# Advancements in Italian oncology and radiotherapy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-italian-oncology-and-radiotherapy
> Updated: 2026-09-08T12:15:32.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2.

Italian medical institutions and researchers continue to advance oncology through specialized training and international scientific leadership.

To support genomic cancer profiling for approximately 15,000 eligible patients annually, the University of Milan is launching the second edition of a Level II University Master in ‘Molecular Pathology and Molecular Tumor Board’. This initiative, involving the National Cancer Institute, IEO, Niguarda Cancer Center, and the Lombardy Region, aims to train professionals to translate molecular data into clinical decisions. Such multidisciplinary teams have been shown to improve disease control time, particularly for patients with advanced illness.

In the field of breast cancer, reports indicate that over 30,000 genomic tests have been prescribed in Italy for early-stage cases since 2020. However, a gap in coverage persists; in 2025, only 9,800 genomic tests were performed for early-stage HR+/HER2- breast cancer, compared to an estimated 13,000 eligible patients. Experts from AIOM and Europa Donna Italia emphasize the need for increased funding and the integration of these tests into the Essential Levels of Care (LEA) to ensure nationwide availability and reduce regional disparities. These tests are critical for predicting recurrence risks and could potentially reduce chemotherapy use by 48% in specific cases.

Concurrently, Italian researchers are maintaining global recognition in radiotherapy. Professor Stefano Arcangeli has been ranked first globally for scientific publications regarding hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer, leading with 32 publications and 1,200 citations. His research focuses on techniques that reduce treatment sessions while maintaining precision. Additionally, Giampaolo Montesi of San Salvatore Hospital has participated in an international consensus group to establish new clinical standards and guidelines for image-guided radiotherapy for upper gastrointestinal tumors, including pancreatic and hepatic treatments.

## Claims

- Approximately 15,000 cancer patients in Italy are eligible for extended genomic profiling annually. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The second edition of a University Master's program in Molecular Pathology and Molecular Tumor Board is being launched in Italy. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-08: Italian medical researchers achieve global recognition in oncology

Italian researchers and hospitals are gaining international prominence for breakthroughs in prostate cancer radiotherapy and new clinical standards for gastrointestinal tumor treatments.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-medical-researchers-achieve-global-recognition-in-oncology

### 2026-09-08: Italy expands genomic profiling and specialized training for cancer patients

Italy faces a gap in genomic testing for cancer patients. While 15,000 patients qualify for molecular profiling annually, breast cancer testing remains below target, prompting calls for better funding and LEA.

18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-launches-specialized-training-for-genomic-cancer-profiling

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Cite as: Advancements in Italian oncology and radiotherapy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/advancements-in-italian-oncology-and-radiotherapy