IAC (028) 35 11 33 33 Emergency (028) 35 11 35 00 Oncology (Hy Vong Cancer Centre) Your Personalised Care Journey IAC (028) 35 11 33 33 Emergency (028) 35 11 35 00 Hy Vong Cancer Centre Your Personalised Care Journey Our multidisciplinary group of cancer experts develops and implements a personalised care plan for each patient. At Hy Vong Cancer Centre, we believe that treating cancer is about more than medical protocols – it is about supporting a human life. Because every patient is unique, we do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. STEP 1: Diagnosis If you have a symptom or a screening test result that suggests cancer, your doctor will find out whether it is due to cancer or some other cause. There is no single test that can diagnose cancer. So your doctor may start by asking about your personal and family medical history and doing a physical exam. They may order lab tests, imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scanner, MRI scans or ultrasounds, or other tests or procedures. Biopsy In most cases, doctors need to do a biopsy to be certain that you have cancer. A biopsy is a procedure in which the doctor removes a sample of abnormal tissue. A pathologist looks at the tissue under a microscope and runs other tests on the cells in the sample. The pathologist describes the findings in a pathology report, which contains details about your diagnosis. The information in your pathology reports can also help show what treatment options might work for you.The biopsy sample may be obtained in several ways: With a needle: The doctor uses a needle to withdraw tissue or fluid. This method is used for bone marrow aspirations, spinal taps, and some breast, prostate, and liver biopsies. With endoscopy: The doctor inserts a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope into a natural body opening, such as the mouth or anus. The doctor can remove some or all of the abnormal tissue through the endoscope. Examples of endoscopy exams include: Colonoscopy, which is an exam of the colon and rectum. In this type of exam, an endoscope goes through the anus. Bronchoscopy, which is an exam of the trachea, bronchi, and lungs. In this type of exam, an endoscope goes through the mouth or nose and down the throat. With surgery: A surgeon removes an area of abnormal cells during an operation. Surgery may be excisional or incisional. In an excisional biopsy, the surgeon removes the entire area of abnormal cells. Often some of the normal tissue around these cells is also removed. In an incisional biopsy, the surgeon removes just part of the abnormal area. FV uses the latest diagnostic tools, like digital pathology, AI-assisted imaging, and molecular profiling, to facilitate data-driven decision-making, which is crucial to achieving exact diagnostic and better treatment results. Anatomical pathology A pathologist is a doctor who studies samples of body tissue under a microscope. Anatomical pathology is the cornerstone of cancer diagnosis, providing essential, definitive information by analysing tissue samples (biopsies or surgical resections) to identify the presence, type, grade, and stage of malignancy.Key aspects of anatomical pathology in cancer care include: Definitive diagnosis: It determines if a tumour is malignant (cancer) or benign, defining the exact cancer type. Tumour grading: Pathologists assess the aggressiveness (grade) of the tumour, which is critical for predicting prognosis and determining treatment options. Predictive markers: Pathologists use techniques like Immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify specific proteins, hormone receptor status (e.g., ER, PR, HER2 in breast cancer), or molecular markers (e.g., EGFR, ALK, ROS1) that help guide targeted therapies and immunotherapies. Anatomical pathology plays a pivotal role in guiding treatment decisions by providing crucial insights into the unique characteristics of tumours, enabling oncologists to devise personalised treatment plans. Molecular testing Molecular testing uses next-generation DNA sequencing to provide important details about your cancer, looking for genetic mutations. These include changes in certain genes like EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, BRCA, ALK, HRR and PIK3CA.Precision cancer treatments may be available for people with specific genetic mutations found through molecular testing, by indicating: Whether the cancer has a weakness that a specific targeted drug can exploit. How visible the cancer might be to your immune system, and if it could respond to immunotherapy. Liquid biopsy and ctDNA Liquid biopsy is an innovative, minimally invasive diagnostic tool revolutionising cancer management by enabling the detection and analysis of cancer-related biomarkers from bodily fluids such as blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid. Unlike traditional tissue biopsies, which require invasive procedures, liquid biopsy offers a more accessible and repeatable method for tracking cancer progression, detecting early-stage cancers, and monitoring therapeutic responses.The technology primarily focuses on analysing circulating tumour cells (CTCs), circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), and other cancer-derived genetic materials. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) refers to small fragments of DNA that are released by tumour cells into the bloodstream. ctDNA offers advantages in providing a simple approach to detect minimal levels of disease specifically and non-invasively, allowing assessment of response to treatment, presence of residual disease, and guide the treatment decision. STEP 2: Staging Cancer staging is the process of determining how much cancer is in your body and its location, typically by assessing tumour size, lymph node involvement, and spread (metastasis). Understand how serious your cancer is. Plan the best treatment for you. Staging may involve blood testing, imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scanner, MRI, and PET scan, endoscopy, EBUS, EUS.When describing the stage, doctors may use the words local, localised, regional, locally advanced, advanced or metastatic. Local and localised mean that the cancer is only in the organ where it started and has not spread to other parts of the body. Regional and locally advanced mean close to or around the organ. Advanced and metastatic mean in a part of the body farther from the organ. STEP 3: Multidisciplinary Tumour Board and Personalised Treatment Plan At FV, your care is never determined by a single voice. Every cancer case is reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, during the weekly FV Tumour Board, ensuring precise, personalised, and effective treatment decisions. The Tumour Board is composed of Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Surgeons, Radiologists, and Pathologists. The meeting begins with a detailed presentation of your case, every aspect is reviewed including tumour type, grade, stage, molecular profile, comorbidities and patient’s goals. The primary objective is to collectively decide on the best treatment course for you.There are multiple treatment options for cancer patients, often used in combination, including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. Once the evaluation is complete, the tumour board creates your own treatment plan, and everyone agrees to the plan devised. Treatment plans are highly personalised based on cancer type, stage, and location. Your treatment plan is therefore designed to be as unique as your DNA. We integrate various modalities to ensure the highest chance of success while preserving your quality of life. STEP 4: Treatment Today, cancer treatment has improved tremendously and has restored quality of life for many patients. At Hy Vong we offer our patients the most advanced treatment options. There are many types of cancer treatments and they all work differently. Also, every case of cancer is different. The main types of cancer treatment include: Surgery Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Intra-arterial chemotherapy Targeted therapy Immunotherapy Hormonal therapy Ablation Cancer treatment may be a one-time surgery or, more often, it may require a combination of treatments. For example, your doctor may recommend the strategic use of chemotherapy treatment to kill cancer cells, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body, or other combination approaches. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of possible treatments with you before you agree on the treatment plan recommended by the Tumour Board.You have the right to refuse any treatment you do not wish to have, and to change your mind at any stage during treatment.Your treatment plan may also change based on how your cancer responds to the treatment and how well you cope with any side effects. STEP 5: Holistic Support & Survivorship Care at the Hy Vong Cancer Centre doesn’t end with a medical procedure. We walk with you through the recovery process to ensure you return to a full and vibrant life. We offer a variety of education and support resources to help you and your family throughout your cancer experience, and encourage you to take full advantage of them. Supportive Care Services Helpful Links Meet Our Experts Specialists committed to delivering world-class cancer care. Cancer Screening Receive personalised risk assessments and targeted screening. Start your journey with confidence Facing cancer is a challenge, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team is ready to guide you through your personalised care pathway to healing. Schedule a Consultation
