2016年8月8日星期一

A center for treating tumors & prolonging lives

Cancer is probably the most dreaded disease anyone can have. When I received my invitation to the blessing of the new wing of The Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, China, I didn’t think twice about going and seeing for myself what the hospital has to offer particularly for cancer patients. Together with media friends, I boarded a direct flight from Manila to Guangzhou which took two hours and 25 minutes. We arrived in Guangzhou, China late in the evening. The following day, we were welcomed by Manila-based Fuda volunteer Edward Puno and his gracious wife Cindy who took us for a tour around the new wing of the Fuda Cancer Hospital. Upon entering the hospital premises, we were all so impressed with the hospital facilities. We were informed that the Fuda Cancer Hospital had dedicated a whole floor to their Filipino patients. Each room is complete with all the amenities, including a flat screen TV which has an ABS-CBN channel. “This it to make every Filipino patient at Fuda Hospital and their respective families feel at home,” explains Puno. 



I was expecting a gloomy hospital atmosphere but was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a cheerful ambiance which was provided mainly by the elegant interiors and the ever-smiling staff, which is a big plus especially for patients who have nothing to smile about. There was no language barrier problem since the hospital made sure there were coordinators from different countries to specifically attend to the needs of their foreign patients and their families.




Because of the hospital’s high standards, we immediately inquired about the costs of treatments and hospital stay. We were told that regardless of what room patients and their families choose (there are VIP rooms which have a living room, kitchen, and extra bedroom; suite rooms; standard rooms; and rooms for four patients), the total hospital cost remains the same. Once the patient arrives, a proposed treatment plan is given to the patient or a family member. Expect no surprise or additional charges as Fuda doctors do not charge professional fees, which makes the treatment very reasonable and worth every cent.



A money changer, restaurant and coffee shop are conveniently located inside the hospital premises.              

At the helm of this state-of-the-art hospital is chief executive/president Dr. Kecheng Xu, a world-renowned specialist in oncology, gastroenterology, and hepatology. After graduation from Nanton Medical College in 1963, he had his post graduate studies at Fudan University. He was a visiting professor on hepatology and oncology at Chiba University, Japan and took further studies at the Reiter State University, Tulane University, and Johns Hopkins University in the United States. He is the incoming vice president of the International Society of Cryosurgery.

Boasting a very competent team of doctors, Fuda Cancer Hospital has for the last 10 years successfully treated thousands of domestic and international patients. It is the first hospital in China to successfully perform cryosurgery with over 8,000 cases, more than what any other hospital in the world has done. 


Dr. Franco Lugnani, president of the International Society of Cryosurgery based in Italy, has singled out Fuda Cancer Hospital to be the cryotherapy center in the Asia Pacific region for the hospital’s excellent work.

 “Cryosurgery can be done for any part of the body, from head to toe,” says Dr. Lizhi Niu, deputy chief executive of Fuda Cancer Hospital.

Performed mostly under local anesthesia, cryosurgery can be used to treat tumors that could not be removed for early or end-stage cancer. A cryosurgical (CSA) probe is inserted into the tumor and a refrigerant is passed through the probe; the temperature is raised to thaw the frozen tumor. This process is repeated two or three times to complete ablation and thawing of the whole tumor. CSA can be carried out with the help of surgery, endoscope, ultrasound or CT- guided. Percutaneous cryosurgical ablation is a minimally invasive technique with little side effects. It will not cause pain, instead it can stop pain rapidly. CSA is suitable for cancer patients with unresectable tumors or patients that cannot tolerate surgery.

“For those who are beyond surgery or other treatments, cryosurgery aims to extend survival,” he adds.

Dr. Xu explains, “After they have been treated in our hospital, more than 70 percent of these patients experience significant improvement and their survival time has been prolonged, not by months but rather by years. Many patients, including those with liver cancer and lung cancer, have lived for more than five years, with the longest survival time of nine years. Some pancreatic cancer (the “king of cancer”) patients even lived for an additional 55 months.” 

Once a cancer patient comes in, an honest assessment is given as to whether or not the patient can be treated and what he/she can expect. Dr. Mu Feng, president of North District Fuda Hospital, also adds that a routine checkup, particularly a PET CT scan, by a skilled and competent doctor is important.

