The history of department
The Department of Oncology was established in 1979 on the basis of the Tselinograd Regional Oncology Dispensary. The first Head of the Department was Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences N.A. Volobuev. The faculty included Associate Professor E.G. Shabash, and Assistants I.B. Struzhko, N.S. Zadontseva (oncogynecologist), B.V. Podshivaylov, and S.O. Daniyarov.
From 1991 to 1994, the Department was headed by Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences S.R. Zarkeshev. During this period, the faculty included Assistants V.V. Verchenko and Yu.V. Zhukov.
From 1995 to 1997, the Department was reorganized into a Course of Oncology with Radiologic Diagnostics and Radiation Therapy. The course was headed by Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences L.S. Letnikova, and the academic staff included Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences O.Yu. Volikov, Assistants B.V. Podshivaylov, K.A. Zhakipbayev, and G.A. Uanasov.
In 1997, the Department of Oncology was re-established, headed by Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences Abay Kairgozhinovich Makishev, a graduate of the Tselinograd State Medical Institute and a trainee of Academician M.I. Davydov, President of RAMS, Director of the Russian Cancer Research Center named after N.N. Blokhin (Moscow). The Department also included a Course of Radiologic Diagnostics and Radiation Therapy (Head of Course — Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences L.S. Letnikova).
At that time, the faculty included Associate Professors, Candidates of Medical Sciences K.A. Zhakipbayev, K.K. Mukametzhan, M.K. Zhagiparov, and D.K. Kenbayeva.
Since 2000, the Department incorporated courses in Endocrinology, Clinical Nutrition, and Occupational Pathology headed by Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences M.T. Ibrayeva. Faculty members included Assistants, Candidates of Medical Sciences G.T. Sadybekova, S.T. Temirbayeva, and V.N. Zelenskaya.
Since 2005, the Department incorporated a Course of Phthisiology, headed by Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences A.A. Bugakov. The faculty included Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences S.L. Bugakova, and Assistants G.N. Doschozhina, A.A. Zhandarkulov, and R.S. Rakhimzhanova.
Since 2006, the Department incorporated a Course of Neurosurgery headed by Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences S.K. Akshulakov.
Over the years, many specialists have completed clinical residency, postgraduate studies, and oncology residency training at the Department, including:
O.N. Mashkova, S.A. Ushakov, I.K. Vlasov, M.K. Zhagiparov, B.T. Zhusupova, E.R. Dibaeva, R.R. Sultanov, Kh.A. Imanbayev, B.Sh. Saktashev, I.I. Shtefanov, M.S. Mauletbayev, G.T. Suenshbaeva, A.M. Sarsenbayeva, A.N. Amandosova, A.S. Manasheva, A.G. Turebekova, A.T. Ermaganbetova, G.O. Aripzhanova, G.B. Bagatova, A.M. Tazhikova, A.Sh. Bokebayeva, L.G. Abilova, N.S. Timchenko, L.A. Kuleshova, A.A. Aitbayeva, A.S. Zauirbekova, A.M. Kukanova, Zh.K. Muratkaliyeva, L.A. Khashimova, N.M. Zhantemirova, S. Dolda, Z.S. Yeschanova, A.S. Zhamantaeva, G.T. Dzhumabaeva, F.U. Abdurakhmanov, M.B. Zharkeneva, S.B. Sagieva, E.A. Niyazbayeva, G.N. Aliyeva, A.K. Moldantaeva, A.A. Danyyarova, V.A. Yugai, Sh.E. Bolatova, M.M. Sovetkhanova, D. Nigmatulla, A.P. Suleimenova, A. Zhumadilova, Zh. Kuralbayev.
Activity
1. Educational and methodological work.
The Department of Oncology provides training across all levels of medical education, including undergraduate studies, internship, residency, master’s programs, and doctoral (PhD) studies.
The department has a sufficient academic staff, including professors, associate professors, and assistants. Continuity is an essential principle of the department: many of its former graduates now serve as its faculty members. Each year, the department recruits new staff from the Multidisciplinary Medical Center of the Nur-Sultan city administration, who serve as mentors for oncology residents.
The educational process actively incorporates innovative teaching technologies, including:
- the “Reference Signals” method,
- case-study approach,
- Problem-Based Learning (PBL),
- Case-Based Learning (CBL).
The use of standardized patients enables simulation of real clinical scenarios for assessments of students, interns, and residents. To support this process, 25 new educational technology acts have been developed and implemented, covering all topics of the academic calendar and thematic plan.
The department annually publishes educational and methodological manuals for students and interns, including:
- “Oncogynecology” (Kazakh language),
- “Mastopathy and Breast Cancer”,
- “Malignant and Benign Diseases of the Stomach”,
- “Oncogynecology”,
- “Oncological Gynecology” (English language).
Faculty members certified in IELTS conduct classes in English for international students from India and Pakistan.
