St. Luke’s Human Cancer Biobank: The Future of Cancer Care

The Research and Biotechnology Group and Cancer Institute of St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City launched the country’s first Human Cancer Biobank. First in the country, Its primary aim is to collect tumor specimens from patients with cancer, preserve and store these for study by St. Luke’s scientists and cancer experts and analyze the cells on a genetic and molecular level to discover their fundamental components. This groundbreaking facility charts a viable path towards the future of cancer care.

Imagine a world wherein patients receive treatments that tailor fit an individual based on their body and particular disease. Correspondingly, these patients can therefore be tested to determine if they are prone to developing seriousness illnesses in the future and ultimately prevent this from happening by altering their genetic make-up.

“This is the Human Cancer Biobank Project, that we have conceptualized last year, as we saw the need for more precise treatment options for patients”, exclaimed St. Luke’s Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Edgardo R. Cortez during an interview.

Through collaboration with other experts in the country and throughout the world, the St. Luke’s Human Cancer Biobank is the breakthrough project that will pave the way for invention and discovery of innovative methods of diagnosis and treatment of patients for a better tomorrow.

St. Luke’s Human Cancer Biobank: The Future of Cancer Care

The Research and Biotechnology Group and Cancer Institute of St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City launched the country’s first Human Cancer Biobank. First in the country, Its primary aim is to collect tumor specimens from patients with cancer, preserve and store these for study by St. Luke’s scientists and cancer experts and analyze the cells on a genetic and molecular level to discover their fundamental components. This groundbreaking facility charts a viable path towards the future of cancer care.

Imagine a world wherein patients receive treatments that tailor fit an individual based on their body and particular disease. Correspondingly, these patients can therefore be tested to determine if they are prone to developing seriousness illnesses in the future and ultimately prevent this from happening by altering their genetic make-up.

“This is the Human Cancer Biobank Project, that we have conceptualized last year, as we saw the need for more precise treatment options for patients”, exclaimed St. Luke’s Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Edgardo R. Cortez during an interview.

Through collaboration with other experts in the country and throughout the world, the St. Luke’s Human Cancer Biobank is the breakthrough project that will pave the way for invention and discovery of innovative methods of diagnosis and treatment of patients for a better tomorrow.

St. Luke’s is the first hospital in the Philippines to offer latest laser vision correction procedure

SLMC Eye Surgeons (L-R standing) Drs. Jessica Marie Abano, Winston Valentine Villar, Maria Christina Manas, (seated) Ruben Lim Bon Siong, and (2nd from right) Irwin Cua with (3rd from right) St. Luke’s – GC Eye Institute Head Dr. Noel Chua and (1st from right) Carl Zeiss SE Asia Application Specialist Ralph Rafa

The Eye Institute-Vision Laser Service (EI-VLS) of St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City (SLMC-GC) now offers in its portfolio of services cutting-edge vision correction surgery. The Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) is the latest generation premium refractive surgery procedure for patients with myopia (nearsightedness) and astigmatism. Being ahead of the curve in modern medical technology and treatment, St. Luke’s acquires the country’s first VisuMax and Refractive Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx)-SMILE system.

Unlike laser vision correction treatments such as Laser-Assisted in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) where a corneal flap is created, the SMILE procedure is performed using the Carl Zeiss VisuMax femtosecond system without creating a corneal flap.

“The VisuMax femtosecond laser machine makes highly precise and ultra-fine cuts at different levels of the cornea creating a lenticule, which corresponds to the amount of myopia and astigmatism you intend to correct,” explains Dr. Ruben Lim Bon Siong, VLS head in SLMC-GC. “This piece of lenticule is separated from the overlying and underlying tissue layer of the cornea using a blunt dissector and is eventually extracted through a 4 millimeter laser-created smile-shaped incision at the side of the cornea.”

