The International Congress on “Minimally Invasive Surgery in Cancer”: A Collaborative Event by Iran Cancer Institute and TUMS Directorate of International Relations
This online congress commenced on January 22, 2021, at the TUMS headquarters as the main hub, and is scheduled to continue every Friday until February 26th, 2021. Dr. H. Mahmoudzadeh, President of the Cancer Institute of Iran, on the sidelines of the first day of the program, noting that the Cancer Institute hosts international congresses every year, said: “For the first time, we are hosting the International Congress on the topic of “Minimally Invasive Surgery in Cancer”. He said that the purpose of holding the congress was to transfer and exchange knowledge in the field of minimally invasive surgeries in cancer and continued: "Upgrading the scientific level of colleagues and familiarity with the latest technologies and current issues in this field are other objectives of the congress. Minimally invasive surgeries have grown significantly worldwide in recent years, and this type of surgeries seek to reduce tissue damage using laparoscope, thoracoscope, endoscope, or colonoscope, while maintaining the effectiveness and safety of the surgery."
Dr. Mahmoudzadeh stated that the history of minimally invasive cancer surgeries in the world is as less than 30 years and added: "The history of this type of surgery in Iran is about two decades and has been used for gallbladder and abdominal hernia surgery in the past, but today it covers a wider range. Therefore, the need to gain experience from more developed countries is felt more than ever.”
Then, Dr. Ramesh Omranipour, President of the International Congress of Minimally Invasive Surgeries on Cancer, announced the holding of this international event in a series of six sessions and added: "In the framework of these sessions, we will discuss minimally invasive surgery in cancers of esophagus, stomach, liver, bile ducts and pancreas, colorectal and gynecology."
Referring to the participation of about 30 international speakers, who are prominent experts in the field from Japan, China, South Korea, USA, UK, France, Russia, Belgium, India, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Netherlands and Turkey, and six prominent Iranian speakers in the Congress, Dr. Omranipour said: “So far, 150 foreign participants and about 300 Iranian participants have registered to participate in the program. Interested parties in Iran and other parts of the world can attend these sessions that are planned and managed with the best quality and at the level of international standards, free of charge.”
Dr. Amir Mohsen Jalaeifar, Scientific Secretary of the Congress, also said: "In each part of the Congress, prominent Iranian speakers from Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Nikan Hospital, Khatam al-Anbia Hospital, Imam Khomeini Hospital and the Iranian Cancer Institute, and international experts from scientific and medical centers such as Henan Cancer Hospital, China, Oregon Clinic, USA, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium, University of South Florida Cancer Center, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Seoul National University Cancer Research Institute, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Strasbourg University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, Moscow National University, Reims University, France, Royal Marsden Hospital, England, University of Ankara, Turkey, Champalimaud Surgery Center, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, University of Portsmouth, UK, Gemelli University Hospital, Italy, Asklepios Altona Clinic, Germany Yale University School of Medicine, Galaxy Care India Laparoscopic Center, IRCAD French Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Oxford University Hospital have been invited.”
At the end of the first day of the conference, Dr. Mohammad Hossein Nekoofar, Director of TUMS Directorate of International Relations, said: “Following the Dr. Jalaeifar's proposal to hold webinars on this topic, about three months ago, the Appraise-to-Raise team held meetings with the president of the Cancer Institute and the program's scientific and executive secretaries to plan and organize the event.” He also mentioned that the Appraise-to-Raise project, one of the TUMS international programs, was formed after the Corona epidemic with organizing online Journal Clubs and also international webinars, and today, is proud to hold an important international congress of this kind in six consecutive weeks.
Dr. Nekoofar noted that the main part of the expenses for holding this online congress have been provided from the budget received from some international organizations that have a cooperation agreement with TUMS.
It is worth noting that this congress is free of charge for all interested parties, and more information about this congress and how to register can be obtained through the following link:
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