Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Sonya Sergieva
Sofia Cancer Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
Keynote: Role of SPECT-CT imaging techniques in oncology
Time : 9:40-10:10
Biography:
Radiopharmaceuticals used in standard nuclear medicine for patients with breast cancer are a well-known source of ionizing radiation, emitting gamma-photon particles: Tumorotroponin cationic complexes such as 99mTc-Sestamibi/Tetrofosmin (MIBI/TF); radiolabelled somatostatin analogues 111In-Ocrteoscan/99mTc-Tektrotyd; 99mTc-MDP; 99mTc-Nanocoll, etc. The intensive tracer uptake of the different radiopharmaceuticals depends on the blood perfusion and their biodistribution, the proliferative activity of the tumor cells, the oxygen consumption, receptor status, and other factors of different tumors. Among the various visual methods used to assess malignant diseases new hybrid SPECT-CT imaging can provide accurate diagnostic information of the presence and extend of neoplastic diseases as well as unique data about tumor biological characteristics such as rate of cell proliferation or somatostatin-receptor overexpression intensity. The nuclear medical part of the hybrid SPECT-CT images gives information for the functional activity of the primary neoplastic process of the breast and the secondary metastatic lesions, while the CT image is needed for determining the anatomical subtract of the visualized from the scintigraphy "Hot" lesions. This reflects on the reduced number of false-positive and false-negative results and therefore increasing the sensitivity and specificity of the scintigraphic studies. The SPECT-CT exams find a different clinical value in oncology. Combined SPECT-CT images enables to discover occult primary tumors, to visualize loco-regional or distant metastatic spots for correct N/M staging, to evaluate effect of complex therapy. SPECT-CT images are applicable in radiotherapy planning to target precise functional gross tumor volume delineation. In conclusion, the introduction of multimodal SPECT-CT methods in nuclear oncology increased the diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the nuclear medical diagnostic approaches, which is of an important clinical value in determining and planning individual therapeutic management in patients with malignant diseases.
Abstract:
Sonya Sergieva has completed her PhD from National Oncological Center, Sofia and Post-doctoral studies from Sofia Cancer Center, Sofia. She is Head of Department of Nuclear Medicine in Sofia Cancer Center and Consultant in the Military Medical Academy, Sofia. She has published more than 100 papers in Bulgarian and English languages in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.
Keynote Forum
Mohammed Y Almaghrabi
Prince Faisal Cancer Center, Saudi Arabia
Keynote: Micro RNA (miRNA): Utility in oncology
Time : 10:10-10:40
Biography:
Mohammed Y Almaghrabi is currently working as the Head of Radiation Oncology at Prince Faisal Cancer Centre, Saudi Arabia. He holds his research experience from University of Ottawa Canada. He has been a recipient of many award and grants. His research experience includes various programs, contributions and participation at different countries for diverse fields of study. His research interests reflect in his wide range of publications in various national and international journals. His research field of interest includes Oncology, Radialogy, Hepatology, Clinical Oncology, etc.
Abstract:
Over the last decade, there has been a growing interest in mircoRNA (miRNA) and their utility in the field of Oncology. MicroRNA molecules are now being utilized as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for stratification of patient as well as therapeutic agents. MiRNA is a non-coding RNA which regulates the expression of various oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Alterations in the microRNA target binding sites and the microRNA itself, in tumors, have been implicated for their diagnostic utility in malignancies. Some of the tumor suppressors such as the p53 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), are down regulated in most of the neoplasms. These are potential targets for miRNA. Recent research has also shown that miRNA would also be useful in identification and stratification of chemotherapy agents. MicroRNA might help distinguish patients with stable oligometastatic disease from patients with progression to polymetastatic disease.
