BY DENNIS VEGA DOROMAL, M.D., FPCR, FPROS
SPHI Cancer Center Chief- Radiation Oncology
FROM a seed to a full grown reality, the St. Paul’s Hospital of Iloilo – Cancer Center (SPHI-CC) continues to spread its brand of cancer care to patients from all over. Since its opening on October 19, 2017, the SPHI Cancer Center has treated more than 1,200 patients coming from all over Panay (Negros Occidental and Guimaras), Palawan, Cotabato, and reaching as far as Saudi Arabia, Germany, Singapore, the United States, and other foreign countries. Together with its team of doctors (radiation, medical, surgical, hematology, pediatric oncologists, anesthesiologists), medical physicists, radiation therapists, oncology nurses, and very accommodating staff, the SPHI Cancer Center not only assists the medical needs of the patients but also look after their spiritual, psychological, and emotional needs in a spacious comfortable setting.
The SPHI Cancer Center, with its state-of-the art facilities, is the first comprehensive center in Western Visayas to focus on the treatment of cancer in an out-patient basis. Its services feature Tomotherapy, Brachytherapy, CT Simulation System, Chemotherapy, and other infusions.
Tomotherapy is an advanced targeted, image-guided, intensity modulated therapy (IMRT) machine that kills cancer cells safely and accurately given in several daily sessions depending on the type and stage of the disease.
CT Simulation/Planning System is an imaging technique that is used to accurately locate the tumor so it can be targeted by radiation with precision and avoid normal tissues with the right dose.
Brachytherapy is another radiation therapy machine that is used by implanting a sealed radioactive source close to tumor and is used mostly for gynecologic cancers and usually done in a weekly basis.
Chemotherapy is the use of cancer killing drugs injected in a patient either weekly or monthly session in an out-patient basis and is used either alone or together with radiation therapy to maximize efficacy.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide accounting for 9.6 million deaths in 2018. It was also reported by WHO in 2018 that lung, colorectal, stomach, liver, and breast cancers cause the most cancer deaths each year with lung responsible for the largest mortalities (1.8 million deaths, 18.4% of the total). Female breast cancer is the most common cancer overall in the Philippines but in terms of mortality, it ranks as third (Globocan, 2018) partly because of its early diagnosis and effective treatment like surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Gynecologic cancers like cervical and uterine cancers are also common locally but these can now be cured with early diagnosis and the correct management which are available in our center.
Cancer remains a serious condition with high mortality rates worldwide, and the SPHI Cancer Center is here to give Ilonggos a fighting chance against this dreadful disease. The SPHI-CC is guided by the hospital’s mission, vision, and the five core values of CARES namely: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Spirituality. It does its best as a Christ-centered, global health care center and training hospital, to give its patients the best medical treatment with the highest standard of care they deserve.
Patients who need to seek treatment and medical advice may consult any of our oncologists by scheduling an appointment at our Cancer Center. They may visit us from Mondays to Saturdays (except holidays) or call telephone nos.: (033) 3372742 to 49 local 2310. They may also contact mobile number 09518569738 and visit the official FB Page: St. Paul’s Hospital Cancer Center./PN
