Cancer Through My Eyes – Episode 10: Elene Mariamidze

In this tenth episode of Cancer Through My Eyes, we travel to Tbilisi, Georgia, where we meet a physician-scientist whose career reflects bold leadership, international collaboration, and deep devotion to patient-centered oncology. Dr. Elene Mariamidze is a Clinical and Medical Oncologist at Todua Clinic, founder of the Georgian School of Oncology (GSO), and a fierce advocate for global equity in cancer care education and policy.

Her clinical and research interests span thoracic malignancies, breast cancer, and oncofertility, though she emphasizes her specialization in solid tumors more broadly. Through involvement with ESMO, ESO, and various international committees, Dr. Mariamidze has helped shape policies, practices, and perspectives in oncology—while staying grounded in the needs of her patients back home.

Dr. Elene Mariamidze’s Story

At the heart of Dr. Mariamidze’s career lies a determination to make cancer care more equitable, more informed, and more human. Whether advocating for fertility preservation in young women with cancer, championing geriatric assessments, or updating national protocols after an international fellowship, her work reflects a mindset of practical innovation and persistent care.

She founded the Georgian School of Oncology during the early days of the pandemic, recognizing the educational gaps facing young oncologists in Georgia. What began as a network for early-career specialists has grown into a cross-disciplinary community spanning oncology, pathology, molecular diagnostics, and nursing. Dr. Mariamidze also serves as President of the Georgian Society of Geriatric Oncology, expanding care quality for older adults with cancer.

Q&A:

1. You specialize in thoracic malignancies, breast cancer, and oncofertility. Can you share a personal moment or story that first ignited your passion for these particular areas of oncology?

I think I need to clarify a small thing before starting. These are my current scientific interests, though you would see from my publication and presentation history and also clinical practice that I specialize in solid tumors in general. So on different platforms, you might see me present GI, GU, Head and Neck, and other solid malignancies or act as an expert on a tumor board for any of the solid tumors.

The passion for the abovementioned directions started from the feeling that we can advance these fields more and it’s an urgent issue.

I think lung cancer in women, along with fertility struggles of young women stricken by cancer before they even thought about their family or reproductive plans, is a very serious problem worldwide, and resolution should come from the scientific field by means of clinical scientists. I was also heavily influenced by my initial mentors to whom I expressed my concerns with these topics, and they encouraged my curiosity, which led me to join several international study groups.

2. You’ve co-authored research in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences, yet you also founded the Georgian School of Oncology (GSO). What inspired you to focus on expanding educational opportunities for oncology specialists in Georgia?

When the pandemic started, it took most of the international oncology societies some time to adjust to the new norm of an online format of conferences and educational events – so for a while we had no educational sessions tailored to our community. I suddenly realized how lucky I am to have so many international mentors and that this is not a reality for all young oncologists in Georgia…

I was inspired by the European School of Oncology (ESO) and their focus on equal possibilities for oncologists worldwide and used the same principles and started a young oncologist association that would help its members to find new opportunities or even just help them learn more about cancer, and so we based GSO – Georgian School of Oncology.

This initiative quickly shifted from an association that had only young oncologists in focus to just oncologists and actually anyone involved in cancer care; we currently have molecular diagnostic specialists, pathologists, reproductive specialists, and nurses among our members.

I quickly realized that the Georgian oncological society needed a local educational association that would consistently try to bring the ideal international norms, guidelines, and recommendations to Georgia. So since 2021, we’ve done 6 international events by Georgian School of Oncology, have guided numerous specialists on their different paths in oncology, and are looking forward to continuing our strive for better cancer care for our patients.

3. Oncofertility is a vital yet sometimes overlooked aspect of cancer care. What drew you to champion fertility preservation for patients, and how do you see this field evolving in the next few years?

In recent years, unfortunately, we’ve seen the incidence of all cancers rise in young adults. Most of the people who are diagnosed in their early 20s or 30s have never even thought about family plans or if they ever want to have kids before the cancer diagnosis – 20 years ago it would hardly be even discussed during the consultation.

The recent advances in cancer care put patients in the same space of decision-making as their medical team. The new norm has shifted from only delivering the most effective curative methods to helping patients plan their lives despite the cancer diagnosis. I think even in developing countries, in the years to come, fertility preservation would become just one of the issues we routinely discuss with our patients.

4. You’re deeply involved in professional organizations like ESMO and have led multiple public policy initiatives. How do you balance policy advocacy with the demands of clinical practice and research?

I think the key to any modern demanding job is planning ahead but also being flexible. Sometimes you’ve planned everything ahead, but some last-minute cancellations, flight cancellations, might divert your initial plan.

It’s tough, I will not lie. Sometimes I have so many deadlines and piles of documentation that I need to sort that I don’t see my friends and beloved ones for months. But I’ve learned to say no from time to time even to very impressive initiatives if it’s more than I can handle at the time and refer the offer to my colleagues.

5. Your recent fellowship in Genova offered exposure to breast cancer care under Prof. Lambertini. How did that international experience shape your approach to patient care and research back home in Tbilisi?

After the ESMO Clinical Unit Visit Fellowship, we amended several local protocols and actually slightly modified the way we do MDT, not to mention all the exposure I got from being part of the amazing team at San Martino Hospital, Genova.

6. ‘Cancer Through My Eyes’ is about understanding the human side of oncology. Could you share a patient story or encounter that shifted your perspective and solidified your resolve in this field?

I think, even though my decision to be an oncologist was partly because of my previous work with cancer genetics and lab experience – the humane part—the patients and making patients’ lives and their experiences better—that’s what motivates me even more to work harder.