Keynote Forum
Ozge Akbulut
Sabanci University, Turkey
Keynote: The design and properties of synthetic tissue/organ models
Time : 10:40-11:10
Biography:
Ozge Akbulut is an Assistant Professor at Sabanci University since February 2012. She received her BS in Materials Science and Engineering at Sabanci University in 2004 and her PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, 2009) focused on cost-effective fabrication of biomolecular devices and surface science. She continued her studies as a Post-doctoral fellow in the Whitesides Group at Harvard University (2009–2011) on developing tools/techniques for resource-limited settings. Her main research interests include rheology modifiers and silicone-based composites. She also founded a company, Surgitate, on tactile surgical training platforms, in 2014.
Abstract:
Surgical stuff-in-training necessitate practice to improve their skill sets and the shift towards simulation-based trainings enables trainees to learn at their own pace and experience custom-based cases rather than responding to the immediate needs of the patients. Oncoplasty for breast cancer encompasses tumor removal and subsequent breast reconstruction; and there are several oncoplastic techniques to master for proper treatment of the patients. For training purposes, closest media to reality, fresh cadavers, are hard to obtain due to their price and/or unavailability. There is a need for a sustainable, reliable, and affordable platform to diffuse simulation-based trainings to medical curricula and provide trainings even in resource-limited settings. Silicone-based composite models can be designed and manufactured to fulfill the necessities of breast surgery such as precise incision, epidermal undermining, suturing, and resisting suture tension after excision of a considerable mass. We have shown the performance of such a stand-alone breast model for two oncoplastic techniques, “Batwing Mammoplasty” and “Modified Inferior Flap Rezai”. This model can be used in settings where it is difficult and/or expensive to find fresh cadavers. This cost-effective and practical solution also eliminates the need for chemical/cold storage and risk of infections/molding, thus making it a preferable tool for teaching hospitals and also for individual practice. In addition, the model is suitable to be used in self-diagnosis trainings, as well as a communication platform between medical stuff and patients.
Keynote Forum
Aleksandar Stefanović Clinical Center of Serbia, Serbia
Clinical Center of Serbia, Serbia
Keynote: Fertility sparing surgery in early stages of cervical cancer
Time : 11:25-11:55
Biography:
Aleksandar Stefanović has completed his Medical School at University of Belgrade in 1977, MD in 1995, PhD in 1996 and Academic Special Studies in Gynecology and Obstetrics in 1994. He has 25 years of clinical experiences, working at Clinic for Gynecology & Obstetrics Clinical Centre of Serbia, as Gynecologist for 18 years. His present position at the clinic is Chairman of Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia. He is President of Expert Committee for Cervical Carcinoma Prevention and Control, member of Advisory Board for the implementation of screening and early detection of breast, cervical and colorectal carcinoma program, author of national good practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of cervical carcinoma, and member of multidisciplinary team for Gynecologic Oncology, Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia. He has about 50 publications in CC/SCI expanded and JCR indexed journals, and active participant of more than 50 international congresses, with total number of publication about 200.
Abstract:
The concept of fertility-preserving surgery in early cervical (stage IA 2 or IB 10) is radical trachelectomy. Trachelectomy is a conservative oncologic operation with aim to preserve fertility in early stages of cervical cancer female patients. Excised structures in trachelectomy are: Cervix, upper 1/3 of vagina, parametria and paracolpia, with preservation of uterine corpus. After removing the vaginal fornix and cervix, uterovaginal anastomosis with non-resorptive suture is performed. Indications for trachelectomy are, patients up to 45 years of age who wish to conserve fertility with negative lymph nodes, no distant metastatic disease, FIGO stage cervical cancer staged IA1, IA2, IB1 (tumor size ≤ 2 cm with negative lymph nodes), with adequate cervical length, no evidence of expansion of malignant process on the upper part of the cervical canal, squamocellular carcinoma, rarely cervical adenocarcinoma, negative lymph nodes intraoperatively, no metastatic disease, and clear resected margins. There is an ongoing debate regarding the need for uterine vessels preservation. Some authors have proved that the preservation of the uterine artery is associated with more favorable restoration of the reproductive function. Others claimed that preservation of the uterine vasculature is not necessary for fertility as obstetrical outcomes are similar to those of the historical vaginal radical trachelectomy cohorts.