Opinion

Aug 16, 2025, 12:50

Highlights from the ESO–OncoDaily Educational Workshop in Breast and GI Oncology

The ESO–OncoDaily Educational Workshop in Breast and GI Oncology took place on Monday, 21 July 2025, at Yerevan State Medical University. Organized in partnership with the European School of Oncology (ESO) and OncoDaily, the full-day event brought together leading international and regional experts to discuss the latest advancements in the treatment of breast and gastrointestinal cancers.

ESO-OncoDaily Educational Workshop in Breast and GI Oncology

Designed to provide practical insights and foster collaboration among specialists from diverse areas of cancer care, the workshop covered a range of cutting-edge topics. In addition to comprehensive presentations, it featured interactive tumor board case discussions, where experts examined real-world challenges and shared multidisciplinary perspectives to enhance oncology practice.

Speaker Highlights and Key Takeaways

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	Dr. Nickolas Peradze Position: Breast Cancer Surgeon, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milan, Italy He presented on the latest advancements in oncoplastic breast surgery, focusing on techniques that combine oncological safety with aesthetic outcomes. He highlighted how these approaches improve surgical precision, preserve breast appearance, and enhance patient quality of life, drawing from his extensive experience and recent research in the field.
	Dr. Mikayel Arustamyan Position: Radiation Oncologist, Erebuni Medical Center, Yerevan, Armenia He discussed new radiotherapy techniques for breast and gastrointestinal cancers, focusing on advanced approaches such as image-guided radiotherapy and hypofractionated schedules. He highlighted how these methods improve treatment precision, reduce side effects, and enhance patient outcomes, sharing insights from both clinical practice and recent research.
	Dr. Davit Zohrabyan Position: Chief of the Adults Solid Tumors Chemotherapy Clinic, Hematology Center after Prof. Yeolyan, Yerevan, Armenia He discussed recent developments in chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers, focusing on optimized treatment regimens and combination therapies. He highlighted how these approaches improve treatment effectiveness, manage side effects, and enhance patient outcomes, sharing insights from both clinical practice and recent research.
	Dr. Alexandru Eniu Position: President, European School of Oncology (ESO); Consultant Medical Oncologist, Clinique de Genolier, Switzerland He delivered an insightful keynote at the ESO–OncoDaily Workshop, emphasizing the pivotal role of the European School of Oncology in advancing education and collaboration among oncologists. Drawing from his extensive experience in breast cancer care, he highlighted the importance of continuous professional development and the integration of multidisciplinary approaches in improving patient outcomes. His address underscored ESO's commitment to bridging knowledge gaps and fostering a global community of oncology professionals.
	Dr. Eric Van Cutsem Position: Professor of Digestive Oncology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg & KU Leuven, Belgium He discussed challenging gastrointestinal cancer cases, focusing on complex clinical scenarios and multidisciplinary management. He highlighted how these approaches improve treatment decisions, optimize patient outcomes, and enhance collaboration among oncology teams, sharing insights from both clinical practice and recent research.
	Dr. Parandzem Khachatryan Position: Head of the Department of Pathology, Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU); Head of the Pathology Clinic, Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery; Co-founder and Pathologist, Histogen, Armenia She explored the crucial role of pathology in gastrointestinal cancers, showing how detailed tissue analysis can directly shape personalized treatment plans. She highlighted how accurate histopathological evaluation not only guides therapy choices but also improves patient outcomes, sharing compelling insights from both her clinical experience and cutting-edge research.
	Dr. Amalya Sargsyan Position: Medical Oncologist at Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center; Research Fellow at the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC); Senior Editor at OncoDaily; Co-founder of D’Clinic, Yerevan, Armenia She discussed therapeutic strategies for advanced gastric cancer, focusing on emerging systemic therapies and their integration into clinical practice. She emphasized how these approaches aim to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, sharing insights from both clinical experience and recent research.
	Elen Baloyan Position: Oncology Fellow at Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center; Project Coordinator at the Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC); Managing Editor at OncoDaily, Armenia She delivered an inspiring presentation on OncoDaily, showcasing how the platform empowers oncologists through accessible education, real-world evidence, and community-driven insights. At the ESO–OncoDaily Workshop, she emphasized OncoDaily’s vital role in bringing global oncology developments to the Armenian oncology community, blending local relevance with international expertise.
