Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) zeroes in on brain and spine tumors in its latest webicon entitled, “It Takes A Village to Save A Life: A Webicon on the Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management.” The webicon was held on February 24 via ZOOM and Facebook livestreaming.
Together with its top medical experts
from the Brain and Spine Institute, CSMC debunked common myths about brain and
spine tumors and discussed the different types of treatments and ways to
provide the best, most holistic care to a patient. The webicon was moderated by
Dr. Michael Louis Gimenez, Chair of the Brain and Spine Institute, and the
specialists invited to speak were Dr. Theodor Vesagas, Clinical Director of the
Philippine Gamma Knife Center and CSMC Brain and Spine Tumor Center; Dr.
Gilbert Rañoa, Training Officer of the CSMC Spine Fellowship Program; and Dr.
Ma. Luisa Abesamis-Tiambeng, Chair of the Cancer Institute.
Dr. Gimenez opened the webicon by
touching on the different signs and symptoms of brain or spine tumors.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vesagas explained the benefits of CSMC’s multidisciplinary
approach to treating tumors. He noted that a team effort in diagnosis and
treatment allows patients to receive consistent and timely care, and increases
patient satisfaction.
Dr. Vesagas also talked about Gamma Knife
Radiosurgery, a procedure that is only currently available at CSMC. The goal of
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is to control or stop the growth of the tumor, and
allows for excellent control in the removal of tumors with minimal morbidity.
Dr. Rañoa then elaborated on other
innovative open surgery treatment options that CSMC offers, such as
Stereotactic Biopsy, where neurosurgeons use a needle to obtain tissue from the
brain, as well as Awake Craniotomy, which can only be done if an intraoperative
neurostimulator is available, and is used to remove tumors in more critical
parts of the brain.
Finally, Dr. Tiambeng spoke about
non-surgical tumor management, and wrapped up the team’s discussion with some
reminders and practical tips to follow for when one schedules a checkup for
possible tumors.
Mr. Rodel Perez, a 45-year-old OFW based
in Dubai and one of CSMC’s patients, was also present as a speaker. Perez
recounted his experience after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was
about the size of a medium-sized lemon. He noted CSMC’s world-class methods and
facilities, praising the compassionate care and sincerity the doctors and
nurses of CSMC had towards him during his treatment.
The webicon was concluded with the
standard Q&A session with all the panelists, where Dr. Tiambeng stamped out
the misconception that these treatments are available only to those who are
well-off.
“The Philippine Alliance for Brain and Spine
Tumors [is a] foundation [that] is helping and has helped hundreds of patients
get free treatments,” she said. “There is also Cardinal Charities Foundations,
which helps indigent patients get big discounts or even free procedures.”
When asked how they could encourage
Filipinos to seek medical advice over checking their symptoms on the internet, Dr.
Tiambeng said, “The internet cannot treat you—Google cannot treat you— it can
only give you information.” Despite being a powerful tool in gathering
information, a specialist’s intervention is still essential in treating any
illness.
“Always remember that here at Cardinal
Santos Medical Center, you have a village of medical experts working hand in
hand to save lives,” Dr. Gimenez concluded.
For more information about the Brain and
Spine Institute, as well as other services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also
on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.
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