One of the stories that comes to my mind is a patient of a colleague of mine that was diagnosed 10 years ago. Her only concern was that she would not make it till the day her grandson (7 y/o at the time) graduates’ school – as of today, she’s still in good health and her grandson was just accepted to medical school.

Or the 39-year-old woman that was brought by her husband in a wheelchair because of severe pain from bone metastasis and inability to walk independently, and now, 2 years post her diagnosis, she’s swimming, running, and doing everything any person her age could do physically and has no pain.

7. You’re the President of the Georgian Society of Geriatric Oncology (GSGO). Why is geriatric assessment so important in modern oncology, and what do younger oncologists need to know about this emerging focus?

In a world where the population in total is aging faster than repopulating, it’s crucial to understand the principles of geriatric oncology and ways we can prevent major side effects or tailor treatments to patients’ actual condition, not just numerical age. We’ve been using geriatric screening very effectively and efficiently, as it usually takes 15–20 minutes to do the basic screening and see if your patient needs more extensive evaluation, and it has reduced the severe side effect numbers quite dramatically.

8. From founding GSO to contributing to international lung cancer guidelines, you’ve taken on leadership roles at a relatively early stage in your career. What lessons have you learned about building networks and influencing change?

In my professional life, I go by the rule of 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration. I truly believe that hard work is the base on which you should build your career. Building networks initially was not my goal, and that is a thing I would change if I started over again.

I think you might have all the right intentions and perfect work ethic, but certain things are impossible without a colleague, mentorship, or sponsorships; hence, you need people on your team. One needs someone who can guide you in difficult paths, encourage you on the paths that have not been laid out yet—sky is the limit if you’re motivated to bring the change, and you have a support system to back you up. I would advise all colleagues to attend as many conferences, masterclasses, national and international meetings as possible in order to meet new colleagues and maybe future collaborators.

9. Your portfolio spans clinical work, education, policy, and research. What personal strategies or mindsets keep you grounded and motivated while juggling these diverse responsibilities?

I’m terribly stubborn, anyone who knows me will tell you that—but not senselessly stubborn. Most of the positions I got, I got accepted after years of applying for them, so no overnight success story could be told about me. But it was not like I was applying with the same portfolio, same motivation letter—I think it’s crucial to estimate what can be perfected in your application and then re-apply.

Another issue is diplomacy, which I believe is very overlooked in the medical field but is quite crucial to make you enter into the international medical field. Sometimes, I think asking beforehand if your candidacy will ever be considered is also an option. I was chosen as an expert on a WHO document via open call for experts, to which I kindly enquired beforehand as I was still a resident at the time, and when I got an answer that the application would be considered along with other expert applications, I applied and actually got the position.

So, from my experience, sometimes aiming slightly higher than you initially intended might work—of course, if you’re backed up by your work that speaks for you. I was not chosen because I asked nicely; I was chosen because I had a 21-page CV that proved I had an expertise in the field.

You cannot expect everyone to like you or to give you all the positions and titles and projects just because you’re a good medical student or a promising young doctor, and most probably nothing will be handed to you on a golden plate—you need to accept from the beginning that any of your initiatives, new projects, new positions, or paper ideas have at default a 50% success and 50% fail rate.

10. Looking ahead, what message or advice would you share with the next generation of oncologists, particularly those in smaller or underserved regions about transforming cancer care and making a meaningful global impact?

In short, grit. One needs to be quenching for success in order to succeed, to continue working even after failing many, many times.

Another virtue that will always come in handy is being self-sufficient. For some, it might be becoming the helping hand they were looking for themselves. In the modern world, there are a lot of issues that can be resolved if we pay attention and dedicate time. For example, if you don’t have a specific oncology society in your country, find like-minded people from your country and create one.

But if that is too much for you, there are several oncological associations—ESMO, ESO, ASCO, ACRO—who offer virtual mentorships through which you might sharpen your focus on a specific disease or issue that is underrepresented in your region. The global oncological community is there to help.

From personal experience, I think being a slightly out-of-the-box thinker helps. For instance, because I’m a versatile speaker/presenter and I don’t have only one disease that I focus on, I can serve as an expert on a lung board in the morning and present a biliary cancer initiative in the evening—which makes me a valuable addition (or sometimes emergency substitution) to any international/national event. So whatever it is that sometimes the world tells you is slightly out of norm, use it to your advantage and make it your unique characteristic.

I think we also need to underline that this is not an ideal career path for everyone, so if presenting your work at conferences, being involved in different international projects is not the ideal path for you—it’s totally okay. We need good physicians too in oncology, and nobody should be forced to choose a direction in their career that is contrary to their aspirations.

We usually say at YOC that in your 20s you should say yes to all offers and initiatives and look where it takes you, and in your 30s start to be selective and say no to things that are not a priority for you.

As Cancer Through My Eyes continues, Dr. Mariamidze’s journey reminds us that true change begins with initiative, is sustained by collaboration, and is measured by impact.

Her story highlights the power of grit, vision, and relentless curiosity in reshaping cancer care—not just for institutions or countries, but for individuals facing the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

Got a question or someone we should feature next? Reach out on social media—we’d love to hear from you.

Stay tuned for more voices shaping the global face of oncology.

By Semiramida Nina Markosyan, HBSc.

Read and watch more dialogues and series by OncoDaily.

Episode 1 with Dr. Hadeel Hassan – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 2 with Ziad Abuhelwa – Cancer Through My Eyes 

Episode 3 with Jasmin Hundal – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 4 with Angelo Pirozzi – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 5 with Dr. Soirindhri Banerjee – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 6 with Alexis LeVee – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 7 with Renée Maria Saliby – Cancer Through My Eye

Episode 8 with Michael Serzan – Cancer Through My Eyes

Episode 9 with Charles J. Milrod – Cancer Through My Eyes