Dr. Rasa Bernotienė

Dr. Rasa Bernotienė is a medical oncologist at the National Cancer Institute Lithuania (NCI) in Vilnius, Lithuania's dedicated cancer research and treatment center and the country's primary oncology referral institution. With 16 years of clinical experience, she has developed expertise in breast and colorectal oncology and immunotherapy.

She completed an advanced oncology fellowship at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) in Amsterdam — one of Europe's foremost dedicated cancer centers. Her Dutch training gave her deep expertise in molecular oncology, HER2-targeted therapy, and the clinical trial environment at a world-class cancer institution.

Returning to Vilnius, Dr. Bernotienė became a key figure in the NCI's clinical trial program, enrolling Lithuanian patients in international oncology studies and providing access to investigational therapies. She is an ESMO member and participates in Baltic and European oncology research networks.

She is known for her evidence-based approach, her integration of molecular profiling into treatment planning, and her clear communication with patients about the rationale behind complex oncology treatment decisions.

Dr. Bernotienė received her MD from Vilnius University Faculty of Medicine in 2005. She completed her oncology residency at the National Cancer Institute Lithuania and undertook an advanced oncology fellowship at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI), Amsterdam, Netherlands (2010–2012). Her PhD from Vilnius University in 2014 focused on molecular predictors of response to chemotherapy in breast cancer. She is an ESMO member and is certified by the Lithuanian Medical Association in clinical oncology.

Dr. Bernotienė's primary clinical focus is breast and colorectal oncology. She designs and administers chemotherapy, HER2-targeted therapy, CDK4/6 inhibitors, VEGF inhibitors for colorectal cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors for eligible patients. She integrates NGS molecular profiling and MSI/PD-L1 testing into treatment decisions. She participates in multidisciplinary tumor board reviews and manages clinical trial patients. She also treats lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and lymphoma within the NCI multidisciplinary framework.

Dr. Bernotienė has published over 18 peer-reviewed articles in journals including the European Journal of Cancer, Breast Cancer Research, and Annals of Oncology. Her research focuses on breast cancer molecular subtype distribution and outcomes in the Lithuanian population, colorectal cancer immunotherapy response predictors including MSI and TMB status, and clinical trial participation rates in Baltic cancer populations. She collaborates with oncologists at the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) in Amsterdam and participates in Baltic and Nordic oncology research consortia, contributing Lithuanian population data to European cancer registry studies.

Dr. Bernotienė speaks Lithuanian, Russian, and English and is experienced in providing oncology second opinions and treatment plans to international patients. The National Cancer Institute Lithuania provides English and Russian-language consultation reports through its international patient service and assists with appointment coordination and medical documentation.

Video consultations are available for second opinions on breast and colorectal cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, and immunotherapy eligibility assessment, enabling patients from across Europe to share pathology, molecular profiling reports, and imaging for review. Lithuania's EU membership ensures access to all EMA-approved cancer therapies at Baltic pricing levels substantially lower than Western European equivalents. Vilnius International Airport is served by direct flights from London, Amsterdam, Berlin, and other major European cities.

Dr. Bernotienė received the Lithuanian Society of Oncology Young Investigator Award in 2015, recognizing her early-career contributions to breast cancer molecular subtype research and immunotherapy outcomes science. She was formally recognized by the National Cancer Institute Lithuania for her leadership in building the institution's clinical trial program — one of the most active cancer research programs in the Baltic states.

She has received multiple ESMO recognition awards for her engagement in Baltic oncology education and clinical trial capacity development. She is a faculty member at the Lithuanian Society of Oncology's annual CME conference and serves on the NCI's clinical guidelines committee for breast and colorectal cancer. She holds active ESMO membership and participates in ESMO faculty development programs.