At Global Voices in Renal Oncology (VIRO) 2025, organized by OncoDaily, Dr. Mariam Sargsyan, Medical Oncologist at Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery, delivered a talk on “The Current State of Renal Oncology in Armenia”.
She emphasized that kidney cancer care in Armenia is challenged by late diagnoses, limited access to imaging, and restricted availability of modern therapies. While ultrasound is widely used as a first step, CT remains the gold standard for diagnosis and staging, with MRI and PET/CT reserved for select cases due to cost and availability. Biopsy is rarely performed, and the absence of a national screening program contributes to the fact that most patients present at Stage III–IV.
She highlighted that surgery is the cornerstone of treatment, with radiotherapy used only in selected situations. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy are available in theory, but lack of state reimbursement and limited drug registration mean patients often rely on generics from alternative markets. This creates significant disparities compared to high-income countries, where patients benefit from early detection and access to the full spectrum of guideline-recommended therapies.
She also noted that Armenia’s relatively small population poses challenges in building large-scale clinical infrastructure, yet it also creates opportunities for international collaboration and research partnerships. Expanding awareness among both physicians and the public could help shift diagnoses toward earlier stages, improving survival outcomes.
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