discuss directions for scientific and practical cooperation in the area of prevention and treatment of breast cancer.
Opening the workshop, TSMU rector professor Mykhaylo Korda noted that today in Ukraine cancers are among the most frequent diseases. “In the past 10 years, cancer incidence has increased by 14%. In women the most common form of cancer is breast cancer. In fact, every fifth case of cancer is breast cancer. In Ukraine, over the past 20 years, the incidence of this disease has increased fourfold, from 17 to 70 cases per 100,000 women. These figures demonstrate the fact that Ukrainian population is aging. However, unfortunately, the incidence of this disease also grows among the women of working age. In Europe, the five-year survival rate among women with breast cancer is 80-82%, in the United States this figure is 91%, while in Ukraine it is only 56%. There are a number of factors contributing to this situation. Starting from a low level of public awareness, a low level of medical knowledge among general public all the way to the poor state of our cancer clinics, their equipment and facilities, caused by the catastrophic economic situation in Ukraine and poverty of its population. Many patients are not being treated in specialized oncology hospitals. Accordingly, the issue of fighting this disease today is quite serious. Any help that we can receive from our international partners is important. I am convinced that the knowledge and skills received during the two-day workshop will be utilized by our doctors in their work”, – said Dr. Korda.
Dr. Korda also introduced EURAMA, noting that this organization has been successfully working for a long time. EURAMA has played a key role in organizing the workshop and bringing in the leading Italian cancer specialists and scholars. Dr. Korda thanked director of the organization in Milan Victoriia Zelinska as well as its Georgian partners who had initiated the event and participated in organizing it.
Chief physician of Ternopil Regional Clinical Oncology Center, professor Leonid Shkrobot presented a report on the epidemiology and treatment of breast cancer in Ternopil region.
Director of IRCCS National Cancer Institute Department of Pathology, associate professor of the University of Milan School of Medicine Department of Pathology Giancarlo Pruneri presented his report Resection margins in intraductal and invasive cancer, Sentinel node in 2017, Endocrine therapy or chemotherapy in ER+ patients: the market or the lab? and Setting the scene of breast cancer research and cure in the next five years.
Director of the Breast Cancer Department of San Gerardo Clinic, professor of the University of Milan-Bicocca Riccardo Giovanazzi gave presentations on Expanding conservative surgery: Oncoplastic techniques allow to expand lumpectomy preventing radical surgery and Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC): surgical perspectives.
Vice-President of EURAMA, professor of general surgery of the University of Milan School of Medicine, professor of the European School of Oncology Stefano Zurrida spoke to the workshop participants about EURAMA: Past, Present and Future of the Treatment of Breast Cancer.
Head of TSMU Department of Oncology, Radiation Diagnostics, Therapy and Radiation Medicine, professor Ihor Halaichuk presented several cases of conservative operations in patients with breast cancer based at Ternopil Regional Oncology Center.
Director of the Oncology Department of Milan National Cancer Institute Andrea Spano spoke about his practical experience in presentations Reshaping of the breast after partial mastectomy in delicate localizations, Breast reconstruction with implants, is it always a preferred two stages approach?, and Total breast reconstruction after irradiations.
Vice-rector of the Tbilisi State Medical University, head of oncology department of Tbilisi State Medical University Clinic, professor Irakli Kokhreidze reported on Oncoplastic surgery, the “gold standard” after surgical treatment of breast cancer.
All presentations elicited active discussion.
On the next day, January 26, 2018, the international experts participated in two surgeries performed at Ternopil Regional Clinical Oncology Center. The surgeries were observed by practicing oncologists, intern doctors and senior medical students. After that, a discussion of the surgical techniques and a round-table on further cooperation took place.
More photographs can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/482338008555001/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1468510396604419