Dr. Cristina Popescu

Dr. Cristina Popescu is a medical oncologist at the Oncology Institute Professor Dr. Alexandru Trestioreanu in Bucharest, Romania's largest dedicated oncology center. With 17 years of clinical practice, she has developed particular expertise in the treatment of gynecological cancers including cervical, ovarian, and endometrial malignancies.

She completed a fellowship in gynecological oncology at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France, one of Europe's top cancer research centers. This training gave her direct exposure to clinical trial protocols and the latest targeted therapy approaches for difficult-to-treat gynecological cancers.

Dr. Popescu returned to Romania where she established the gynecological oncology unit at her institute, introducing molecular tumor board review for all complex cases. She is a passionate advocate for BRCA genetic testing and has contributed to expanding genetic counseling access in Romania.

She is known for her compassionate approach to oncology care, ensuring patients receive not only the best available treatment but also strong psychological and social support throughout their cancer journey.

Dr. Popescu obtained her MD from Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest in 2004. She completed her oncology residency at the Oncology Institute in Bucharest and undertook a gynecological oncology fellowship at the Institut Gustave Roussy in Villejuif, France (2009–2011). Her PhD from Carol Davila University in 2013 focused on molecular subtypes of high-grade ovarian cancer and response to platinum-based chemotherapy. She is an ESMO member and is certified by the Romanian College of Physicians in medical oncology.

Dr. Popescu's primary clinical focus is gynecological oncology, with expertise in cervical, ovarian, endometrial, and vulvar cancers. She designs chemotherapy regimens and targeted therapy protocols including PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer, bevacizumab for cervical and ovarian cancer, and immune checkpoint inhibitors for endometrial cancer. She integrates molecular tumor board input into treatment decisions and coordinates multidisciplinary care with gynecologic surgeons and radiation oncologists. She also treats breast cancer and colorectal cancer and is experienced in managing oncological emergencies and treatment toxicities.

Dr. Popescu has published over 25 peer-reviewed articles in journals including the Annals of Oncology and Gynecologic Oncology. Her research focuses on PARP inhibitor outcomes in BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer, biomarkers predicting response to immunotherapy in endometrial cancer, and expanding genetic testing access in Eastern Europe. She collaborates with oncology centers in France and presents at ESMO and ESGO (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology) congresses.

Dr. Popescu speaks Romanian, French, and English and is experienced in providing oncology second opinions and treatment to international patients. The Oncology Institute has an international patient coordination service and can provide treatment summaries and reports in French and English. Video consultations for second opinions are available. Romania's oncology centers offer access to all EMA-approved cancer therapies at competitive costs compared to Western Europe.

Dr. Popescu received the Romanian Society of Medical Oncology Young Investigator Award in 2014. She was recognized by ESMO for her contributions to genomic medicine development in Romania. The Oncology Institute awarded her the Clinical Excellence Prize in 2022 for her leadership in establishing gynecological oncology multidisciplinary tumor board meetings as a standard of care.