Davao City, Philippines – Davao Doctors Hospital (DDH) continues to redefine the landscape of precision oncology in the region by successfully performing its first Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases. This landmark procedure marks a significant leap forward in how advanced cancer is managed in Mindanao, offering new hope to patients with oligometastatic disease.
The Case: Precision in Action
The procedure was performed on a patient diagnosed with prostatic adenocarcinoma. Despite undergoing systemic hormonal therapy, the cancer had spread to the spine (T11 and T12) and the pelvis. Traditionally, such cases are managed with palliative radiation for pain relief or lifelong systemic therapy, which can lead to debilitating side effects like extreme fatigue and hormonal imbalances.
To gain better disease control and provide the patient with a “drug holiday” from systemic treatments, the clinical team utilized SBRT. This highly advanced radiation technique delivers powerful, ablative doses directly to the tumor with sub-millimeter accuracy, effectively destroying cancer cells while protecting the adjacent spinal cord.
Expertise Shaped by International Standards
Leading this breakthrough is Dr. John Paul Abrina, a Radiation Oncologist at Davao Doctors Hospital. Dr. Abrina brings a high level of specialized expertise to the institution, having completed a one-year fellowship in Precision Radiotherapy at BC Cancer Kelowna in British Columbia, Canada.
His training in one of North America’s leading radiotherapy centers allows DDH to implement international standards of care locally. “By utilizing advanced motion management and sub-millimeter accuracy, we can now treat tumors that were previously considered too risky to radiate with high doses,” says Dr. Abrina.
A Historic First for Davao Doctors Hospital
This procedure marks the first time SBRT for spinal metastases has been performed at Davao Doctors Hospital, making it the first hospital to offer this treatment in Mindanao. While SBRT is commonly used for other body sites, its application to the spine is exceptionally complex due to the critical proximity of the spinal cord.
The successful execution of this treatment reinforces DDH’s position as a leader in medical innovation, adding to the hospital’s history of “firsts” in cardiac care and minimally invasive surgery.
Shifting the Paradigm in Cancer Care
The introduction of spinal SBRT at DDH offers three transformative benefits for the medical community and its patients:
- Ablating “Oligometastases”: For patients with limited spread, SBRT aims to completely destroy specific lesions, potentially stopping the cancer from progressing further.
- Superior Quality of Life: Unlike traditional radiation, which can take weeks to complete, SBRT is typically completed in just a few sessions. It offers faster pain control and allows patients to maintain their daily independence.
- Delaying Systemic Progression: By aggressively treating metastatic sites, SBRT can delay the need for intensive chemotherapy or hormonal therapies, giving patients a break from harsh systemic side effects.
Future Outlook: World-Class Care, Closer to Home
This procedure is a game-changer for patients suffering from various cancers that have spread to the bone, including lung, breast, and prostate cancers. It specifically addresses the need for Spinal Stability and Local Control, preventing the devastating complications of tumor-induced spinal cord compression.
With the success of this first case, Davao Doctors Hospital reaffirms its commitment to bringing world-class, precision-driven healthcare to the people of Southern Mindanao, ensuring that patients no longer need to travel far to receive the most advanced oncological treatments available today.
