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Association of Interventional Oncologists of Ukraine

Interventional oncology is one of the most modern and high-tech fields in clinical oncology.

About the Association

Interventional oncology is a young field that emerged and has been developing since the 1960s (for comparison, the first surgical interventions were performed in the 6th-7th centuries BCE).

In Ukraine, interventional radiology and oncology methods began to be applied in the early 2000s. Why so late? Because these techniques require expensive equipment and the technicians to operate it. The consumables are also more costly than surgical instruments and are not manufactured in Ukraine. Additionally, an interventional radiologist must master several specialties – surgery, oncology, as well as ultrasound, X-ray, and CT diagnostics.

Unfortunately, after their introduction, interventional radiology and oncology methods did not gain recognition or widespread use in Ukraine for a long time due to the same lack of equipment, consumables, and trained specialists. Ukrainian medical educational institutions do not offer training in interventional radiology – doctors have to acquire these skills through internships abroad.

Such internships are expensive, difficult to organize, and require a high level of foreign language proficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic closed borders and made it impossible to travel to European and Asian countries for training. Additionally, the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, shifted the focus of our lives and made it impossible for many citizens of our country to travel abroad.

 

іn 2020, the Association of Interventional Oncologists of Ukraine was established at the Center of Interventional Oncology in Kharkiv.

The goal of the Association is to unite interventional oncologists and radiologists for joint training, experience sharing, and easier access to global data in interventional radiology. Through the work of the Association, collaboration between specialists from different cities is established, and lectures, schools, and master classes in interventional radiology and oncology are held within Ukraine. Necessary equipment is purchased, and contacts of technicians and applicators for equipment maintenance are exchanged. Additionally, the supply of consumables from abroad is arranged.

It is important to conduct educational activities among colleagues – doctors of related specialties. Advanced treatment methods, which are written about in global medical journals, are available in Ukraine. Patients no longer need to seek treatment abroad – in Ukraine, it is possible to provide modern, safe, and minimally invasive treatment within their own country.