ONCOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND TRANSPLANTOLOGY

Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025

Editorial
Charting the Future of Cancer and Organ Failure Care: A New Forum for Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology
Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology, 1(1), 2025, onmt005
ABSTRACT: This inaugural editorial introduces the new journal, "Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology," launched by the National Research Oncology Center (NROC) in Kazakhstan. It outlines the journal's mission to serve as a pivotal interdisciplinary platform integrating these three rapidly evolving and interconnected fields. The editorial emphasizes the journal's commitment to addressing significant healthcare challenges at the national level in Kazakhstan, stimulating regional collaboration across Central Asia, and contributing to the global scientific discourse. The goal is to foster the exchange of original research, clinical experiences, and innovative practices to ultimately improve patient care and advance medical science in these critical specialties.
Review Article
Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Admission Department in the Oncological Hospital using the Example of NROC
Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology, 1(1), 2025, onmt004
ABSTRACT: Introduction: This study is aimed at assessing the operational efficiency of the admission department of the National Research Oncological Center (NROC) for the period from 2020 to 2024 with an emphasis on the impact of digitalization on patient management and workflow optimization. Telemedicine is a key tool for improving the availability and quality of medical care, especially for patients living in remote regions. In oncology, its importance is increasing due to the need for interdisciplinary interaction and quick routing of patients.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using internal hospital records, admission logs, and national healthcare regulations. Key performance indicators were assessed, including patient intake volume, processing time, and rejection rates. The impact of digital tools such as automated registration, routing algorithms, and remote clinical validation was examined.
Results: Patient visits increased from 5,664 in 2020 to 11,851 in 2024, while cancer-related hospitalizations rose from 1,477 to 6,102. The average waiting time for reception was reduced from 12 to 7 hours, and the processing time for documentation was reduced from 45 to 15 minutes. The introduction of digital solutions improved the accuracy of admission and reduced the number of inappropriate hospitalizations. Improvements in identifying clinical contraindications and infectious risks through remote screening technologies were also noted. The number of telemedicine consultations increased 3 times, especially in surgery and transplantology.
Conclusion: Digital transformation has significantly improved admissions efficiency, improving patient flow, reducing processing time and improving decision-making. Further development of digital infrastructure and staff competencies is recommended to ensure sustainable growth and quality of care in cancer care. The comprehensive implementation of telemedicine and interaction with air ambulance contribute to increasing the availability of cancer care, optimizing resources and reducing costs.
Original Article
Diagnostic Efficiency of Ultrasound Imaging in Assessing the Extent of Lymphoma
Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology, 1(1), 2025, onmt001
ABSTRACT: Summary: The article presents the results of evaluating the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound (US) in determining the extent of pathological processes in lymphoma patients. The study included 48 patients with Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who were hospitalized at the National Scientific Oncology Center from 2021 to 2024. All participants underwent comprehensive ultrasound of the abdominal parenchymal organs and lymph nodes using B-mode and Doppler imaging. The obtained data indicate high sensitivity and specificity of US in detecting liver, spleen, and abdominal lymph node involvement. Characteristic echographic signs of lymphatic conglomerates and associated complications such as ascites and exudative pleuritis were noted. Given the availability and safety of the method, US can be considered a key tool for primary diagnosis and lymphoma monitoring in clinical practice.
The purpose of the study: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound (US) in assessing the extent of the disease in lymphoma.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 48 medical records of patients with confirmed diagnoses of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin’s malignant lymphoma (NHL) who were treated at the National Scientific Oncology Center between 2021 and 2024. All patients underwent comprehensive abdominal ultrasound, pleural ultrasound, and lymph node imaging with Doppler.
Results: Pathological changes in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and pleura were detected in all patients. In 60% of cases, the lymph node conglomerates appeared echonegative, while 5% showed signs of aggressive progression (undefined capsules, liquefaction). Typical echographic signs of diffuse and focal organ changes were observed.
Case Report
Combined Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric Arterio-Venous Malformation
Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology, 1(1), 2025, onmt003
ABSTRACT: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE), also known as “watermelon stomach,” is a rare but clinically significant cause of chronic anemia and upper gastrointestinal bleeding, particularly in elderly patients. Although uncommon, GAVE considerably affects quality of life due to recurrent bleeding, frequent hospitalizations, and the need for blood transfusions. Diagnosis is typically based on endoscopic findings, characterized by red, radiating streaks from the pylorus or multiple punctate angioectasias in the antrum. Therapeutic approaches include various endoscopic methods, most notably argon plasma coagulation (APC) and endoscopic band ligation (EBL), each with specific advantages and limitations. Recent studies have emphasized the benefits of combining these two modalities to achieve more effective and durable hemostasis.
This case report presents a 79-year-old female patient with GAVE syndrome, manifested by chronic iron-deficiency anemia. Initially, the patient underwent APC, which provided temporary improvement but failed to achieve complete resolution. On follow-up endoscopy, persistent angioectatic lesions prompted a second-stage procedure using a combined treatment strategy: three elastic bands were applied to the most prominent vascular areas, followed by APC on residual superficial lesions. Over the next three months, the patient underwent regular endoscopic surveillance and laboratory monitoring. Follow-up assessments revealed significant clinical and endoscopic improvement, including normalization of hemoglobin levels and regression of vascular malformations, with no signs of recurrent anemia or bleeding.
This clinical case highlights the effectiveness and safety of combined endoscopic therapy using EBL and APC in patients with refractory or recurrent GAVE. The synergistic action of both techniques allows for comprehensive treatment of both superficial and deeper vascular lesions, improving long-term outcomes and reducing the need for repeated interventions. Combined therapy may be considered the treatment of choice in complex GAVE cases, offering a promising strategy in routine endoscopic practice.
Case Report
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a Rare Variant of Richter's Syndrome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Clinical Case Description
Oncology, Nuclear Medicine and Transplantology, 1(1), 2025, onmt002
ABSTRACT: Richter's syndrome (RS) is a malignant transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) into a more aggressive lymphoid neoplasm. Typically, this term refers to the development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which accounts for 90-95% of transformations. Much more rarely (in less than 5% of cases), the so-called Hodgkin’s variant of Richter’s syndrome occurs—transformation into classical Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL). [1] The Hodgkin’s variant is characterized by the appearance of Reed-Sternberg cells or their variants in the infiltrate, surrounded by an inflammatory background typical of HL. It most often develops in patients with a long history of CLL/SLL, sometimes in the context of immunosuppression or after treatment with purine analogs and monoclonal antibodies. [2] The clinical picture of the Hodgkin’s variant of Richter’s syndrome typically includes pronounced B-symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), rapidly progressing enlargement of lymph nodes and/or splenomegaly. Unlike the DLBCL variant, the course may be somewhat less aggressive; however, the prognosis remains unfavorable compared to primary Hodgkin’s lymphoma. [3]