Madrid, 3 October 2024. - Gynecological cancers continue to present a challenge for health professionals as, although their incidence is not particularly high (2,259 new cases of cervical cancer, 3,715 of ovarian cancer and 7,305 for the uterus1), a full understanding of the latest clinical approaches is vital - together with early treatment of these conditions. To present and analyze the latest medical advances and research into this type of tumor, MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid – Hospiten is organizing the ninth edition of the conference entitled “MD Anderson Cancer Center International Meeting in Gynecologic Oncology: Steady Evidence in Turbulent Times” on 24 and 25 October.
The congress, organized in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, is billed as a multidisciplinary meeting point for renowned medical oncologists, gynecological oncologists, pathologists, molecular biologists, radiologists and nuclear physicians from all over the world, with a special emphasis on building bridges and promoting consensus between US and European oncology.
“Through the title ‘Steady Evidence in Turbulent Times’, we want to convey the idea that science must be robust and steadfast, despite the fact that it evolves in scattered environments dotted around the world.” These were the words of Dr. Raúl Márquez, Head of the Gynecological Tumors Section at MD Anderson Madrid – Hospiten – Hospiten and co-organizer of the congress, together with Dr. Javier de Santiago, head of the Gynecological Oncology Service together with their MD Anderson Houston colleagues, Drs. Shannon Westin, Larissa Meyer, and Anuja Jhingran.
Latest advances in endometrial, cervical and ovarian cancer
As in previous editions, one of the topics for discussion in this forum will be endometrial cancer. On this occasion, experts will delve into risk stratification based on molecular classification, as well as the less invasive surgical techniques. “It should be noted that four first-line studies confirm the benefit of immunotherapy, especially in those tumors with MMRd (tumors with deficiencies in DNA repair proteins),” says Dr. De Santiago.
The role of radiotherapy is crucial in locally advanced stages of cervical cancer, and the new standard treatment with the addition of Pembrolizumab will be addressed, as well as future surgical techniques and new systemic treatment options. As Dr. Márquez reminds us: “we shouldn’t forget that cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus and that there is already a vaccine for it - so it is a preventable disease.” He then added that: “the epidemiology and repercussion the human papillomavirus vaccination has had for this type of tumor will be another of the topics to be discussed during the congress”.
One of the sessions will analyze the determining role of PARP inhibitors in the first line of treatment for ovarian cancer, presenting updated long-term data from studies into these tumors. “In addition we will look at some of the future strategies we aim to apply to ovarian cancer, as well as local manoeuvers during surgery, such as the still controversial use of HIPEC,” clarified the specialist.
Artificial intelligence and Big Data applied to Oncology
“We will dedicate a space to the review of rare tumors and histologies, such as uterine sarcomas, low-grade serous carcinoma and trophoblastic disease,” announced Dr. Márquez, adding that artificial intelligence and Big Data applied to Oncology will also occupy an important space during the event.
A variety of technical procedures, such as the use of the Da Vinci robot, the analysis of HRD (homologous recombination deficiency) together with the issue of mutations in the BRCA gene, super-specialization and radiotherapy techniques will be among other topics addressed.
In addition, there will be a review of all the latest pathology developments as presented at the international congresses held by the SGO (Society of Gynecologic Oncology), ESGO (European Society of Gynecological Oncology), ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology), ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) and IGCS (International Gynecologic Cancer Society).
You can watch the show here.
References:
1. Cancer figures in Spain 2023. SEOM
[Pies de foto]:
Picture 1: Dr. Raúl Márquez, Head of the Gynecological Tumors Section at MD Anderson Madrid – Hospiten – Hospiten; Dr. Shannon Westin, MD Anderson Houston; and Dr. Javier de Santiago, Head of the Gynecological Oncology Service at MD Anderson Madrid – Hospiten – Hospiten.
Picture 2: Dr. Shannon Westin, Dr. Raúl Márquez and Dr. Javier de Santiago.