The 23rd Annual International Conference, RGCON 2025, organized by the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), placed a spotlight on the urgent need for preventive strategies and groundbreaking treatments to combat the rising burden of gynecological cancers. Held under the theme “Gynecological Cancers: Innovating, Integrating, and Upgrading,” the conference brought together over 1,200 medical experts, faculty members, and delegates from across the globe to deliberate on the latest advancements in cancer care.

In his address, RGCIRC Chairman Rakesh Chopra underlined the growing crisis posed by gynecological cancers, which account for 19% of global female cancers. India, he noted, is grappling with alarming numbers, with cervical cancer alone causing 77,000 deaths annually. Ovarian cancer, often diagnosed late, has a survival rate of less than 50%. Stressing that most gynecological cancers are preventable through HPV vaccination and early screening, Chopra warned of a projected 55% increase in cases by 2040. He called for closing the gaps in awareness and healthcare access, highlighting RGCIRC’s leading role in managing 7,450 gynecologic cancer cases and performing 650 surgeries every year.

RGCIRC CEO D.S. Negi emphasized the institute’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies in diagnosis and treatment. “Our strength lies in adopting advanced systems like the Da Vinci Robot and Cyber-Knife to deliver world-class cancer care,” he said. Negi added that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is poised to revolutionize cancer management, and RGCIRC is actively developing plans to incorporate AI to enhance patient care and clinical outcomes.

Adding to the international stature of the event, the conference welcomed Dr. Denis Querleu, Honorary Professor of Oncology at the University of Toulouse, France, as the Chief Guest. He lauded RGCIRC’s contributions to cancer care and its pivotal role in advancing global oncology research.

Also present as Guest of Honor was Professor G.K. Rath, former Director of the National Cancer Institute and former Head of Radiation Oncology at AIIMS, Delhi. Prof. Rath highlighted India’s unique advantage in studying the epidemiology of preventable cancers, such as cervical cancer, and emphasized the country’s potential to offer valuable insights into cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.

Dr. Sudhir Rawal, Medical Director and Chief of Genito-Uro Oncology Services at RGCIRC, described RGCON 2025 as a transformative platform, revolutionizing gynecological cancer care through research, innovation, and global collaboration. He attributed this progress to the collective dedication of the institute’s faculty and team.

Recalling RGCIRC’s pioneering journey, Dr. A.K. Dewan, Director of Surgical Oncology and one of the founding pillars of the institute, shared insights into the development of surgical oncology sub-specialties. He highlighted the adoption of robotic surgery as a milestone moment for the institute, crediting swift governance decisions that enabled early acquisition of the Da Vinci robotic system.

Dr. Vandana Jain, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at RGCIRC and Organising Secretary of RGCON 2025, expressed gratitude to the international medical community for its participation. “This conference stands as a symbol of unity, innovation, and shared purpose. It reminds us to push boundaries and strive for excellence in patient care,” she said. Her leadership was instrumental in orchestrating the landmark event that set new benchmarks for oncology conferences.

A highlight of RGCON 2025 was the live surgical workshop, where expert surgeons from RGCIRC and renowned global specialists demonstrated cutting-edge procedures in gynecologic oncology. These included robotic and open nerve-sparing radical hysterectomies for cervical cancer, robotic peritoneal mesometrial resection with targeted lymphadenectomy, and the use of India’s indigenous MANTRA robotic system for radical hysterectomy. Additionally, robot-assisted video endoscopic inguinal lymphadenectomy for vulvar cancer showcased the institute’s commitment to patient-centric, minimally invasive surgical solutions.

Through these technical demonstrations and collaborative discussions, RGCON 2025 not only reinforced RGCIRC’s global leadership in gynecologic cancer care but also set the stage for future innovations aimed at saving lives and improving outcomes for women worldwide.