As there are various approaches to treating cancer, there are also various hospitals in China doing cryosurgery. Thus, one must do an extensive research on which treatment and which hospital can best cater to our sick loved one’s needs. In this age of modern technology, cancer patients, through early detection, do have the chance to survive or, at the very least, extend their lives. The decision is theirs to make.



2016年7月27日星期三

Nanoknife Therapy Helped Indian Pancreatic Cancer Professor Survive.

--Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital Succeed again in Treating Pancreatic Cancer with NanoKnife Therapy

Recently, Prof. Pratibha, a pancreatic cancer patient from India, told the reporter with great excitement, “NanoKnife therapy made me able to walk normally again” after she underwent NanoKnife therapy on pancreatic cancer at Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital.   

Several months ago, Prof. Pratibha was undergoing a life or death test. Back then, she looked totally different from the way she is now as she looks like a noble woman who is dignified, talkative, beautiful and smart now.




A photo of Prof. Pratibha Rajgopal (R 3), her family member and medical workers

Prof. Pratibha was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two months ago at local hospital due to discomfort in abdomen. Doctor told her family member that the chance of treatment was very low. The best chance would be about 10%. Prof. Pratibha was desperate to hear the news. She underwent one cycle of chemotherapy in local hospital, the side effects of which made her suffer a lot.

Her son, who is working in America, searched for the most renowned cancer hospital in the world online, hoping that his mother could be treated. After searching on the internet for a while, he located Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital in China. Compared with other international cancer hospitals, he believed that the argon-helium cryosurgery, iodine seeds implantation therapy and NanoKnife therapy that FUDA has can deliver good curative effects for pancreatic cancer patients. Among all the therapies, the latest treatment NanoKnife therapy that FUDA has introduced delivers remarkable curative effects for pancreatic cancer, which has become widely recognized in the world. Moreover, the concept of coexisting with cancer proposed by Professor Xu Kecheng coincides with his view of cancer.

Prof. Pratibha was admitted into Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital in the company of her sister and the other son on August 26, 2015. The medial team led by President NIu Lizhi arranged a series examinations for her on August 27. Diagnosis upon admission was Stage III T4N0M0 pancreatic cancer, II type diabetes and hypertension.

The patient together with her family members unanimously requested to receive NanoKnife therapy. In order to choose the best treatment for her, President Niu Lizhi and other experts, after discussion, decided to give her NanoKnife therapy combined with “3C+P” treatment mode. On August 28, she was given combined immunotherapy for cancer (CIC)--one therapy in the “3C+P” treatment mode--in order to improve her immunity. 

After her condition became stable, Chief President Xu Kecheng, President Niu Lizhi and other experts had a penal discussion about her further treatment, after which they decided to give her NanoKnife therapy. On August 31, the medical team led by Niu Lizhi performed NanoKnife therapy on pancreatic cancer for her. The procedure went smoothly and the patient’s postoperative recovery was great. On September 12, Prof. Pratibha was discharged and went back to India.

Prof. Pratibha said, “coming to Fuda Cancer Hospital for treatment is the best decision that i have ever made in my life and has also given me the opportunity to better know about Chinese doctors, especially such excellent medical experts as Chief President Xu Kecheng and President Niu Lizhi. Under their leadership, medical workers at Fuda have developed a harmonious relationship with patients. During my hospitalization, i am deeply touched by the comprehensive treatment i have received and also the careful nursing delivered by nurses. Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital has proven itself to be an international specialized cancer hospital.”

Three months ago, Fuda Cancer Hospital became the first to have introduced NanoKnife therapy (Irreversible Electroporation) in Mainland of China. Medical workers at Fuda have successfully performed NanoKnife therapy for over 40 pancreatic cancer and liver cancer patients, after which the curative effect was remarkable.

