A multidisciplinary approach to treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, is offering new hope for Filipino patients. This was highlighted during the 2024 Philippine Society of Oncologists (PSO) Annual Convention held at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The presentation, titled Bringing the Strength in Survival, emphasized the importance of collaboration among various medical specialists in addressing the complexities of advanced or metastatic HCC. Medical oncologist and PSO President Dr. Herdee Gloriane Luna, alongside gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr. Jade Jamias, led the discussion, with Dr. May Sabando moderating.
“HCC is a complex disease, particularly in its advanced stages,” said Dr. Luna, who is affiliated with the Lung Cancer of the Philippines, National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), and St. Luke’s Medical Center. She stressed that innovative approaches, alongside multidisciplinary care, can enhance both the efficacy and safety of treatments.
Dr. Jamias, chairman of the Internal Medicine Division and the Liver Center at NKTI, echoed the importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the treatment of liver cancer.
“MDT involves the collaboration of various medical and allied healthcare personnel from various disciplines to come up with the most comprehensive care for patients with liver cancer,” he said.
HCC remains a significant health concern, being the most common cause of death in individuals with cirrhosis and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, according to the Global Cancer Observatory.
The convention underscored the critical role of personalized treatment plans, with Dr. Luna urging patients to consult their MDT for tailored recommendations. She also noted that financial assistance programs are available to support treatment.
Roche (Philippines) Inc. supported the discussion, with the company’s General Manager for Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Diana Edralin, expressing the importance of continued innovation in liver cancer treatment.
“Roche has worked tirelessly to find innovative and life-changing solutions to curb the spread of liver cancer. We believe people with HCC deserve more options, and our hope for the future is to be a helping hand for those who need it,” she said.
The PSO’s 40th annual convention, which coincided with the society’s 60th anniversary, focused on advancing diagnostic and multidisciplinary approaches in cancer care, aiming for more precise treatment outcomes.
Roche, a global biotechnology company based in Basel, Switzerland, continues to collaborate with organizations like the PSO to enhance patient care and develop personalized healthcare solutions for cancer and other diseases.
