Reduce surgical intervention, individualize treatment.
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 also the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, with approximately 2.4 million new cases in 2024.
With the advancement of medicine, breast cancer treatment is changing towards reducing unnecessary interventions, selecting methods tailored to each patient's individual characteristics, and increasing diagnostic accuracy.
On October 3rd, 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".
Approximately 200 doctors, specialists, and representatives from professional associations attended the conference. The program featured Vietnamese experts along with 10 presenters from South Korea, focusing on the latest updates in surgery, systemic treatment, and diagnosis of breast cancer.
One of the highlights of the conference was the trend toward reducing surgical intervention while still ensuring disease control. Experts focused on discussing the selection of surgical scope based on individual patient characteristics and treatment response.
Overview of the conference.
Professor, Doctor Jeong Eon Lee and Associate Professor, Doctor Nguyen Dinh Tung co-chaired the first scientific session of the conference.
Associate Professor, Doctor 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, said that views on breast reconstruction are also changing.
"Previously, breast reconstruction surgery primarily aimed at restoring body shape, helping women feel more confident in their clothing choices and social interactions. Today, breast reconstruction focuses on all three criteria: shape, softness, and sensation. The reconstruction plan needs to be individualized according to the characteristics and needs of each patient, rather than applying a single technique to everyone," said Dr. Tung.
At the conference, Mr. Tung shared information about advancements in breast cancer surgical treatment in Vietnam, including immediate breast reconstruction, regenerative cell therapy combined with autologous fat grafting, and intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT).
From an international perspective, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soong June Bae, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sang Yull Kang, and other Korean experts analyzed evidence regarding reduced axillary lymph node intervention and narrowed surgical scope based on response to preoperative treatment. This trend aims to control the disease while limiting complications, reducing the treatment burden, and preserving quality of life.
In addition to surgery, systemic treatment is increasingly individualized based on the biological characteristics and risk factors of each patient group. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Joo Heung Kim provided an update on individualized endocrine therapy for early-stage luminal breast cancer, while Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sang Yull Kang and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soong June Bae shared their insights on adjuvant therapy and optimal immunotherapy strategies for metastatic breast cancer.
Breast cancer is changing the way we operate on and treat it.
AI assists in diagnosis and expands image analysis capabilities.
Besides changes in surgery and systemic treatment, the application of technology in diagnostic imaging was also a noteworthy topic at the conference.
Professor Eun Sook Ko, MD, PhD, member of the GBCC Professional Committee, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, provided an update on the application of AI in breast MRI imaging and analysis through her report "AI Applications in MRI: From Faster Imaging to Smarter Results."
The shared content focuses on the potential applications of AI to help shorten image acquisition time, improve image quality, and detect and classify lesions. This technology is also being researched in predicting preoperative treatment response and assisting in treatment planning.
AI is positioned as a tool to assist physicians in processing and analyzing images, not to replace professional judgment. Results from this technology should be combined with clinical information and other diagnostic methods before making treatment decisions.
In addition to AI, the diagnostic session also focused on axillary lymph node imaging, axillary lymph node pathology, atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). These topics provided further insights into lesion assessment and treatment options.
Associate Professor Dr. Do Anh Tu - Chief of the Office of the Vietnam Cancer Society, Deputy Director of K Hospital, delivered the opening remarks at the conference.
Speaking at the conference, Associate Professor Dr. Do Anh Tu, Chief of the Office of the Vietnam Cancer Society and Deputy Director of K Hospital, stated that breast cancer is now approached in a personalized manner, applying precision medicine and a multidisciplinary approach.
"Advances in diagnostic imaging, pathology, molecular biology, surgery, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy have fundamentally changed treatment strategies, offering patients the chance to live longer and have a better quality of life," Mr. Tu said.
The conference provided an opportunity for Vietnamese and Korean experts to exchange evidence and new practical experiences in the field of breast cancer. The shared content focused on a common approach: more tailored treatment to individual patient characteristics, while minimizing unnecessary interventions and aiming for long-term quality of life.
Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nhung-buoc-tien-moi-trong-dieu-tri-va-chan-doan-ung-thu-vu-238261003152710826.htm
