Turkish Breast Cancer Research: New Hope

A pioneering gene study led by world-renowned Turkish scientist Professor Dr. Atilla Soran and his research team in the United States is bringing new hope to the fight against breast cancer. Professor Soran, a leading expert in breast cancer treatment and research, heads the Department of Breast Surgery Clinical Research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and also serves as a consultant at Liv Hospital Ulus in Türkiye. This Turkish Breast Cancer Research represents a major milestone, offering the potential to stop the spread of breast cancer and transform future treatment approaches.

Breast Cancer Research: New Horizons in Breast Cancer Treatment

The power of early detection

• If breast cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate can be as high as 99%.
• Finding breast cancer at a later stage lowers the five-year survival rate to around 20%.
• Advances in screening (including high-quality mammography, ultrasound in appropriate cases, and MRI for high-risk patients) have led to earlier diagnoses, which, in turn, support better survival outcomes. In Turkish Breast Cancer Research pathways, screening is increasingly integrated with risk stratification and genetics to personalize follow-up.

Precision medicine at the forefront

• Detect specific genetic alterations that drive tumor growth and progression.
• Match therapies to actionable mutations to amplify the chance of clinical benefit.
• Monitor tumor evolution over time and adapt treatment accordingly.

Breast Cancer Research: Personalized Care Through Next-Generation Sequencing

Approximately one in four patients with early-stage breast cancer may experience recurrence even after initial treatment. Once breast cancer spreads to distant organs such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain—a process known as metastasis—treatment becomes more complex and often includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy.

With the use of next-generation sequencing, physicians can analyze the genetic profile of each tumor to determine which therapies are most effective for that particular patient. This approach allows for highly personalized treatment strategies that improve survival and quality of life. Such personalized care represents one of the most significant advancements emphasized by Turkish Breast Cancer Research, underscoring the role of precision medicine in shaping the future of oncology.

Breast Cancer Research: Promising Findings from the University of Pittsburgh Study

A recent study led by Professor Soran at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, published in the Journal of Clinical Breast Cancer, examined the genetic makeup of 41 Turkish breast cancer patients whose cancer had spread to major organs. Using a specialized gene analysis technique developed at the university, the research team studied 79 tumor genes and 1,369 genetic mutations in tumor DNA.

The findings revealed 59 genetic variations across 38 tumor genes, with 8 of these mutations considered clinically significant for determining treatment strategies. Remarkably, several gene changes were found to be linked to organ-specific cancer spread in Turkish patients. Such findings highlight how Breast Cancer Research can help predict metastatic patterns and guide targeted therapies.

Breast Cancer Research: A Continuation of the Turkish Study Legacy

This research builds upon Professor Soran’s earlier landmark study, known as the “Turkish Study,” which demonstrated that timely surgical intervention in breast cancer patients with distant metastases increased 10-year survival rates by 30%. Together, these findings emphasize how genetic analysis and surgical timing can play a key role in improving survival outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

By identifying and targeting specific tumor gene mutations, physicians may soon be able to design personalized treatment plans that significantly enhance recovery prospects. Over the next decade, such advancements could reshape global breast cancer treatment protocols, providing new hope and improved quality of life for countless patients.

Breast Cancer Research: Key Breast Cancer Insights and Trends

• In the United States, more than 300,000 new cases and over 40,000 breast cancer-related deaths were reported in 2020.
• Over 3.5 million women in the United States who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer are currently living healthy lives.
• Women with a first-degree relative, such as a mother, sister, or daughter, who has had breast cancer face approximately double the risk of developing the disease.
• Following a decline in the use of unnecessary hormone replacement therapy, breast cancer incidence has dropped by about 7%.
• Mortality rates have decreased by approximately 2% over the past decade due to advances in early detection and treatment.
• Early diagnosis increases the five-year survival rate to 99%, while late-stage detection reduces it to about 20%.

Breast Cancer Research: A Vision for the Future of Breast Cancer Treatment

The latest Turkish Breast Cancer Research reflects the growing importance of genetic and molecular medicine in oncology. By focusing on the unique genetic signatures of tumors, researchers aim to create treatments that are not only more effective but also less invasive and better suited to individual needs. This represents a major step toward personalized and preventive medicine, where understanding a patient’s genetic makeup can guide both diagnosis and therapy.

Professor Dr. Atilla Soran’s leadership in this field continues to strengthen the global impact of Turkish medical research. His work demonstrates how collaboration between international research centers and top Turkish institutions such as Liv Hospital can accelerate innovation in healthcare.

Liv Hospital remains dedicated to supporting medical excellence and global health progress. As one of Türkiye’s leading healthcare institutions, it upholds the principles of its name, Leading International Vision, through a commitment to advanced research, patient-centered care, and innovation in medical science.

*  Liv Hospital Editorial Board  has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .

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