Integrated Oncology

Integrated Oncology

At Hospital Picaso, we provide comprehensive cancer care through our Integrated Oncology Centre of Excellence. Every treatment plan for our patients is carefully crafted, combining medical expertise spanning multiple specialties, advanced technology and the latest in clinical trials and research.

At the heart of all this is our multidisciplinary team of specialists and medical staff — working hand in hand with support and collaboration from universities as well as pharmaceutical companies. This is the level of dedication towards cancer care that we have in the Integrated Oncology Centre of Excellence here at Hospital Picaso.

Our Cancer Solutions

As cancer is an extremely complicated disease that may require various fields of expertise in its treatment, a single doctor may not always be the best person for cancer patients to turn to. No matter the type of cancer, our Oncologists, Surgeons, Radiologists, Pathologists and more are ready to deliver a variety of treatments available here at Hospital Picaso. With their shared knowledge and multiple centuries’ worth of combined experience, all treatment options are explored and offered in a timely manner to the patient.

Our Team, Your Allies

Working alongside our Specialists are the various support staff we have at Hospital Picaso, such as our chemotherapy daycare nurses, radiotherapy and radiology teams.

Understanding Cancer

Cancer cells are normal cells that have grown out of control. This irregular growth is what causes tumours to form. While not all tumours are cancerous, some are, or may become cancerous in the future, disrupting the normal functions of the affected body part.

Depending on where the cancer starts, the symptoms you may encounter are different. No matter the type of cancer, one fact holds true — the risk of getting cancer increases as you age. 9 out of 10 of all cancers are diagnosed after the age of 45. As such, the most important habit you should develop in your 40s is to go for cancer regular screenings, at least once every year.

A cancer diagnosis is given to you according to stages.

Stages of Cancer

Stage 0

Abnormal cells are growing at a specific area of the body and potentially develop into cancer. This is called carcinoma in situ.

Stage 1

Cancer is small and localised in the area where it first started growing.

Stage 2

Cancer is more advanced. While it hasn’t spread to other tissues, the cancer cells may have already spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage 3

Cancer has spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes where it first started.

Stage 4

Cancer has metastasised, or spread to other organs in the body.

While early-stage cancers are more easily treated, cancer that has progressed can be difficult to deal with. Patients require constant care and the challenges they face change over time as the cancer develops.

Types of Cancer

Cancer may occur in almost any part of the body. As such, there are hundreds of types of cancer, each with its specific treatment plan. However, the most common types of cancer here in Malaysia include:

• Breast cancer — Affects 1 in 20 Malaysian women 1
• Lung cancer — Highest mortality rate in Malaysia 2
• Colon cancer — Disproportionately more common among Chinese 3
• Prostate cancer — Third most common cancer in Malaysia 4

No matter the diagnosis, our Integrated Oncology Centre of Excellence here at Hospital Picaso ensures that patients are guided through every step of their recovery journey, even after they beat cancer. Patients can rest assured that quality service and care are provided consistently throughout all stages of cancer. Hospital Picaso also offers various avenues of support for cancer patients, including psychological help and post-cancer planning.

1 Breast Cancer. Cancer Research Malaysia. www.cancerresearch.my/our-work/breast-cancer/

2 Ministry of Health Malaysia National strategic plan for cancer control programme, 2016-2020.

3 Incidence and mortality rates of colorectal cancer in Malaysia. Epidemiol Health. 2016 Mar. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5081307/

4 Prostate cancer in multi-ethnic Asian men: Real-world experience in the Malaysia Prostate Cancer (M-CaP) Study. Cancer Med. 2021 Nov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34626088/