USM introduces radiology intervention treatment for cancer patients

KOTA BHARU, July 28 (Bernama) -- Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital (HUSM) has introduced a new method to boost the treatment of cancer patients through radiology intervention.

The university vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail said with this method, surgeons can now conduct image-guided surgery which allows them to view the cancer-infected areas on a screen before killing off the cancer cells through lasers or wires which have been inserted into the blood stream.

“This method is only focused on cancer-infected areas which require minor surgeries, the outcome is better with low-risk," she said.

She was speaking to reporters after launching the Eighth East Coast Society of Neuroradiology and Interventional Radiology (ECSNIR) here today.

The two-day seminar with the theme 'Exploring New Frontiers' which began today is attended by about 300 local and foreign participants including radiologists, medical officers, medical doctorate students and medical assistants.

Asma said the objective of the seminar was to introduce the latest updates on women’s oncology and health.

Coordinator of HUSM’s Advanced Minimally Invasive Endovascular and Neurology (AMIEN) Interventional Centre, Dr Chandran Nadarajan said the treatment had received good response, with about three patients getting treatment each day at the hospital.

He said most of these were patients suffering from liver, lung and kidney cancer.

“Patients who come early for treatment has better chances of full recovery after undergoing the treatment,” she said.

-- BERNAMA