Stages of Oncology Development and Current State in Georgia

Background: Cancer remains one of the major public health challenges in Georgia. During recent decades, substantial progress has occurred in cancer registration, diagnosis, screening and treatment. The establishment of a population-based national cancer registry on 1 January 2015 was a major milestone in the development of oncology in Georgia. Objective: to summarize the major historical stages of oncology development in Georgia and assess the current epidemiological situation, diagnostic and therapeutic capacity, and major challenges of the national oncology system. Materials and Methods: A focused review of scientific literature and official national and international sources was conducted. PubMed/MEDLINE, the International Agency for Research on Cancer Global Cancer Observatory, Georgian cancer registry data and official health-sector information were considered. Particular attention was given to studies published after 2015. Results: Oncology in Georgia initially developed around surgical and radiation treatment and subsequently evolved toward a multidisciplinary model. According to national cancer registry data, 50,098 cancer cases were registered in Georgia between 2015 and 2019, including 21,802 cases in men and 28,296 in women. Lung, prostate, bladder and colorectal cancers were among the most common cancers in men, while breast, thyroid, colorectal, cervical and corpus uteri cancers predominated among women. Population-based data showed three-year age-standardized net survival of 84.4% for breast cancer and 30.6% for stomach cancer. Access to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted treatment has expanded substantially in recent years. Conclusion: Georgian oncology has undergone considerable modernization. Future progress should focus on earlier diagnosis, improved screening participation, development of molecular diagnostics and precision oncology, reduction of regional inequalities, and strengthening of patient-centered supportive and palliative care.