Malaysia combines technological advancements and compassionate paediatric oncologists to ensure that paediatric cancer patients receive the care they deserve.
Approximately 400,000 children (aged 0-19 years old) around the world are diagnosed with cancer every year[1]. While the disease is potentially life-threatening, the majority are treatable, with children having a five-year relative survival rate of up to 86%[2].
According to the Malaysian Society of Paediatric Haematology & Oncology, paediatric cancers are very different from cancers that affect adults and respond to treatment differently[3]. Dr. Yap Tsiao Yi, Paediatric Oncologist at Sunway Medical Centre (SMC), concurs. “Children are not adults and, as such, we can’t use a one-size-fits-all treatment. For one, they are young and resilient, and do not have comorbidities like adults may have. In fact, their organs are healthier, which means they can tolerate treatments better and recover much faster,” she explained.
Furthermore, the tender ages of the patients also play a role in the determination of the treatment approach. “We tend to treat children more aggressively because we want to cure them so that they can live out their full potential and lifespan,” added Dr. Yap.
Prospects for paediatric cancer patients have improved dramatically over the decades with advances in treatment capabilities. For example, leukaemia, which comprises nearly 50% of all childhood cancers in the 0 to 14-year-old age group, has an 80% to 95% cure rate[4] today.
As Malaysia’s healthcare sector continues to evolve, innovative developments in oncology ensure that the country’s hospitals remain at the forefront for oncology services within the region.
“At Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), our experienced team bases our approaches on evidence-based guidelines that was developed via a Malaysia-Singapore (MASPORE) leukaemia study group,” shared Catherine Lee May Ling, Director of Cancer & Radiosurgery Centre and Imaging Services at the hospital.
According to her, among the treatments for leukaemia that are available at SJMC are stem cell transplantation and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-Cell therapy, which is done through a joint service with the National University Hospital of Singapore. The hospital is also equipped with advanced imaging technologies like positron emission tomography (PET) scans, computerised tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for precise disease staging to provide a personalised cancer treatment.
Dr. Yap emphasised that technological breakthroughs, such as the development of different surgical tools, can help surgeons gain a better understanding of how they are able to approach performing the surgery as well as allowing for clean margins, which means that the entire tumour can be removed without leaving any microscopic parts behind. “Radiotherapy advancements have also aided in making the therapy focus on small, tiny areas, while protecting the rest of the organs from being affected by the radiation,” she said.
Having a comprehensive treatment team is essential to ensure that the young patient gets proper care. According to Dr. Yap, “At SMC, we have a complete and dedicated paediatric team. In addition to a paediatric oncologist, we also have a paediatric intensive care doctor, nephrologist, rheumatologist and radiologist, to name a few.”
Similarly, SJMC also has an extensive multidisciplinary team that is able to provide seamless cancer care from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. “These include oncologists, haematologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, palliative care specialists and pathologists for accurate diagnosis,” said Lee.
As a Cancer Care Centre of Excellence, Malaysia has a top-notch healthcare ecosystem that is closely regulated by the country’s Ministry of Health. As such, parents can be assured that their children have easy access to true care in a safe and trusted destination there.
Find out more about paediatric oncology at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaBgJ4mD68I. For more information on Malaysia Healthcare and its services, please visit https://malaysiahealthcare.org or visit our social feeds at: www.facebook.com/MHTCMalaysia or at LinkedIn (Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council).
[1] https://www.who.int/activities/improving-childhood-cancer-cure-rate#:~:text=Each%20year%2C%20an%20estimated%20400,is%20often%20unavailable%20or%20unaffordable.
[2] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/childhood-cancer/statistics#:~:text=In%20the%20mid%2D1970s%2C%20the,children%20and%2086%25%20for%20teens.
[3] https://maspho.org/cancer-information/
[4] https://sjmccancerradiosurgerycentre.com/cancer-types/childhood-cancer