Changes in axillary lymph node management, surgical de-escalation after neoadjuvant therapy, personalized endocrine therapy and the application of AI in breast MRI will be among the key topics discussed by Vietnamese experts and 10 Korean speakers at the conference “New Trends in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Highlights from GBCC 2026,” taking place on October 3, 2026, at Hong Ngoc – Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital .
Breast cancer treatment is undergoing significant changes. Emerging approaches focus not only on treatment selection, but also on the extent of intervention, timing of treatment and identification of the most appropriate patient groups.
In surgery, strategies to reduce axillary lymph node intervention and de-escalate surgical extent after neoadjuvant therapy continue to be investigated. In systemic therapy, drug selection and treatment duration are increasingly personalized based on each patient’s biological characteristics and risk profile. In diagnostic imaging, AI is also opening new possibilities in breast MRI analysis and lesion assessment.
These are among the key highlights from the Global Breast Cancer Conference (GBCC) 2026 brought to Vietnam for discussion at a conference organized by Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital in collaboration with the GBCC Organizing Committee and the Korean Breast Cancer Society (KBCS).
GBCC is an international specialized conference on breast cancer, bringing together experts, researchers and physicians from many countries to update the latest studies, evidence and trends in diagnosis and treatment. KBCS is a professional breast cancer society in South Korea, focusing on research, training and professional development, while also serving as the host organization of GBCC.
Four scientific sessions focusing on emerging trends in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
The presentations will explore issues that directly influence clinical decision-making, including selecting appropriate patient groups for axillary de-escalation, evaluating response after neoadjuvant therapy to optimize the extent of surgery, personalizing endocrine therapy, managing endocrine resistance and applying AI in breast MRI analysis.
A notable highlight of the conference is the participation of 10 Korean speakers together with Vietnamese experts in the field of breast cancer. Many of them hold professional roles within GBCC, KBCS and major medical centers in South Korea.
Among them are Prof. Jeong Eon Lee, MD, PhD - President of GBCC, Chair of the KBCS Board of Directors and Director of the Breast Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center; as well as Vietnamese experts including Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Dinh Tung, MD, PhD - Head of the Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital; Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong, MD, PhD - Head of the Oncology Department, Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital; and Le Hong Cuc, MD, Specialist Level II - Chair of the Vietnam Society of Breast Imaging.
The key value of the program lies not only in updating the content presented at GBCC 2026. After each presentation session, participating experts and physicians will discuss, share clinical experience and exchange practical perspectives on key issues in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Through its collaboration with GBCC and KBCS in organizing the conference, Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital continues to expand international cooperation, contributing to the advancement of academic updates and professional exchange in the field of breast cancer.
Reducing surgical intervention while expanding treatment options for appropriate patient groups
One of the key highlights of the program is the trend toward de-escalating surgical intervention in breast cancer treatment.
The presentations will update new evidence on axillary de-escalation, while also analyzing the potential to reduce the extent of surgery based on response after neoadjuvant therapy. The focus will be on accurately identifying patient groups that may benefit, selection criteria and the limitations of each approach.
Assoc. Prof. Soong June Bae, MD, PhD, together with Korean experts, will share updates related to axillary management and surgical de-escalation. Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Dinh Tung, MD, PhD will present “Advances in Breast Cancer Surgery in Vietnam” and will also co-chair two specialized surgical sessions.
In addition, the presentations will address key issues currently being discussed in surgery for early-stage breast cancer, such as whether small breast tumors always require surgery, optimal margin width in breast-conserving surgery, and indications for intraoperative frozen-section assessment of surgical margins and sentinel lymph nodes. The integration of international evidence and domestic clinical experience will provide an additional foundation for professional exchange among surgeons, oncologists and related specialists.
Personalizing treatment based on each patient’s characteristics and risk profile
Systemic therapy is another key focus of the conference, covering topics from early-stage breast cancer to advanced and metastatic disease.
Assoc. Prof. Joo Heung Kim, MD, PhD will provide updates on personalized endocrine therapy in early-stage luminal breast cancer, focusing on the selection of appropriate treatment approaches and duration. In addition, experts will analyze endocrine resistance, adjuvant treatment strategies for high-risk groups and optimization of immunotherapy in metastatic breast cancer.
The presentations will focus on patient stratification to determine the appropriate treatment intensity, from groups requiring treatment escalation to cases in which de-escalation may be considered based on disease characteristics and risk profile.
Accordingly, personalization involves not only drug selection, but also the sequence, duration and intensity of treatment tailored to each individual case.
AI helps enhance breast MRI analysis
In addition to changes in treatment, the conference will also dedicate part of its program to advances in breast cancer diagnosis.
Prof. Eun Seook Ko, MD, PhD from Samsung Medical Center will present on the application of AI in breast MRI, from shortening scan time to supporting image interpretation and analysis. The presentation will update AI capabilities in improving image quality, detecting and classifying lesions, and predicting treatment response.
The session will also analyze the value of AI, as well as key considerations when integrating AI into clinical practice in breast cancer diagnosis.
>> View detailed conference information: HERE
Conference attendance information
The conference “New Trends in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: Highlights from GBCC 2026” will take place from 08:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Conference Center, 4th Floor, Building 1 - Hong Ngoc Phuc Truong Minh General Hospital, No. 8 Chau Van Liem Street, Hanoi.
The program is designed for physicians and healthcare professionals interested in breast cancer, especially those working in oncology, surgery, diagnostic imaging, pathology, obstetrics and gynecology, and breast care.
Eligible participants will receive a Continuing Medical Education (CME) certificate equivalent to 3 credit hours.
[REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE] to directly update key highlights from GBCC 2026 and exchange with Vietnamese and South Korean experts on changes in clinical practice for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