2016年6月27日星期一

Breast Preserving Treament Of The Breast Cancer Patients

This is a story about breast preserving treatment of the breast cancer patients sisters Mota and Mata who come from America.
As we all know, when we have the breast cancer, our first thougth is how to preserve our breast without receive radical mastectomy, but most of them have to give up their breast to make themselves alive, It is most terrible thing for a woman. Neverthless, some breast cancer can be cured by the treatment,  which can protect and preserve your boob.
The treatment they had received from Fuda cancer hospital
The story of  Mota and Mata.
In 2009, a pair of sisters from America came to Fuda Cancer Hospital. They were diagnosed with breast cancer almost at the same time and both requested to receive breast-conserving treatment. They came to FUDA and received percutaneous cryoablation, which has achieved good treatment results. Later they came to our hospital for checkups. In 2013, doctors from FUDA paid them a follow-up visit in New York, America. They have been leading a happy life.
          President Xu Kecheng  and American breast cancer sisters

Treatment experience

Researches on follow-up visits to patients by several cancer centers showed that there is no obvious difference in total survival rate between patients received radical mastectomy, breast tumor resection and patients received breast tumor resection together with radiotherapy. Given this, doctors tend to adopt conservative methods in treating breast cancer. Cryoablation is most suitable to the following cases:patients with small and isolated invasive breast cancer; patient whose tumor is smaller than 15 mm with low density and clear dividing line on a mammogram and a visible posterior wall at ultrasonography; patients with small breast tumor which is unsuitable to or intolerant of surgery or chemotherapy.

As initial treatment to small breast cancer, cryoablation has advantages as follows: 

1. The curative effect of cryoablation can be compared with that of tumor resection;

2. Patient is tolerant of cryoablation, which inflicts no pain and requires no anesthesia (or just local anesthesia ); 

3. The procedure is simple, which can be compared to CT-guided biospsy; 

4. It leaves no scar and preserves the integrity of breast appearance. It doesn’t hurt skin even if tumor is close to it;

5. It is evidenced that cryoablation can induce anti-tumor immune reaction, which is evidently beneficial to the prevention of tumor recurrence. 

Cryoablation is becoming an important way for breast cancer treatment. With regard to early stage small breast tumor, percutaneous cryoablation can achieve similar curative effect as tumor resection. As a minimally invasive treatment, cryoablation does not affect breast appearance, which is superior to the latter.
 
The reason why the pair of sisters came all the way to Fuda Cancer Hospital was that they wanted to receive cryoablation. They also achieved ideal curative effectat FUDA.







2016年5月23日星期一

Letting go and never giving up are both ways to say I love you


By Dr. Xu Kecheng,Chief President of Fuda Cancer Hospital 

Recently, I read an online article titled “letting go is also one way to say I love you”, written by a professor of surgery at a cancer hospital in Beijing. The article is focused on the topic of whether doctors should persuade patient out of treatment when there is no treatment available. The article tells about the story of how the professor of surgery encountered a patient’s father. The patient is a 16-year-old girl who was suffering from advanced colon cancer with liver metastases. The parents have sold off all their valuables to raise money for their daughter’s treatment. The professor found himself to be in a dilemma as the patient only has a couple of month to live even if she underwent operation and hence the couple might lose both their daughter and the money. The professor had a candid communication with the father and in the end he persuaded the father to “bringing his daughter back home...”

The professor believed that letting go is also one way to say love to advanced cancer patients who have undergone untold suffering from sickness.

I don’t know the real situation of the girl so that I’m not poised to make any comment. Cancer is a type of heterogeneous disease as the same type of cancer might have different characteristics and therapeutic effects on different patients. It’s not at all unusual for an advanced cancer patient to survive several years or even longer after undergoing comprehensive treatments. I understand what the professor was thinking about. It must be very difficult and painful for the doctor to give up treatment on such a patient.

Medicine is a combination of science, technology and craftsmanship. As patients are very different from each other in thoughts and backgrounds, doctors should take into consideration not only the feasibility and limitations of treatment but also the patient’s (including his/her relatives’) expectations, mental status and financial status.

About one month ago, I was confronted with a test of whether I should persuade the parents to bringing their daughter back home. The patient, 8 years old, is called Airin from Ipoh, Malaysia.

On March 28, Dr. Mu Feng, Vice President of FUDA, took me to visit Airin at room 319. Airin was hairless (caused by chemotherapy) with a pale face. Her intercostal space was deeply pitting and her abdomen was like a small boat. The right leg was as thin as a deadwood with the circumference standing at 5.5cm while the left leg wrapped by gauze was as thick as a bucket with the circumference of the oval tumor standing at 61.5cm. The superficial skin was in dark purple with part of the skin ulcerated. The CT scan showed a giant tumor in left shank. Pathological result from Malaysian Hospital showed malignant spindle cell tumor. My suggestion was that Airin should have a CT and MRI reexamination to check the structure of blood vessels and have her general nutrition status improved.


