On October 23–24, an international multidisciplinary consensus conference entitled “Modern Management of Prostate Cancer – Global Consensus” was held in Tbilisi,
organized by the Georgian Association of Oncological Urology. The conference brought together leading professors, urologists, oncologists, radiologists, and healthcare representatives from Germany, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Georgia.
The main objective of the two-day scientific event was to share the latest international experience in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, discuss evidence-based approaches, and promote the development of modern clinical practice in Georgia.
The conference was co-chaired by Professor Guram Karazanashvili, President of the Georgian Association of Oncological Urology and founder of the Karazanashvili Robotic Center, and Professor Markus Graefen, Head of the Prostate Cancer Center at the world-renowned German Martini-Klinik.
Participants in the international scientific meeting included Swedish Professor Göran Ahlgren, Azerbaijani Professor Samir Javad-zade, Ukrainian specialists Professor Eduard Stakhovsky and Serhii Pryndiuk, as well as representatives of leading medical institutions across Georgia.
Representatives of the Healthcare and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia and the Ministry of Health also attended the event.
From Early Prostate Cancer Diagnosis to the Latest Treatment Technologies
The scientific program of the conference comprised four main sessions and covered the full spectrum of prostate cancer management – from early detection and screening to
the treatment of complex and advanced forms of the disease.
The main topics of the first day were early prostate cancer diagnosis, modern screening methods, active surveillance, and organ-preserving treatment options.
Particular attention was devoted to 29 MHz micro-ultrasound, a high-resolution technology that represents one of the modern methods for early prostate cancer detection and targeted biopsy of suspicious lesions.
Professor Guram Karazanashvili presented his practical experience in using this technology to his international colleagues and discussed its capabilities in prostate cancer diagnosis and disease stage assessment.
Focal therapy was also an important topic of discussion, including the Focal One® robotic HIFU system, which enables targeted treatment of the tumor lesion in selected patients while preserving healthy tissue to the greatest extent possible.
International experts also discussed treatment approaches aimed not only at controlling the oncological disease but also at preserving the patient’s quality of life, urinary continence, and sexual function to the greatest extent possible.
Georgian Robotic Surgery Experience in the International Spotlight
The second day of the conference was dedicated to radical treatment, robotic surgery, radiation therapy, and modern approaches to managing locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer.
One of the key areas of focus was the development of robotic surgery in Georgia and the Caucasus region.
Professor Guram Karazanashvili presented participants with Georgia’s experience in introducing and developing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. He also discussed modern approaches to the surgical treatment of complex, high-risk prostate cancer.
German Professor Markus Graefen shared Martini-Klinik’s experience with his colleagues, including standards for robotic prostatectomy, nerve-sparing surgical techniques, and functional recovery after surgery.
Significant attention was also devoted to multidisciplinary treatment – how to select the optimal combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy for each patient, taking into account the stage of the disease, risk level, and individual characteristics.
As part of the conference, Georgian and international specialists discussed clinical cases and engaged in professional discussions on the practical application of modern diagnostic and treatment standards.
International Experience for the Development of Georgian Medicine
One of the conference’s main values was bringing together experts from different medical specialties with international experience in one place.
In modern oncourology, effective prostate cancer management is no longer based solely on the decision of a single specialist. Timely detection of the disease, the development of an individualized treatment strategy, and the preservation of the patient’s quality of life require close cooperation among urologists, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other specialists.
The importance of this multidisciplinary approach was clearly demonstrated throughout the two-day scientific meeting.
Such international events help promote modern medical knowledge in Georgia, strengthen professional cooperation, and facilitate the implementation of international standards in Georgian clinical practice.
The conference held in Tbilisi on October 23–24 once again demonstrated Georgia’s potential to serve as an important platform for international professional dialogue and the exchange of experience in modern oncourology.
The conference concluded with professional discussions and consideration of opportunities for future cooperation, creating an important foundation for the further development of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.