St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) is the first hospital in the country to offer the SMILE laser vision correction procedure

Because SMILE is a flapless procedure, corneal flap-related complications—wrinkling, button holes, displacement, dislocation and dislodging—are eliminated and dry eye symptoms are reduced. Moreover, the structural integrity of the cornea is maintained and prevents it from weakening.

SMILE is performed on an outpatient basis, and the procedure for both eyes takes approximately 15 minutes or less. Delayed visual recovery and discomfort are issues associated with Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK). In SMILE, however, visual recovery is fast and pain-free according to Dr. Lim Bon Siong. A comprehensive assessment and pre-op eye examination is mandatory to determine if a patient is qualified to undergo refractive laser surgery.

Also, a team of refractive eye surgeons from the EI-VLS at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City and Quezon City successfully performed the first Small Incision Lenticule Extraction or SMILE procedure on 38 eyes of 19 patients since February. The core group of doctors are Dr. Lim Bon Siong; Dr. Winston Valentine L. Villar, VLS head in St. Luke’s Medical Center-Quezon City; Dr. Jessica Marie R. Abano; Dr. Irwin Y. Cua; and Dr. Maria Christina T. Manas.

St. Luke’s Medical Center and Fortune Care launches ‘Healthcare For Those Who Care’

Recognizing that our doctors also need to be taken cared of, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) and Fortune Care have recently formed a partnership to offer a comprehensive health care coverage for St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City and Quezon City doctors and their dependents. Fortune Care is one of the pioneers in the HMO industry and has served their members nationwide for almost three decades.

The 2014 to 2015 Fortune Care health care coverage includes more comprehensive health care benefits. Fortune Care will underwrite the doctor’s share of hospital bills while integrating exclusive SLMC privilege discounts for doctors and their dependents. The discount applies to inpatient and outpatient services and inpatient and outpatient medicines.

In addition, inpatient benefits include room and board accommodation, services of accredited physicians and surgeons, drugs and other medications given during hospitalization and required laboratory tests and other necessary diagnostic services as requested by a Fortune Care physician. On the other hand, outpatient benefits include consultation at St. Luke’s – Quezon City or St. Luke’s – Global City during clinic hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) from Monday to Saturday, necessary routine laboratory tests and commonly available diagnostic procedures, treatment of minor injuries and eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) care among others.

Eligible enrollees include department heads, chief of sections, associate heads, active consultants, active associates, consultants, affiliates, fellows, resident physicians, hospitalists and intensivists. Dependent enrollees include spouse (up to 70 years old) and children (from birth up to 18 years old) are also considered.

St. Luke’s Medical Center and Fortune Care launches ‘Healthcare For Those Who Care’

Recognizing that our doctors also need to be taken cared of, St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) and Fortune Care have recently formed a partnership to offer a comprehensive health care coverage for St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City and Quezon City doctors and their dependents. Fortune Care is one of the pioneers in the HMO industry and has served their members nationwide for almost three decades.

The 2014 to 2015 Fortune Care health care coverage includes more comprehensive health care benefits. Fortune Care will underwrite the doctor’s share of hospital bills while integrating exclusive SLMC privilege discounts for doctors and their dependents. The discount applies to inpatient and outpatient services and inpatient and outpatient medicines.

In addition, inpatient benefits include room and board accommodation, services of accredited physicians and surgeons, drugs and other medications given during hospitalization and required laboratory tests and other necessary diagnostic services as requested by a Fortune Care physician. On the other hand, outpatient benefits include consultation at St. Luke’s – Quezon City or St. Luke’s – Global City during clinic hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) from Monday to Saturday, necessary routine laboratory tests and commonly available diagnostic procedures, treatment of minor injuries and eye, ear, nose and throat (EENT) care among others.

Eligible enrollees include department heads, chief of sections, associate heads, active consultants, active associates, consultants, affiliates, fellows, resident physicians, hospitalists and intensivists. Dependent enrollees include spouse (up to 70 years old) and children (from birth up to 18 years old) are also considered.