Integrated Cancer Center

The Integrated Cancer Center provided by Tzu Chi Hospital offers comprehensive services for managing all types of cancer, from early detection and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. Combining advanced technology, experienced specialist, and compassionate care, we are committed to delivering cancer treatment that upholding international standards of quality, safety, and patient comfort.

 

This service is supported by a team of experienced oncologist, including: Surgical Oncologist Consultant in Medical Hematology Oncology Radiation Oncologist Nuclear Radiologist Other Specialist

 

Cancer treatment at Tzu Chi Hospital aims to both treat and improve the quality of life for cancer patients, while also providing hope and support throughout their healing journey.

 

Conditions treated

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Nasopharyngeal cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Colon cancer
• Skin cancer
• Blood cancer
• Tongue cancer
• Oral cancer
• Eye cancer
• Brain cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Liver cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Bone cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Lymphoma
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Other digestive organ cancers
• Other head and neck cancers

 

Services and treatments

1. Early detection

Tzu Chi Hospital provides early detection services to address cancer more effectively. The available examinations include:

• VIA Test

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) is an examination used to detect abnormalities in the cervix that have the potential to develop into cancer.

• Pap Smear

The pap smear method is used to detect cervical cancer by taking a sample of cells from the cervix.

• Liquid-Based Cytology

Liquid-based pap smear with higher sensitivity and more accurate results.

• HPV DNA Test

A laboratory test to detect the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.

• Medical Check-Up

A comprehensive health examination, including laboratory tests for tumor markers.

• Low-Dose CT Thorax

A lung cancer screening method using low-dose X-rays that provides clearer imaging compared to standard chest X-rays.

• Clinical Breast Examination

Clinical breast examination is performed by a specialist if the patient detects abnormalities during breast self-examination.

• Mammography

Mammography is a breast examination procedure that uses low-energy X-rays to detect breast cancer. Tzu Chi Hospital offers 3D mammography with Artificial Intelligence to detect and differentiate types of lesions in the breast that may not be visible through physical examination. With 3D mammography, the examination is more comfortable due to a compression surface that conforms to the curve of the breast, providing more even pressure. The discomfort experienced is only one-third of that caused by traditional mammography. Mammography is recommended for women aged 40 and over.

• Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to examine the inside of the large intestine using a tube-shaped instrument called a colonoscope.

 

2. Diagnosis

Diagnostic procedures for cancer at Tzu Chi Hospital utilize advanced medical technology to ensure accurate identification, including:

• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

MRI examinations use radio waves and magnets to detect abnormalities in body organs. MRI can also be used to diagnose breast cancer. Tzu Chi Hospital has the latest 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI technology, which produces clearer images of body organs and aids in more accurate diagnosis.

• PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography)

A nuclear medicine technology used to identify the source of cancer or primary lesions, as well as to assess the spread of cancer.

• SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

A nuclear medicine technology that detects various bone diseases, including the spread of cancer to the bones.

 

3. Definitive therapy

Based on the results of the cancer diagnosis, the doctor will recommend various definitive therapy options, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This approach is designed to combat cancer according to the specific needs of each patient.

• Surgery: Surgery is one of the treatment options for cancer. With experienced surgical oncologist, Tzu Chi Hospital offers the best surgical treatments tailored to each patient.
• Systemic therapy (Chemotherapy): A cancer treatment that uses drugs designed to stop the growth of cancer cells. The medical team at Tzu Chi Hospital will create a chemotherapy plan tailored to the type of cancer, its stage, and the overall health condition of each patient.
• Radiotherapy: A cancer treatment that uses radiation to kill cancer cells and prevent their further growth. Tzu Chi Hospital offers advanced LINAC technology (Versa HD™) to provide more precise and accurate radiotherapy treatments.

 

4. Complementary therapy

The journey against cancer involves not only the physical aspects but also the emotional and psychological dimensions of the patient. Therefore, Tzu Chi Hospital provides palliative care as a complementary therapy to support the patient's quality of life holistically.

Palliative care aims to help patients manage symptoms and pain related to cancer or its treatment, as well as address psychological, social, and spiritual issues. This approach helps maintain the patient's quality of life. The palliative care team at Tzu Chi Hospital will develop a care plan tailored to the specific needs of each patient.

 

Medical technology

• CT Simulator GE Discovery RT

An advanced imaging system used for radiation therapy planning. The CT Simulator GE Discovery RT features MaxFOV 2 (Max Field-of-View), which provides more complete and accurate anatomical images to precisely target tumors for radiation while protecting surrounding healthy tissue. The expanded imaging diameter of up to 80 cm allows patients to lie more comfortably during the examination.

