Most of us are aware how serious cancer is and any family who will be given the news of a member having this condition will feel devastated or lost. However, hearing about the news for the first time is not the end of the road, as most families who are dealing with cancer, may already know. A second opinion is always a must.
Just last week, we had an opportunity to meet the Vice President of Fuda Cancer Hospital, Doctor Mu Feng, to talk about Fuda, the different types of cancer treatments they provide and how cancer patients can seek treatments through their satellite office here in Manila. It was an engaging discussion as Doctor Mu Feng allowed us to ask him some questions that we moms have always wanted to know about. It was an interesting lunch as we learned so much as we ate our delicious lunch in Hap Chan.
- What is the risk of having cancer when your parents had it? – Only 17%. It’s still the lifestyle that matters why persons develop cancer.
- What food should we eat or not eat if we want to avoid cancer? – Avoid food that is cooked on fire (example bbq, fried) because any food that has touched fire or heated can produce carcinogens.
- How can women avoid cancer? – For breast cancer, learn how to check breast for lumps regularly. And if you detect something, always have it checked at once by your doctor.
- Is the vaccine for cervical cancer recommended? – Yes. The younger you get the vaccine, the better.
- Doctor Mu Feng, what do you eat to make yourself healthy and cancer free? – I eat all kinds of food. The important thing is to eat a balanced diet and exercise. Cancer patients most specially though are encouraged to eat more to help them sustain themselves.
- Are there more cancer patients in the Philippines than in other countries in Asia? – No. There are cancer patients all over Asia and so we have satellite offices in other countries as well.
- Why do the cancer patients have to travel to China to be treated? – Because the technology, facilities and the specialists are all there. That is why we travel all the way from China to the Philippines regularly for those patients who need second opinion and help them secure visa to go and be treated in Fuda Cancer Hospital in China.
- What are the chances of cancer patients in Fuda Cancer Hospital? – It depends on the severity of the cancer. The earlier it is diagnosed and treated, the higher the chances. Though there are still cancer patients in later stage that are also being helped through the new technologies that Fuda Cancer Hospital can provide.
Watch the video of our interview with Doctor Mu Feng as we talked about Fuda Cancer Hospital and the medical services it can provide :
Brachytherapy or Seed implantation with iodine-125 or palladium-103 seeds. According to images offered by CT or MRI, and using computational optimization techniques, a three- dimensional conformal treatment plan is made for making the correct dose calculation that is necessary for killing cancer cells. Then, the number and location of seeds implanted is calculated. Seed implantation is often performed percutaneous (through the skin) under guidance of ultrasound or CT, as well as direct-visual guidance during operation.
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HOW IS AN IMPLANT PERFORMED?
Before an implantation, an ultrasound volume study is done to see the size and location of the cancerous mass as well as the surrounding organs. During the pre-planning stage, a predetermination is made of how many seeds a patient will need and exactly where they should be placed; these details are based on the size and shape of the cancerous mass. At the beginning of the implantation, the patient will be given local anesthesia. To guide the precise placement of the seeds, an ultrasound probe is placed on the cancerous mass to obtain an image of the mass. Usually 20 to 100 seeds are placed inside needles that are inserted into the masses. The ultrasound probe ensures that the needles are guided with maximum accuracy based on the plan.
SIDE EFFECTS
There are little discomfort after the implantation. This symptom usually goes away in a few days. Somemen with prostate cancer may experience discomfort while urinating, or the need to urinate more frequently. These symptoms usually begin 1 to 2 weeks after implantation and gradually decrease over time as the seeds lose their strength. Drinking lots of fluids and avoiding caffeine and alcohol may help relieve these symptoms. A small percentage of men, particularly those who have had previous prostate surgery, may experience incontinence. Impotence may also occur in some men, particularly those over the age of 70. However, the rates of impotence and incontinence are lower with iodine-125 seeds than with other treatments.
SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AFTER THE IMPLANTATION
Although seeds contain radioactive material, the patient is not radioactive. One of the benefits of seeds is that almost all radiation stays within the cancerous mass. After implantation, the patient can continue to enjoy physical contact with other adults. A physician may also recommend that patients avoid close contact with small children and pregnant women for the first 2 months after treatment.
Advantage
Seed therapy is a local ablation; therefore, it is not harmful to whole body. It does not expose the entire body to radiation. The seeds cannot be absorbed by body or excreted out of body. Thus, it is not harmful to the people near the patient or the surrounding environment. There are none of the side effects that are associated with the traditional combination of chemo/radiotherapy.
Seed implantation can be performed percutaneously and is a minimally invasive procedure.
Indication Seed implantation can be used for:
Prostate cancer
Tumors of soft tissue (sarcoma)
Brain cancer (Glioma)
Breast cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Liver cancer
Tongue cancer
Oral cancer
Pharyngeal cancer
Nasopharyngeal cancer
Cervical cancer
Ovary cancer
Thyroid cancer
Metastatic lymph nodes.
Seed Implantation are ideal for eradication of Non-resectable or residue lesions during or after the operation, and for the prevention of cancer recurrence. Brachytherapy complements cryosurgery. Often, both procedures will be performed together during
one surgery session.
You can find out more about brachytherapy and medical technologies in Fuda Hospital through their website at http://www.fudahospital.com/
Guidelines on how you can seek treatments to Fuda Hospital.
Office Address:
Fuda Makati Satellite Office
Unit 901-A Centuria Medical Makati Building.
Kalayaan Avenue Corner Salamanca Street Brgy. Poblacion Makati City 1210
Office Hour:
Monday to Friday
9am to 3pm
By Appointment basis:
Please contact
Mr. Segundo Cruz III
Fuda Coordinator
Mobile: 0917 775 3426
Landline: 02 507 3426
Email: [email protected]
Facebook Page: Fuda Cancer Hospital – Philippines
Services Offered:
1. Second Opinion Consultation
2. Free cost estimate for the treatment procedures in Fuda China.
3. Assistance in Securing China Visa
4. Assistance for round trip ticket issuance.
5. Transport from the Guangzhou airport to Fuda Cancer Hospital in China.
Requirements needed for Consultation:
1. Biopsy Test or Pathological Test Report.
2. CT scan or MRI scans report.
3. Medical Summary or Medical Abstract report.
4. Other Cancer related reports.
To Register:
Patient name:
Age:
Cancer Diagnosis:
City or Town:
Contact Person:
Mobile Number:
NOTE: You may send your information via email or SMS.
