TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PATIENT ARE ONE OF THE KEY COMPONENTS OF SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT.

The XI All‑Russian Congress of Oncological Patients took place at the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation. The event brought together representatives of the patient community, medical professionals, government bodies, and public organizations from across the country. Specialists from the National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation actively participated in the congress.

A special session entitled «Together on the Path to Recovery: Skin»,- organized by Kristina Orlova, MD, Head of the Skin Tumors Department at the N. Lopatkin Scientific Research Institute of Urology and Interventional Radiology and Valeria Nazarova, PhD, Senior Researcher at the department, focused on modern approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of malignant skin tumors, including melanoma.

The experts explained why tumors of the same type may require different treatment approaches, introducing the participants to the basics of molecular biology and personalized oncology. They also discussed in which cases the appearance of “red dots” on the skin should raise concern.

Another key topic was the prospects for using antitumor vaccines in melanoma treatment. Daria Bagdasarova, Head of the Department of Personalized Biotechnological Treatment Methods at the P. A. Herzen Moscow Research Oncology Institute, presented the latest developments in this field.

The section «Quality Pain Management in Oncology» featured Guzal Abuzarova, MD, Head of the Center for Palliative Care for Cancer Patients; Artem Gevorkov, MD, Leading Researcher at the Department of Radiation Therapy with Modification; Regina Sarmanaeva, PhD, specialists from the Center for Palliative Care; Olesya Germanova, neurologist; and Olga Kirsanova, PhD, Senior Researcher at the Department of Surgical Treatment of the CNS and Musculoskeletal System.

The specialists answered patients’ questions about pain‑relief therapy at different stages of treatment, the combination of analgesics, the use of vitamins and dietary supplements for painful forms of neuropathy, and interventional pain management methods. Particular attention was paid to the importance of an open dialogue between doctor and patient, as well as to discussing the fears and doubts that arise during treatment.