Before surgery, the tumor in left shank of Airin was shocking 
Two days after her admission, we held the first round of consultation for Airin. On the consultation, different people put forward different views. Some doctors suggested amputation with their reasons listing as follows: (1) As the patient was at a state of systemic failure, called dyscrasia in medicine, the patient could not be able to tolerate tumor resection; (2) The tumor, being malignant in nature, has grown for two years and has been growing very fast in the recent few months. It is invading and compressing inward the blood vessels and is breaking the skin. It is almost impossible to remove the tumor; (3) The blood vessels and nerves of the left shank might have been invaded. It is of no significance to remove the tumor if the left lower limb is dysfunctional after the surgery; (4) The patient had been hospitalized at several hospitals in Malaysia and Guangzhou, the doctors from which all believed that the only way out is amputation.

Others suggested that the tumor should be removed so as to preserve the left lower limb. Their reasons are as follows: (1) The CT/ MRI showed the tumor is relatively well defined; (2) Children’s tissue grows strongly. As long as part of blood vessels and nerves are preserved, patient will have a fast postoperative recovery; (3) The tumor grows on the left shank. As long as tourniquet is applied at the lower segment of thigh during the surgery, no massive haemorrhage will be caused; (4) We have completed several cases of resecting tumor while preserving the limb.

Several hours later, the patient’s condition worsened with high fever, increased heart rate, low blood potassium which stands at 2.5 mEq/L. White blood cell stood at 19000. Neutrophilic cell stood at 86%. CT scan showed pericardial effusion and diffused inflammation in lungs. The patient was transferred to the ICU.

A second round of consultation was held to analyze the reasons behind her worsened condition. Firstly, it might be caused by worsened infection, pulmonary infection in particular; secondly, tumor necrosis leads to large amount of toxicity being absorbed and further causes systemic sera. The two conditions are both fatal. At that moment, the problem was not whether the operation could be performed or not but how to save the child’s life. In general conditions, to rescue the child was almost challenging the impossible.

Such a difficult choice it was. There was no ground for blame even if doctors ask the parents to bring their daughter back home. Even if there was any accident happened on passage, it will be understood as natural degradation. We shoulder no responsibility whatever happens to the girl. However, the hospital’s reputation might be jeopardized if there is any accident happened during the surgery, even if a simple amputation.

The parents understood the misgivings of doctors. Airin’s father said, Airin was able to think like an adult. She never smiled ever since the doctor told them the only way out was amputation. She also said, she would like to go back home if she had to undergo amputation. He asked the doctors to rest assured, saying that they have prepared for the worst. That was to bring their daughter back home. Her parents burst out of tears when they said this to me.

I was so anxious about what decisions we should make: letting go or never giving up. As the president of FUDA, I required the medical team to change another way of thinking and change the impossible become the possible.

At 12:30, April 1, after nearly 20 hours preoperative operation, the operation started. After 5 hours’ operation, the tumor was completely removed. The tumor was 32 in length, 29 cm in width, 17 cm in thickness and 3.9 kg in weight.

Half a month later, Airin was discharged with her hand holding flowers presented by doctors and nurses. On April 27, Dr. Mu Feng, who was the first doctor to have received Airin, and I made a special trip to Penang, Malaysia. We were amazed to find that Airin, with the companion of her parents, had been waiting for us at the VIP access in the airport. We were even more pleased to see that Airin was able to stand for a while. In the morning of April 30, hundreds of people gathered at Airin’s house in Ipoh to celebrate her rebirth. With the scarf on her head, Airin nestled into my arms and said with a smile, “Grandpa, thank you! I love you!”

I'm gratified and tears welled up in my eyes. It is from never giving up that love is originated.

President Xu and the party paid visits to patients in Malaysia. Airin’s family went all the way to the airport to greet the party. Around 20 days after the surgery, Airin was able to stand for a while.

 Airin nestled into President Xu's arms and said with a smile, “Grandpa, thank you! I love you!”