Dr. Volha Karpava

Dr. Volha Karpava is a medical oncologist at the N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Centre of Belarus in Minsk, the country's principal oncology institution for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. With 17 years of clinical experience, she has developed expertise in breast cancer management and targeted therapy.

The Alexandrov National Cancer Centre is one of the largest oncology centers in the CIS region, providing comprehensive cancer care including surgery, radiation, and medical oncology. Dr. Karpava is a key member of the breast oncology team, participating in multidisciplinary tumor board meetings and clinical research.

She completed advanced oncology training at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology in Moscow and subsequently undertook ESMO-affiliated continuing education programs. She is committed to implementing international evidence-based oncology guidelines in Belarusian clinical practice.

Dr. Karpava is known for her compassionate approach to patients facing cancer diagnoses and for her dedication to ensuring patients receive clear, understandable information about their treatment options.

Dr. Karpava graduated from the Belarusian State Medical University in Minsk in 2004. She completed her internal medicine and oncology residency at the N.N. Alexandrov National Cancer Centre and undertook advanced oncology training at the N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology, Moscow (2009–2010). Her PhD from the Belarusian State Medical University in 2012 focused on neoadjuvant chemotherapy outcomes in locally advanced breast cancer. She is an ESMO member and is certified by the Ministry of Health of Belarus in clinical oncology.

Dr. Karpava's primary clinical focus is breast oncology across all stages and molecular subtypes. For hormone receptor-positive disease, she prescribes CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib), aromatase inhibitors, and fulvestrant according to disease stage and menopausal status. For HER2-positive breast cancer, she prescribes trastuzumab, pertuzumab, T-DM1, and T-DXd. For triple-negative breast cancer, she manages platinum-based chemotherapy regimens and immunotherapy in eligible patients. She designs both neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens to optimize surgical resection and adjuvant regimens to reduce recurrence risk.

She also manages ovarian cancer with platinum-based and PARP inhibitor regimens, colorectal cancer with FOLFOX/FOLFIRI and targeted biologics, lung cancer with appropriate targeted agents and immunotherapy, and lymphoma with CHOP/R-CHOP regimens. She participates in multidisciplinary tumor board reviews and integrates molecular pathology results into individualized treatment decisions.

Dr. Karpava has published over 15 peer-reviewed articles in Belarusian and Russian oncology journals and has contributed to international ESMO-affiliated publications. Her research focuses on neoadjuvant chemotherapy response predictors, HER2-targeted therapy outcomes, and breast cancer epidemiology in Belarus. She collaborates with oncology centers in Russia and participates in CIS oncology research programs.

Dr. Karpava speaks Belarusian, Russian, and English and sees international patients from neighboring countries and the broader CIS region seeking oncological assessment and treatment at the Alexandrov National Cancer Centre. The centre has established experience coordinating care for international patients from Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, and beyond.

Video consultations are available for oncology second opinions, treatment plan review, and discussion of molecular testing results for international patients who wish to evaluate Minsk as a treatment destination. Belarus offers comprehensive oncology treatment — including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy — at highly competitive costs compared to private cancer centres in Poland, Germany, or Western Europe. For patients who can travel to Minsk, the Alexandrov National Cancer Centre represents one of the CIS region's most experienced oncology institutions.

Dr. Karpava received the Belarusian Society of Oncology Young Investigator Award in 2013, recognizing her outstanding early career contributions to oncology research and practice. She was subsequently recognized by the Alexandrov National Cancer Centre for her central role in the breast cancer multidisciplinary team program and for her exceptional commitment to patient-centered oncology care — making complex treatment options comprehensible and accessible to patients facing a cancer diagnosis.

She is an ESMO member and participates in ESMO continuing education activities to remain current with rapidly evolving precision oncology. She contributes to resident oncology training at the Alexandrov National Cancer Centre and to the Belarusian Society of Oncology's continuing medical education initiatives.