The teaching staff regularly enhances their pedagogical competencies, with cascading involvement of all department members. In addition, the faculty trains instructors from medical universities of Kazakhstan and neighboring countries in innovative teaching methods within academic mobility programs, including:
- Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (Kazakhstan),
- Avicenna Tajik State Medical University (Tajikistan),
- Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute (Uzbekistan).
Over its history, more than 50,000 students have been trained at the Department of Oncology, many of whom are now working across Kazakhstan and abroad.
The department implements postgraduate training in the residency program “Oncology (Adult)”. Considering the needs of practical healthcare, the Department of Oncology under the leadership of Professor Makishev A.K. provides staffing for the Northern region of the country.
In the 2022–2023 academic year, the number of oncology residents reached 45 trainees. Throughout the department’s existence, more than 65 oncologists have completed their residency training.
2. Scientific work.
The department’s scientific activities are developing in various areas of clinical oncology:
In collaboration with the National Center for Biotechnology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, research is being conducted for the first time in Kazakhstan involving the provision of human tumor cells and tissues as part of the state program "Development of Modern Technologies for the Formation of a Biotechnology Cluster in the Republic of Kazakhstan." This research is also developing a method for using mAbs (monoclonal antibodies) in cancer diagnostics. Currently, work is underway to study the immunobiological properties of the obtained antigens, including immunization of mice to determine their immunogenicity.
In collaboration with the National Laboratory Astana "at JSC" Nazarbayev The University is conducting research work, a grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Development of therapy for pancreatic cancer with an oxidative combination of drugs targeting KRAS mutant cancer cells” and a targeted funding program “Development of antitumor drugs that induce glucose-dependent cytotoxic oxidative stress .”
Reconstructive methods of treating breast cancer are being introduced (TRAM flap, DIEP flap).
Work continues on studying and implementing the possibilities of oncological rehabilitation for cancer patients with complications after complex treatment.
The faculty actively publishes in international journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, as well as journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in the Sphere of Education (Kazakhstan), and conference proceedings. The results of the research work are confirmed by fifteen certificates of intellectual property copyright.
The average Hirsch index of the faculty is 1.
Number of journal articles indexed on the Web of Science and Scopus – 9, of which:
Ø in journals of the first quartile Q1 - 3 articles
Ø in journals of the first quartile Q2 – 2 articles
Ø in journals of the first quartile Q3 – 3 articles
Ø in journals of the first quartile Q4 – 2 articles
Under the supervision of Professor Makishev A.K., publication activities of master’s and PhD students are monitored by the Chairman of the Council of Graduate and Doctoral Students of the Department and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Oncology and Immunology Research, Bakhytzhan Talgatovich Azhken.
A doctoral dissertation was defended at the Department of Oncology:
Prof. Makishev A.K., 1997
Four candidate dissertations have been defended at the Department of Oncology:
1. Zhakipbaev K.A., 1999.
2. Zhagiparov M.K., 2006.
3. Saktashev , B.Sh., 2010
4. Imanbaev Kh.A., 2010
Since 2016, 11 master's theses have been defended:
1. Dzhandaev D.S.
2. Stefanov I.I.
3. Bekisheva A.T.
4. Aitbaeva A.A.
5. Ermagambetova A.T.
6. Kukanova A.M.
7. Rutzhanuly I.
8. Tazhikova A.M.
9. Amandosova A.N.
10. Omarov E.D.
11. Dzhantemirova N.M.
Currently studying for a Master's degree:
1) Mergalieva A.A.
2) Asan A.N.
3) Өтеп М.Қ .
In 2022, three doctoral dissertations ( PhD ) were defended in the specialty "Medicine" in the areas of rehabilitation of patients after surgical treatment of gastrointestinal cancer and surgical treatment of patients with locally advanced forms of tumors of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space.
1) Bekisheva A.T.
2) Mauletbaev M.S.
3) Stefanov I.I.
Planned defenses of doctoral dissertations in the specialty "Medicine":
1) Kukanova A.M.
2) Dzhantemirova N.M.
3) Akhmedin D.N.
Currently studying in the ( PhD ) doctoral program:
1) Aitbaeva A.A.
2) Gazizova E.B.
3) Zhanymbetova A.R.
Patents for inventions have been obtained, rationalization proposals have been made, and more than 550 scientific papers and abstracts have been published. Department staff actively participated in thirteen International Congresses of Oncologists and Radiologists of the CIS and Eurasia, presenting five papers, three poster presentations, and publishing 72 scientific abstracts at the International Congress of European Oncologists (Stockholm, Sweden, 2008).
Our staff regularly participates in annual congresses of oncologists and radiologists from the CIS and Eurasia. We actively participate in international scientific and practical conferences organized by the Astana Multidisciplinary Medical Center. We also present papers and publish papers at international congresses of oncologists and radiologists.
Assistants, residents, master's students, and doctoral students from the department are actively involved in presenting at young scientists' conferences. Recently, prizes have been awarded to:
Kukanova A.M. " Chemoembolization of uterine arteries in patients with cervical cancer." 1st place, 2015.
