The Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology was founded in October, 2005, after the reorganization of the course on pediatric hematology and transfusiology, which had been founded by professor Tatiana Kozarezova, who had been head of this course. From the time of its foundation until 2011, the department was headed by professor Olga Aleynikova, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus; from 2011 to 2015, Natalia Konoplya, an associate professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, was head of the department; from 2015 to 2016, the department was headed by Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor Galina Kachan. Since November, 2016, Natalia Klimkovich, Doctor of Medical Sciences, has been heading the department.
Academic work
The department offers postgraduate training for physicians working at clinics, and for specialists working at scientific centers and educational establishments. They undergo advanced training courses and are issued certificates in hematology and oncology.
The department offers advanced training courses (40, 80 and 160 hours) on clinical hematology, oncology and immunology for pediatricians, oncologists, hematologists, intensivists, neonatologists, infectionists, general practitioners, recreation therapists, laboratory diagnostics physicians, transplantologists, allergologists. Annually, the department holds 15 - 20 courses. In their academic work, specialists of the department constantly use their practical experience and scientific achievements in clinical hematology, oncology and immunology.
If so agreed, the department holds visiting seminars to regions of the Republic of Belarus and CIS countries.
The department offers clinical residency and postgraduate courses on hematology and oncology for physicians.
After completing the courses and passing the exams specialists are issued diplomas, national certificate of advanced training.
The department provides training on a cost accounting basis on the following issues:
- Hematology (612 hours);
- Oncology (612 hours);
- Latest hematological technologies in the practice of a pediatrician (160 hours);
- Modern methods of diagnostics of anemia in children (80 hours);
- Multidisciplinary approach at emergency conditions in pediatric oncology and hematology (80 hours);
- Early diagnostics of lymphatic sarcomas (40 hour);
- Modern approaches to pediatric clinical hematology in outpatient conditions (80 hours);
- Innovative methods of diagnostics and treatment of oncology diseases in children (80 hours);
- Physiology and pathology of the hemostasis system in children (80 hours);
- New concepts and methods in pediatric clinical immunology (80 hours);
- Modern technologies of diagnostics, treatment and prevention of mammary gland diseases in children and teenagers (80 hours);
- Ultrasound research methods in pediatric oncology and hematology (80 hours)
Scientific activities
Within the time staff of the department has published about 2000 works, 7 monographs, 48 educational guidance manuals, 16 instructions for use, 6 patents have been received.
At present scientific work of the department is carried out in the following fields:
- optimization of the methods of diagnostics and treatment of oncological and hematological diseases;
- mmunological reconstitution after transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells;
- development and implementation of new complex treatment methods to cure malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system and bone sarcomas in children;
- biological characteristics and pathophysiological mechanisms of myelodysplastic syndromes;
- development of new treatment methods of hemophilia in children (induction of immunological tolerance);
- expert and rehabilitational diagnostics and technology of medical rehabilitation at blood diseases in children.
Clinical work
Clinical and diagnostic work is carried out by the department's staff in Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology and in the N.N. Aleksandrov Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Oncology and Medical Radiology.
Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology provides medical care children and adolescents under 18 years of age with all types of cancer (except for thyroid cancer), hematological and immunological diseases, as well as young adults with acute diagnoses lymphoblastic leukemia, germ cell tumors (advanced stages and relapse) up to 29 years, acute myeloblastic leukemia, lymphoma, Ewing's sarcoma up to 21 years. Thanks to the use of modern diagnostic and treatment protocols, the introduction of high-tech methods, the Center has achieved results comparable to the world's leading centers. Thus, the overall five-year survival rate of children (0-17 years) with hemoblastoses (leukemia, lymphoma) is 84%, and for other malignancies (excluded hemoblastoses) – 75%.
N.N. Aleksandrov Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Oncology and Medical Radiology takes the first place among the leading belarusian medical centres, more than 60-year experience in diagnosis and treatment. 11 professors, 24 doctors of science, 75 masters of science, one corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus are employed by the centre.
The staff of the department underwent internships at the clinic of the Faculty of Medicine of the Humboldt University (Berlin), university clinics in Frankfurt am Main (Germany), Tel Aviv (Israel), Hiroshima (Japan), London (Canada), Innsbruck (Austria), Rome (Italy), at the Institute for Health Research (INSERM, U768), Paris (France), at international medical seminars on hematology and oncology (Salzburg, Austria).
International cooperation
The department cooperates with the following organizations:
- World Federation of Hemophilia
- European Hematology Association
- European Register of Patients with Primary Immunodeficiencies
- Department of Allergology / Immunology, Johns Hopkins Children's Hospital, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
Annually all specialists of the department participate at international conferences, congresses, symposia, exhibitions.
