Sergei Sobyanin: The new cancer care standard includes modern medicines, technologies and patient-centered approach

On the eve of World Cancer Day, Sergei Sobyanin summed up the results of the implementation of the new Moscow cancer care standard which started in 2019. It was based on a comprehensive approach to treatment combined with patient-centered approach, modern technologies and medicines, the Moscow Mayor posted on his blog.

“The results can be judged by key indicators. Cancer early diagnosis has increased to 65%. Stage 0 cancer diagnosis has risen by a factor of 3.5. The hospital admissions have tripled to 380,000 in 2022. The proportion of patients registered for more than 5 years after being diagnosed has increased from 49% to 58.7%. The most deplorable and important indicator: the death rate during the first year after being diagnosed fell by half, down to 13.1%,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

Multi-purpose oncology centers were established at the premises of the largest Moscow hospitals. They have the whole range of clinical options: diagnostics, surgeries, drug therapy, follow-up medical care, and so on. All stages of specialized assistance are provided at one institution. This approach reduces the diagnosis time, increases its accuracy and allows patients to quickly start treatment.

 

Thanks to modern laboratories of pathomorphology, doctors working in such centers can individually select targeted and immune therapy for patients. New technologies have reduced the examination time, automated the material processing and made it possible to digitize the results.

Oncology dispensaries in Moscow have been replaced by outpatient cancer centers. Today they operate at the City Clinical Oncological Hospital No. 1, the Botkin Hospital and the Kommunarka Multi-Purpose Clinical Center. Almost all types of outpatient examinations and treatment are provided there. Special appointment posts help patients quickly book examinations, procedures and consultations.

 

In addition, a new laboratory of oncomorphology and molecular genetics was established at Oncology Hospital No.62, and a new oncosurgery section was opened at the City Clinical Oncological Hospital No. 1.

“In 2023–2024, we will complete the renewal of the oncology service. We will open a new medical and diagnostic facility of the Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center with two outpatient cancer centers and a strong unit of radiation diagnostics equipped with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners and PET/CT and SPECT/CT devices. The new facility will be equipped with more precise modern radiation therapy machines, which help minimize damage to healthy tissues and reduce the number of complications,” said the Moscow Mayor.

 

The 3D and 4D Radiation Therapy Center will be opened at the Kommunarka Multi-Purpose Clinical Center. Next year, Oncology Hospital No.62 in Skolkovo will be admitting patients in the new buildings.

 

Specialists work on the early diagnosis of digestive diseases, which are leaders in the structure of oncology. The Botkin Hospital, Buyanov City Hospital and Kommunarka Multi-Purpose Clinical Center have established modern endoscopic centers. The early diagnosis of esophageal cancer has increased by 34%, stomach - by 19%, intestines - by 16%.

“The sooner treatment is started, the better the result is. Client paths help avoid time wasting: pre-developed algorithms for seamless patient management from suspected malignant neoplasm to lifelong follow-up care. A personal assistant, which is allocated to every patient with an oncological diagnosis, will help them successfully follow the client path,” added the Moscow Mayor. They have already helped more than 100,000 residents of the Russian capital.

Moscow was the first city in Russia to implement new federal clinical guidelines for the treatment of the most common types of cancer. Patients are prescribed the most effective targeted and immune drugs. They target the tumor and minimize side effects.

 

The transition to a single digital platform for urban healthcare also helps improve the treatment quality. Patients can see the results of tests, consultations, examination protocols and appointments in electronic medical records. Computer vision technologies, which determine the smallest tumors in the images, are used to diagnose cancer. Digital transformation has recently begun in the field of pathology.

Sergei Sobyanin announces that most types of cancer care are included in the basic program of compulsory medical insurance. In addition, patients receive free 3D and 4D radiation therapy in 13 city, federal and private clinics.

“Establishment of radiation oncology units at the Loginov Moscow Clinical Scientific Center and Kommunarka Hospital will significantly increase the availability of this type of treatment, which is gradually becoming the gold standard of cancer care,” wrote the Moscow Mayor.

Last year, he initiated a research to develop the clinical facilities for using the latest drugs. According to their results, the most effective and safe medicines can be implemented in the Moscow healthcare system.

“The new Moscow cancer care standard is not a dogma. It is rather a mechanism for continuous improvement in the treatment of malignant neoplasms, which has been used in Moscow for several years. It yields real results - thousands of lives saved,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

He also adds that there is a city oncology council in Moscow with leading experts involved. The patient care standard has been changed in many ways thanks to the Moscow Cancer Society.