Dzhantemirova N.M. “Characteristics of metastatic lesions of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer” 1st place, 2016.
Bekisheva A.T. "Treatment Possibilities for Dumping Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Surgical Treatment of Gastric Cancer." 1st place, 2017.
Zharkeneva M.B. "Features of surgical treatment of patients with kidney cancer complicated by inferior vena cava thrombosis" participant's diploma, 2018
Mauletbaev M.S. "Repeat operations for tumors of the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space after exploratory laparotomy" 1st place, 2018.
Madinova M.B. "Features of the micrographic surgery M OHS for skin cancer" 1st place, 2021.
Amangeldina Ә .А. " Dynamic observation of patients with VPP after surgical treatment " 2nd place, 2021.
Bogaychuk A.A. " The Importance of IHC Research in Breast Cancer Therapy " 3rd place, 2021.
Gazizova E.B. " Fluorescence diagnostics of sentinel lymph nodes in stage I - II oral cancer " participant's diploma, 2021.
3. Clinical activities.
Over the past 28 years, at the Multidisciplinary Medical Center of the city of Astana, the faculty of the Department of Oncology and the Oncology Dispensary—under the leadership of Professor Makishev A.K.—have implemented advanced techniques for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of malignant tumors, including extended and combined procedures with lymph node dissection.
Esophageal and Gastric Cancer
- Extended esophagectomy and subtotal resection of thoracic and abdominal esophagus with esophagogastroplasty
(operations of Lewis, Savinykh, Garlock) - Combined gastrectomy, subtotal proximal and distal gastric resections
- One-stage esophagectomy with reconstruction using an isoperistaltic gastric tube or whole stomach
Lung Cancer
- Extended pneumonectomy
- Bilobectomy
- Lobectomy with intrapericardial ligation of pulmonary vessels
Laryngeal Cancer
- Extended laryngectomy with Kraile lymph node dissection
Pancreatic Cancer
- Pancreatoduodenectomy
- Total pancreatectomy
- Distal pancreatic resection
Liver Cancer
- Hemihepatectomy
- Liver resection
Rectal Cancer
- Abdominoperineal resection with sigmoid colon pull-through
Kidney Cancer
- Extended nephrectomy
- Resection and reconstruction of the inferior vena cava
- Removal of metastatic tumor thrombus
- Wedge nephrectomy
Bladder Cancer
- One-stage cystectomy with creation of a urinary reservoir from the small intestine with ureteral implantation
(Bricker procedure)
Prostate Cancer
- Radical prostatectomy
Gynecologic Malignancies
- Extended hysterectomy with pelvic and iliac lymph node dissection (Wertheim procedure)
Other Major Clinical Advancements
- Complex resections of bone tumors (sternum, iliac bone, femur) with reconstruction using bone cement
- Advanced surgeries of the head and neck (laryngeal resection, maxillary sinus resection)
- Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic surgeries of thoracic and abdominal organs, including lung and gynecologic tumor removal
Astana Oncology Center, held its first international meeting and master classes with leading professors from the Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. Patients from the surgical, gynecologic oncology, radiology, and chemotherapy departments were consulted, a number of joint surgeries were performed, and lectures were delivered.
4. Educational work.
Annual educational work is conducted with fourth- and fifth-year students of the Faculty of General Medicine, interns, and residents. Daily group discussions of periodical publications on educational topics are held. Discussions are held on the speeches of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in Kazakhstan and internationally. During classes, 30-minute discussions are held daily on medical ethics, principles of deontology, subordination, and relationships with medical personnel. Each group discusses a healthy lifestyle and the dangers of smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse. Assistants actively participated in citywide cleanup days.
The department actively participates in the celebration of Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Presentations on Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan are prepared for students, residents, and sixth- and seventh-year interns. The staff actively participates in the New Year, March 8, and І “Nauryz Meiramy” celebrations organized by the trade union and the administration of the NAO "MUA". Every year, the department during the celebration of " Nauryz" Meiramy " takes first place in the nominations.
During Nauryz celebrations, the department traditionally wins top places in university competitions.
Faculty members also participate in university sports events, earning prizes in:
- chess (“Rector’s Cup”),
- volleyball,
- togyz kumalak,
- checkers and tennis.
Commemorative events are held for Victory Day and Memorial Day of WWII heroes, including themed lectures for students and interns.
Professional orientation work is conducted at School-Lyceum No. 38 of Astana, using presentations and video materials about the medical university.
Achievements
More than 550 scientific publications and conference abstracts have been produced.
Faculty members have actively participated in ten International Congresses of Oncologists and Radiologists of CIS countries and ESMO, presenting oral and poster reports.
Contacts
Astana, Manasa St., 17.
"Multidisciplinary medical center" of the Akimat of Astana – 5th floor, 501.
For consultations, please contact the department’s reception at : +7 702 539 97 19
E-mail: kafedra.onkologii.amu@gmail.com
