Cancer is on the increase every year. In Malaysia an estimated 40,000 new cases are reported yearly. Therefore the need for dealing with cancer has to increase accordingly.
We at LohGuanLye SPECIALISTS CENTRE understand this need; hence have established an Oncology Unit to cater not only for the patients but also their family and friends around them. The Centre provides inpatient and outpatient modern technological and support services. The Unit is ideally located to ensure privacy and provides treatment in a warm & comfortable environment.
Cancer treatment has now become highly specialized in the 21 st century. Treatment decision is best made with a cancer specialist together with your physician/surgeon as there are many modalities of treatment and many types of chemotherapy drugs available today. Different cancers will require different chemotherapy drugs/regimes.
Consultation with an Oncologist (Cancer Specialist):-
To discuss your diagnosis and plan treatment with you
To accurately localize and stage your cancer with various test availbale here.
Depending on the nature and stage of your cancer and the treatment involved, your Oncologist
will discuss the various treatment options with you which may involve :
- Surgery (which is readily available at our Centre) OR
- Chemotherapy alone (which is readily available at our Centre) OR
- Radiation alone OR
- A combination of any of the above
Oncology Unit in LohGuanLye SPECIALISTS CENTRE provides:-
Expert advice by qualified clinical oncologist who is trained from UK.
Day care chemotherapy
Inpatient chemotherapy
Dietetic advice
Free counselling and education services (Patient Education Unit & Cancerlink)
Physiotherapy, psychological support and special support group get-togethers.
If you are seeing the doctor for the first time, please remember to bring along your recent investigation
results, histology report, laboratory results, x-rays, MRI/CT Scans.
Day Care Chemotherapy
We provide day care chemotherapy which will be given in our Day Care Unit, with nice ambience to minimize the discomfort and to allay anxiety i.e. TV with astro channels, piped in music, free drinks, nice, friendly and experienced staff and a waiting area for relatives/friends.
Inpatient Chemotherapy
Some chemotherapy regimes require chemotherapy to be administered as an inpatient, hence it will be
given in the wards.
How is the chemotherapy drug administered?
The drug is usually given by a slow intravenous infusion/drip directly into a vein or via a chemo port. This is a device inserted into a larger vein (usually a minor surgical procedure). Each time you require the injection, the drug can be given via this chemo port which spares you the pain and inconvenience (smaller veins may be damaged by multiple injections). The Staff Nurse will explain to you more about the chemo port and how to take care of it. Sometimes the drug is given by mouth or very occasionally the drug is given directly into a hollow organ affected by cancer e.g. the urinary bladder.
Side effects can be rather depressing i.e. you will worry and fret over your illness.
This is understandable, but please talk it out with your doctor, nurse or close friends and relatives.
Your social life could be affected. You may need to adjust your lifestyle but, remember this is only
temporary.
Side effects due to the drugs:
Nausea : With the availability of newer drugs, this can be controlled or decreased to a
minimum.
Vomiting : This can be readily controlled. You may not vomit, but, may lose your appetite or be
sensitive to food smells. This will revert back to normal when the treatment is
completed.
Hair Loss : Not all drugs cause this side effect. Should this happen to you, remember you can use
wigs, which are very well-made these days. Even people who do not lose their hair
wear wigs just to look good! Hair loss could make you feel depressed and miserable, but,
remember your hair will grow again once the treatment is completed.
Other side effects :
Ulcers in the mouth or gut can be troublesome. Do not hesitate to inform your doctor.
You should also inform your doctor of other medications you are taking for other medical
conditions.
Activity and care during chemotherapy
It is important that you maintain an adequate diet with sufficient rest while receiving chemotherapy. You may feel tired and listless because of anaemia associated with your cancer or with the therapy. Remember that your doctors and nurses all work closely together to provide you with quality care. Do not hesitate to discuss any problems you may encounter.
- Whatever your problems, please do not give up
- Finish the course
- There will be benefits at the end
- Side effect are reversible