	Dr. Hovhannes Vardevanyan Position: Medical Oncologist, Wigmore Clinic; Lecturer, Armenian American Medical College (AAMC), Armenia He discussed the latest systemic therapy strategies for gastrointestinal cancers, focusing on integrating targeted therapies and immunotherapies into clinical practice. He highlighted how personalized treatment plans based on molecular profiling can improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary toxicity, and open new avenues for patient care, drawing on both international guidelines and local experience.
	Dr. Lilit Harutyunyan Position: Head of the Oncology Clinic, Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) and Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery, Armenia; Project Associate, Immune Oncology Research Institute (IMMONC) She presented insightful findings on oncology care in Armenia, spotlighting innovative clinical research studies from recurrent ovarian cancer to treatment outcomes in pancreatic cancer, that reflect the nation's evolving cancer landscape. Drawing from her leadership at YSMU and Mikayelyan Institute, she highlighted how rigorous pathology and chemotherapy protocols are shaping personalized treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
	Dr. Mariam Kukhalashvili Position: Head of the Outpatient Department, Western Georgia Oncology Centre, Kutaisi, Georgia She shared her journey of building oncology capacity in western Georgia, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and international exchange programs in strengthening local cancer care. She highlighted how multidisciplinary training ranging from clinical oncology to molecular diagnostics has fueled improvements in treatment access, professional development, and patient outcomes, drawing from both her hands-on experience and collaborative research efforts
	Dr. Astghik Khalatyan Position: Endoscopist, GI Endoscopy Department, Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery, Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU), Armenia She explored the expanding role of endoscopic surgery in gastrointestinal oncology, highlighting minimally invasive techniques that revolutionize diagnosis and treatment. She emphasized how these procedures enhance surgical precision, reduce patient recovery time, and improve overall outcomes drawing on both her clinical expertise and recent advancements presented at the workshop
	Dr. Meri Talanyan Position: Head of MRI Service, Emerte Clinic; Radiologist (MRI), Astghik Medical Center — Yerevan, Armenia She presented on the critical role of MRI in staging and restaging rectal cancer, emphasizing advanced imaging strategies that enhance diagnostic precision. She showcased how high-resolution MRI improves clinical decision-making, monitors treatment response, and ultimately empowers more personalized and effective patient care, drawing on her direct clinical experience and the diagnostic standards upheld at both Emerte Clinic and Astghik Medical Center
	Dr. Armen Gevorgyan Position: Resident in Oncology, Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery, Yerevan, Armenia He actively participated in the “Challenging GI Cancer Cases” session at the ESO–OncoDaily Workshop, presenting perspectives from a resident’s point of view. He emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in managing complex gastrointestinal cancers and highlighted how young oncologists can contribute to innovative approaches in diagnosis and treatment. His reflections underscored the role of training, collaboration, and continuous learning in shaping the next generation of cancer specialists.
	Dr. Ani Abrahamyan Position: Radiologist (MRI), Emerte Clinic Diagnostic Center, Yerevan, Armenia She highlighted the critical role of MRI in oncology, focusing on advanced imaging methods such as diffusion weighted imaging and T1 out-of-phase sequences for the early detection of peritoneal carcinomatosis. By showing how these techniques improve diagnostic accuracy and guide timely treatment strategies, she underlined the growing impact of radiology in personalized cancer care, supported by both clinical expertise and recent evidence.
	Dr. Mariam Khavhatryan Position: Medical Oncology Resident, Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, OncoDaily She presented a compelling case report on a challenging pancreatic cancer patient, offering keen clinical insights into diagnosis and management in the Armenian context. By drawing from both evidence-based guidelines and her own experience, she illustrated how thoughtful treatment decision making can influence outcomes, even in complex cases. Her presentation highlighted the critical role of residents in linking academic training with patient-centered oncology practice and underscored the need for continued research to improve survival in difficult-to-treat cancers.
	Dr. Sona Karamyan Position: Medical Oncology Resident, Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, Ministry of Health of Armenia; Research Analyst, OncoDaily She presented a detailed case report on a challenging breast cancer patient during the ESO–OncoDaily Workshop. She highlighted the complexities of diagnosis and treatment decision-making, emphasizing the importance of personalized care. Her case illustrated how residents contribute to advancing oncology practice through careful clinical observation and evidence-based recommendations.