"My condition is that prostate cancer has invaded my bladder." The local doctors have suggested that I undergo a direct resection and have a stoma created next to it. I will always need to wear a urine catheter bag. But the minimally invasive treatment here can at least help me retain these organs and enable me to live a life like ordinary people. "This is why I chose St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou."

Traveling back and forth for check-ups between two cities

It took six months, but the results of the pathology are still unknown

My surname is TING. I am 58 years old, from Sarawak, Malaysia, and of Chinese descent.

A few years ago, I experienced symptoms of frequent urination, but I didn't take it seriously at the time. In July 2023, I went to the local hospital for a check-up due to difficulty urinating and frequent nocturia. The doctor informed me that it was simply prostatic hypertrophy. I took medication, but did not improve after 1 to 2 months.

Later, I underwent more detailed examinations, such as biopsies, in hospitals in Malaysia and Singapore. However, the results were not very clear. They only showed high-grade urothelial cancer, indicating higher malignancy and only bladder cancer was considered. It is unclear whether there was any metastasis. At the same time, doctors in both countries recommended that I undergo surgery, electrotherapy, and other treatments as soon as possible to prevent the condition from worsening.

(Mr. TING)

Faced with these traditional treatment methods, I refused to accept them. I was concerned not only about potentially unbearable side effects but also because I had seen my father suffer from headaches and vomiting after undergoing electrotherapy. Therefore, I wanted to go home and continue my search for a treatment that was more suitable for me.

After some time, since no treatment plan was determined, my difficulty in urination worsened. Therefore, I had to undergo a cystostomy to alleviate my discomfort.

Integrated Minimally Invasive Treatment Helps Free Me From Urine Catheter Bag Nightmares

My wife and I attended an offline lecture on cancer treatment held by St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou when we were looking for a second opinion. During the lecture, Professor Dai Wenyan shared a minimally invasive treatment technology for cancer treatment without excision. This technology appealed to me as, in Malaysia, the usual approach is to perform excision directly, followed by making a stoma next to it and carrying a urine catheter bag for life. 

When I got home, I researched more information online and went to the Kuala Lumpur International Service Center for a detailed consultation. Following a thorough understanding, I visited the hospital at the end of 2023, the second day after the cystostomy.

After I was admitted, the doctor arranged a comprehensive physical examination for me after a detailed understanding of my situation. More than twenty days later, I finally got the accurate pathology results: stage IV prostate cancer, with cancer cells invading the bladder. With accurate results, targeted treatment can be better carried out. According to my situation, the MDT of the hospital formulated an integrated and minimally invasive treatment plan based on "interventional therapy" for me.

As I learned beforehand, interventional therapy involves administering anti-tumor drugs that are 2-8 times more potent than those used in systemic chemotherapy directly into the tumor tissue. This approach not only preserves organs and functions but also effectively treats cancer.

Initially, I was solely dependent on a urine bag to manage my difficulty in urinating. This condition made it impossible for me to do extensive exercises and restricted my daily life. The process of tending to the wound was tedious and embarrassing. However, after my first interventional treatment, my difficulty in urinating improved significantly. After the second and third treatments, not only did my urination become smoother, but the prostate tumor also shrank considerably, and I was finally able to get rid of the urine bag. I can't help feeling relieved that I have finally found a treatment method that suits me. Although I still need to undergo further treatment, I firmly believe that it will only get better and better in the future.

(Mr. TING’s latest CT)

(The tumor has shrunk significantly)

After the first treatment, there were some uncomfortable reactions, but they were within the acceptable range, and these uncomfortable symptoms disappeared after 1-2 days and did not reappear during the subsequent treatment. When my condition gradually recovered, my wife and I would go for a walk around the hospital, hike, and do some simple exercises.

At the crossroads of life

Luckily we have you to guide us

To be honest, my life was full of confusion due to my illness. I felt miserable and hopeless, and sometimes even had some negative thoughts. Fortunately, my wife was always with me during my moments of confusion. I also found a treatment method that suited me, which was a great relief.

I am grateful to my wife. From accompanying me during the treatment journey to taking care of me daily, she has always been by my side. She never hesitated to cross the ocean with me to explore new treatment options. Her encouragement has been unwavering, and I cannot express my gratitude more to her in words.

(Mr. TING and his wife)

Additionally, I would like to express my gratitude to the medical staff of this hospital. Firstly, the minimally invasive treatment technology used by the hospital saved my organs and helped me to get rid of the urine bag, which I find to be miraculous and for which I am extremely grateful. Secondly, I am thankful for the care provided by the hospital staff. They were very attentive in communicating the detailed plan before and after treatment, following up on my daily status, and celebrating festivals with patients. I feel that the hospital staff takes their responsibility towards patients seriously and is very dedicated.

Lastly, I would like to emphasize that traditional treatment methods are not the only option for cancer treatment. It is crucial to evaluate your specific needs and situation to find the most suitable treatment method for you.

*Surgery, in addition to the appropriate chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are effective in treating early cancer, but certain patients in late stage of cancer may not be tolerate surgery well as they can be relatively weak. A combination of carefully planned minimally invasive therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy can effectively reduce the side effects and discomfort of treatment and may help patient get better efficacy.