An automatic hematology analyzer put into operation at the Cancer Institute will allow doctors to correctly diagnose forms of malignant hemopathy and apply effective treatment.
 
During an event held to present the new flow cytometer, resident doctor Larisa Țurcan explained that the equipment allows detecting a fairly large amount of fluorescently labeled antibodies. “If we can classify them, we will be able to treat them more specifically. This is our goal – to promote targeted, personalized medicine. It is especially beneficial in the case of leukemia, particularly in the case of children”, said the doctor.

Dr. Ruslan Baltaga, director of the Cancer Institute, announced that a flow cytometry diagnostic service was launched, an indispensable test that raises to a higher technological level the diagnosis of hemopathies in children in particular. Such tests were not available before. This project was possible within the 2016-2025 National Cancer Control Program. Over 3.5 million lei was allocated for the purchase of equipment and supplies.

Dr. Baltaga emphasized that there are three screening programs for the early detection of cancer. The most frequently diagnosed early is breast cancer. There are three mobile and two stationary mammography machines at the Cancer Institute in Chisinau and at the Clinical Hospital in Balti. Other screening programs relate to cervical and colorectal cancer. “Cancer is a serious disease, but it can be fought”, said Dr. Baltaga.

In Moldova, leukemia is the leading form of cancer among children. In 2022, 78 children were diagnosed with cancer, of whom 44 with hemoblastosis and 34 with solid tumors. There are 456 children with tumors under the supervision of doctors at the Cancer Institute.