• CT Scan (Computed Tomography)

A medical imaging technology that uses ionizing radiation (X-rays) and computer systems to view body structures in greater detail. CT scans can detect the presence of tumors and identify signs of cancer spread.

• LINAC (Versa HD™)

A radiation machine that generates ionizing radiation (X-rays) to destroy cancer cells using advanced techniques such as 3D conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), 4D radiation therapy (4DRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). This advanced radiation technology offers several advantages:

a. High-precision radiation technology: Equipped with Agility™ MLC 160-leaf technology, ensuring more precise radiation therapy.

b. Fast radiation delivery: The MLC speed is twice that of average MLCs used in other machines.

c. Stereotactic radiosurgery: Effectively treats very small brain tumors (up to 5 mm in diameter) precisely and quickly.

d. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): Delivers high doses of radiation to cancerous tissue while ensuring the safety of surrounding healthy organs.

e. 4D-guided imaging treatment (Symmetry): Combined with Active Breathing Coordinator (ABC), this technique offers high accuracy in detecting the movement of healthy organs, allowing radiation therapy to adapt to moving targets, such as in lung cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and liver cancer.

• 3D Mammography

3D Mammography is the latest imaging technology that can detect breast cancer from various angles and layers. With higher sensitivity and the aid of artificial intelligence, 3D mammography can find cancer cells hidden behind dense breast tissue that may not be detected by 2D mammography.

Additionally, the examination procedure with 3D mammography at Tzu Chi Hospital is more comfortable, featuring a compression surface that conforms to the curve of the breast for more even and less painful pressure.

• Ultrasound Elastography (Siemens ACUSON Sequoia)

Ultrasound elastography generates high-frequency sound waves to detect liver stiffness and assess the percentage of liver steatosis (fatty liver) using Ultrasound Derived Fat Fraction (UDFF) technology.

This examination is an initial step to prevent complications from fatty liver, such as cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

• SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

SPECT is a nuclear medicine imaging technology that combines the use of a gamma camera and a computed tomography scanner to provide information about the body's organs in the form of three-dimensional (3D) images. SPECT can detect radioactive tracer injected into the body.

SPECT is used to diagnose the following conditions:

a. Cancer metastasis

b. Parkinson's disease

c. Dementia

d. Thyroid disorders

e. Lymph node blockages

• PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography - Computer Tomography)

PET-CT is a nuclear medicine imaging technology that uses positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanners to visualize the metabolic activity of cells by injecting radioactive substances into the body. PET-CT can be used for early cancer detection, diagnosing cancer malignancy, and evaluating the disease.

• MRI 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla

Medical imaging technology uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of organs and tissues inside the body. Tzu Chi Hospital has the latest 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla MRI technology, which can produce clearer images of body organs and help diagnose conditions more accurately.

a. MRI 1.5 Tesla Signa™ Creator: This non-invasive imaging technology uses a 1.5 Tesla magnetic field to produce detailed images of the human body's structures, including organs, tissues, and bones. The MRI 1.5 Tesla Signa™ Creator employs the deep learning algorithm AIR™ Recon DL, allowing scan durations to be completed quickly in under 30 minutes without compromising accuracy.

b. MRI 3 Tesla Signa™ Architect: The MRI 3 Tesla Signa™ Architect is the latest model in its class, offering numerous advantages. It can perform examinations of organ sections with superior image quality, accuracy, and speed without requiring changes in the patient's position during the scan. The MRI’s larger aperture (70 cm in diameter) ensures greater comfort for patients and can accommodate capacity up to 180 kg.

 

Our doctors

• DR. Dr. Samuel Haryono, Sp.B (K) Onk

Surgical Oncologist

• Dr. Rajesh Kalwani, Sp.PD-KHOM, FINASIM

Consultant in Medical Hematology Oncology

• Dr. Defrizal, Sp.Onk.Rad (K)

Consultant Radiation Oncologist

• Dr. Fenny Gozal, Sp.Onk.Rad., M.A.R.S.

Radiation Oncologist

• Dr. Andre Prawira Putra, Sp.Onk.Rad., M.P.H.

Radiation Oncologist

• Dr. Aulia Huda, Sp.KN-TM (K)

Consultant Nuclear Radiologist

• Dr. Christilia Oktaviani, Sp.KN-TM

Nuclear Radiologist