According to GLOBOCAN 2024, Vietnam recorded 25,711 new cases of breast cancer, the highest number among all types of cancer. Globally, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with approximately 2.4 million new cases in 2024.
However, the current story of breast cancer is not just about early detection. With advancements in medicine, treatment approaches are shifting towards reducing unnecessary interventions, selecting methods tailored to individual patient characteristics, and improving diagnostic accuracy. These changes require physicians to continuously update their clinical practice with the latest advancements.
Against this backdrop, on October 3, 2026, Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital, in collaboration with the Organizing Committee of the Global Breast Cancer Conference (GBCC) and the Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS), organized the conference "New Trends in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Highlights from GBCC 2026". With the participation of Vietnamese experts and 10 Korean presenters, the conference provided a forum for experts from both countries to exchange ideas on the potential application of new evidence to clinical practice in Vietnam.
GBCC is known as one of Asia's leading and most influential breast cancer conferences, bringing together doctors, researchers, patient support organizations, and major cancer centers worldwide . After nearly two decades of development, GBCC has built a cross-border academic network with the support of prestigious hospitals, universities, and professional associations in South Korea. Meanwhile, KBCS is a specialized breast cancer organization in South Korea, promoting research, training, and academic exchange. Therefore, the collaboration between Hong Ngoc, GBCC, and KBCS not only brings new professional updates but also expands opportunities for networking and experience exchange between Vietnamese and international experts in the field of breast cancer.
Overview of the International Conference on New Trends in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Approximately 200 doctors, experts, and representatives from professional associations attended the conference "New Trends in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Highlights from GBCC 2026".
Notable speakers included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Anh Tu - Chief of the Office of the Vietnam Cancer Society, Deputy Director of K Hospital; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Xuyen - President of the Cancer Patient Support Fund - Bright Tomorrow; Prof. Dr. Jeong Eon Lee - President of GBCC, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KBCS, Director of the Breast Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong - Head of the Oncology Department, Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tung - Head of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Maxillofacial Surgery, Head of the Breast Surgery Unit, Breast and Gynecological Center, Hong Ngoc General Hospital; Dr. Le Hong Cuc - President of the Vietnam Breast Imaging Diagnostic Association, along with expert speakers from major medical facilities and universities in South Korea.
In his opening remarks at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Do Anh Tu - Chief of the Office of the Vietnam Cancer Society, Deputy Director of K Hospital, stated: “Breast cancer today is being approached in a personalized manner, applying precision medicine and multi-modal approaches. Advances in diagnostic imaging, pathology, molecular biology, surgery, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have fundamentally changed treatment strategies, offering patients a longer chance of survival and a better quality of life. Today's conference is an opportunity for us to update our knowledge, and gradually apply it to the practice of diagnosing and treating breast cancer in Vietnam.”
The conference consisted of four scientific sessions, focusing on minimally invasive surgery, systemic therapy, surgery for early-stage breast cancer, and breast cancer diagnosis.
Notably, experts will focus on issues that are changing the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, such as reducing axillary lymph node intervention, narrowing the scope of surgery based on preoperative response; individualizing endocrine therapy; optimizing immunotherapy in metastatic breast cancer; and applying artificial intelligence (AI) in breast MRI.
Also at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tung will share a highly anticipated report on "Advances in Breast Cancer Surgery in Vietnam" and co-chair two scientific sessions on surgery. A notable aspect of the report is the implementation of three advanced techniques in Vietnam: immediate breast reconstruction, regenerative tissue therapy combined with autologous fat grafting, and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). As one of the pioneering doctors in introducing these techniques into practice, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Tung will share the implementation process, changes in surgical practice, and the role of these techniques in breast cancer treatment.
New trends shaping breast cancer diagnosis and treatment were shared at the conference.
Throughout the four scientific sessions, three prominent trends will be analyzed by experts: optimizing surgical interventions, individualizing treatment, and applying AI in diagnosis.
Breast cancer surgery: A trend toward less invasive procedures and more conservative approaches.
Minimizing intervention while maintaining good disease control was one of the key issues discussed at the conference. Instead of applying a uniform range of surgical procedures, experts will discuss choosing the level of intervention based on individual patient characteristics and response.
Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Dinh Tung stated: “Previously, breast reconstruction surgery primarily aimed at restoring body shape, helping women feel more confident in their clothing and social interactions. Today, breast reconstruction focuses on all three criteria: shape, softness, and sensation. Therefore, the reconstruction plan needs to be individualized according to the characteristics and needs of each patient, instead of applying a single technique to all.”
