International Specialists Gather in Armenia to Discuss Advances in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Once again, Erebuni Medical Center, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Armenia, "Davidyants Laboratories," and the Friends Home organization, has organized its annual international oncology conference. This year’s event, titled the “Armenian Breast Conference”, has attracted renowned specialists from around the world, including oncologists, chemotherapists, surgeons, and radiotherapists from Russia, Iran, Georgia, Spain, and the USA. Together with their Armenian counterparts, they are addressing critical issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
During the conference, a number of Armenian and international doctors were recognized by the Ministry of Health for their significant contributions to breast cancer treatment both in Armenia and globally.
Following the theoretical discussions, the conference moved into its practical phase. Esteemed international experts, including Jaume Masia, Director of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Sant Pau and Del Mar Hospitals in Barcelona, and Gemma Pons, Director of the Microsurgery Department, alongside Edward Chang, professor at the Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas, performed highly specialized reconstructive breast surgeries at Erebuni Medical Center. Using an innovative technique, these surgeries did not rely on implants, but instead reconstructed the breast using the patient’s own fat tissue.
As a result of this collaboration, Erebuni Medical Center's specialists will soon begin performing these advanced surgeries independently. The Department of Mammology and Breast Surgery at Erebuni is already well-equipped to handle all types of breast surgeries, with the primary objective always being the treatment of breast cancer while preserving the breast.
Timely and accurate diagnosis remains a persistent challenge in combating cancer, often called the “scourge of the century.” However, with cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and the integration of artificial intelligence, Erebuni Medical Center’s radiology department diagnoses thousands of cancer cases each year. As one of Armenia’s leading multidisciplinary medical institutions, Erebuni offers the latest diagnostic systems capable of detecting cancer at any stage.
Under the guidance of Haykuhi Geokchyan, Oncology Consultant to the Minister of Health and Deputy Director of Oncology at Erebuni Medical Center, a Tumor Board regularly convenes, where expert teams develop individualized treatment plans for each patient.
Treatment protocols for cancer typically include drug therapy, surgery, or a combination of both. Radiotherapy also plays a critical role in cancer treatment. With the establishment of a state-of-the-art radiotherapy center at Erebuni, the center now offers a comprehensive approach to cancer care. Approximately 50% of cancer patients require radiation therapy, and the Erebuni Radiotherapy Center treats breast cancer using Halcyon linear accelerators manufactured by Varian, a leading American company. This technology enables Volume Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), which deliver precise radiation beams that target cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
An additional feature of the radiotherapy center is the SIEMENS BIOGRAPH MCT, an advanced PET/CT scanner that employs artificial intelligence to precisely detect the spread of tumor cells, ensuring the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
International collaboration continues to be a key component of Erebuni’s radiotherapy services. Dr. Sergey Golub, a radiation therapist from Moscow, now leads the center’s radiotherapy department, bringing his expertise to the forefront of cancer care in Armenia.
In conclusion, patients diagnosed with breast or other cancers can now access modern, specialized, and comprehensive treatment at Erebuni Medical Center without needing to travel abroad.
