Moscow expands cancer diagnostics training with advanced self-healing biopsy simulators

RUSSIA—Moscow is strengthening its cancer care system by expanding specialist training programs focused on early and accurate cancer diagnosis.

As part of this effort, oncologists in the Russian capital have started training with next-generation ultrasound-guided biopsy simulators designed to replicate real clinical conditions while withstanding repeated use.

The initiative supports Moscow’s broader oncology modernization strategy, which combines investments in diagnostic technology, artificial intelligence, and clinician education to improve patient outcomes.

Advanced training for precision biopsy procedures

One of the key procedures included in the new program is ultrasound-guided trephine biopsy, also known as core needle biopsy.

The technique remains one of the most reliable methods for confirming whether suspicious lesions detected during imaging are malignant or benign.

Unlike mammography or ultrasound screening, which only identify abnormalities, a biopsy provides tissue samples for histopathological analysis.

Physicians must guide a biopsy needle precisely into the target lesion under ultrasound visualization.

Even a slight deviation can reduce sample quality and affect diagnostic accuracy.

To strengthen procedural skills, the Personnel Center of the Moscow Healthcare Department launched a specialized course titled “Ultrasound-Guided Breast Trephine Biopsy.”

The training combines theoretical instruction with intensive practical sessions that allow physicians to rehearse both standard and complex clinical scenarios.

According to Anastasia Kamasheva, Director of the Personnel Center, the course includes modules on patient preparation, biopsy planning, and safe sample collection techniques.

She explained that the program targets general oncologists, breast cancer specialists, and physicians working in outpatient oncology centers.

Self-Healing Phantoms Improve Clinical Simulation

A major feature of the training program is the use of realistic medical phantoms developed by Moscow’s Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine.

The models simulate cysts, solid tumors, and other breast lesions while reproducing ultrasound imaging characteristics similar to those seen in real patients.

Yuri Vasiliev, Chief Officer of Radiology at the Moscow Health Care Department and Medical Director of the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine, said the simulators were created using a “by doctors for doctors” approach to address real clinical needs.

He noted that the self-healing phantoms maintain their structure even after multiple punctures, unlike earlier models that deteriorated quickly during training.

The center currently has approximately 100 of the advanced simulators available for educational programs.

During the sessions, trainees practice every stage of the biopsy process, including lesion visualization, trajectory planning, needle insertion, and tissue sampling.

Repeated practice helps physicians improve confidence, precision, and interpretation of ultrasound images.

Earlier this year, Moscow scientists also introduced 14 new anatomical phantoms for medical training, including multilayer stomach and pulsating vascular simulators used for biopsy and surgical practice.

Moscow accelerates oncology and AI integration

The biopsy training initiative forms part of Moscow’s larger effort to modernize cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Recent reports from city authorities showed that early-stage cancer detection in Moscow increased from 62.3% in 2019 to 67.8% in 2025 following major investments in oncology infrastructure and digital healthcare systems.

In parallel, Moscow continues to expand the use of artificial intelligence in radiology and diagnostics.

The city now uses more than 60 AI services across 43 clinical areas to assist physicians in detecting abnormalities and accelerating image analysis.

The Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine recently reported that upgraded radiology reporting systems reduced chest X-ray reporting times by 23%, helping clinicians manage rising patient volumes more efficiently.

Moscow has also significantly increased its diagnostic imaging capacity over the past six years, adding mammography, MRI, CT, and X-ray equipment across public healthcare facilities to meet growing screening and oncology demands.

Several dozen specialists have already completed the ultrasound-guided biopsy training program, and Moscow healthcare authorities plan to train more than 300 oncologists as part of the ongoing expansion of the city’s cancer care network.