From an international perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soong June Bae, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sang Yull Kang, and other Korean experts will analyze evidence from successful surgical cases in axillary lymph node reduction, narrowing the surgical scope based on the response after preoperative treatment.
These findings indicate that breast cancer surgery is facing a significant shift: not more intervention, but precisely determining the level of intervention needed for each patient. The goal is not only to control the disease but also to limit complications, reduce the burden of treatment, and preserve long-term quality of life.
Breast cancer treatment is becoming increasingly individualized for each patient group.
In addition to surgery, systemic treatments for breast cancer were a key topic of discussion at the conference, focusing on selecting treatment strategies based on the biological characteristics, risk, and progression of each patient group.
The presentations covered topics in endocrine therapy, adjuvant therapy, and immunotherapy. Specifically, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joo Heung Kim – Head of the GBCC Exhibition Committee, Head of KBCS Communications, Breast Surgery Unit, Yongin Severance Hospital – provided an update on individualized endocrine therapy for early-stage luminal breast cancer. Following this, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sang Yull Kang shared new adjuvant therapies and strategies to overcome endocrine resistance in high-risk groups; while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soong June Bae analyzed optimal immunotherapy strategies for metastatic breast cancer.
The findings indicate a shift in treatment trends from a general strategy to choices tailored to the patient's biological characteristics, risk, and disease progression. Individualization, therefore, is not just about choosing medication, but also about identifying the right treatment for the right patient, at the right time, and at the right level.
AI opens up new possibilities in breast cancer diagnosis.
Along with changes in treatment, technology is also creating new advances in breast cancer imaging diagnosis. At the conference, Professor Eun Sook Ko, MD, PhD, GBCC Specialist Committee, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, will update on AI applications in breast MRI imaging and analysis through a presentation titled "AI Applications in MRI: From Faster Imaging to Smarter Results."
The content focuses on the potential applications of AI to shorten acquisition time and improve image quality, assist in the detection and classification of lesions, predict preoperative response, and support treatment planning. AI does not replace the role of doctors, but it can become a supportive tool in image processing and analysis. When combined with clinical assessment and other diagnostic methods, this technology helps improve accuracy and support doctors in making more appropriate decisions.
In addition to AI, the diagnostic session also covered axillary lymph node imaging, axillary lymph node pathology, atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) approach, and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). These topics added important perspectives in assessing lesions and selecting appropriate treatment approaches.
From surgery and personalized treatment to diagnostic imaging, the conference's content all points toward a major shift in breast cancer treatment: treatment should not only aim to control the disease but also be more tailored to each patient's individual characteristics, minimizing unnecessary interventions and focusing on long-term quality of life.
Concluding the scientific sessions, the significance of the program lies not only in introducing new advances but also in its ability to translate these updates into practical value. Through collaboration with GBCC and KBCS, Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital created an in-depth forum for Vietnamese and Korean experts to directly exchange information on developing trends in breast cancer treatment, thereby updating expertise in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment practices in Vietnam.
About Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital
Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital is a general hospital in Hanoi, developing with a focus on high-quality healthcare, prioritizing investment in professional staff, modern equipment, and strengthening cooperation with domestic and international medical organizations.
In the field of breast cancer, the hospital implements diagnosis and treatment through coordination between the Oncology Department, the Gynecology - Breast Unit, Diagnostic Imaging, Pathology, and other related specialties. Cases requiring multidisciplinary collaboration are referred to multidisciplinary consultations (MDT), thereby comprehensively assessing and developing treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific condition.
In addition to medical examination and treatment, Hong Ngoc - Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital focuses on international cooperation, training, and professional exchange, creating conditions for its medical staff to access new advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and gradually applying them appropriately to clinical practice in Vietnam.
About the Global Breast Cancer Conference – GBCC
The Global Breast Cancer Conference (GBCC) is an international conference specializing in breast cancer, bringing together experts, researchers, and doctors from many countries to discuss new issues in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of breast cancer.
Through scientific sessions and academic exchanges, GBCC serves as a forum for updating research, evidence, and trends, while fostering professional connections and collaboration among the global breast cancer medical community.
About the Korean Breast Cancer Society – KBCS
The Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS) is a professional organization that brings together experts working in the field of breast cancer in Korea. KBCS focuses on promoting research, training, academic exchange, and professional development to improve the quality of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
KBCS also plays a leading role in organizing GBCC, contributing to connecting experts and researchers inside and outside Korea, creating a forum for sharing advances and practical experiences in the field of breast cancer.
Source: https://congluan.vn/hoi-nghi-quoc-te-nhung-xu-huong-moi-trong-chan-doan-va-dieu-tri-ung-thu-vu-diem-nhan-tu-gbcc-2026-post362746.html
