What's New

　　Cancer has a terrifying reputation in many people today. In particular, colorectal cancer accounts for the first place in cancer diseases. There are many people, including well-known celebrities and movie directors suffering from colorectal cancer and even have passed away, or they are some still struggling against colorectal cancer. Moreover, many patients have concerns that they would not be able to preserve the anus in the treatment process, which further results in the extreme agony physically and psychologically. CMUH International Medical Service Center Vice Superintendent and Department of Surgery Section Director Tzu-Liang Chen proposed states that colorectal cancer is mostly treated by CMUH interdisciplinary team to combine the different professions of disciplines and develop personality treatment plan for patients, which will accomplish better treatment effect by retaining the anal preservation ratio as high as 95%.  
Vice Superintendent Chen suggested that anal preservation ratio is a key indicator for treatment on colorectal cancer. Division of Colorectal Surgery Director Tao-Wei Ke stated that the division statistics reveal as high as 95% of colorectal cancer patients accept minimally invasive surgery while the rate of patients preserving anus reaches 95%, compared to the average rate of 64% in the United States (National Cancer Data Base, U.S.A.). 

Preserving anus and prognosis without recurrence, maintaining excellent living quality
　　64-year-old Mr. Lin is particularly thankful for the advantage brought by “anal preservation.” Two years ago he was seeking medical help due to defecation trouble but was diagnosed of low rectal cancer, where the tumor was 6cm from the anus in the size of 13.6cm. After five weeks of new-aid electrotherapeutics/chemotherapy, Mr. Lin received low proctectomy through da Vinci robot arm. His condition has remained stable in post-surgical follow-up and has not been discovered with partial recurrence or transfer related issues. 
　　55-year-old Mr. Xiao was diagnosed of rectal cancer in another hospital 5 years ago. The tumor is only 5cm from his anus while the physician informed him that he must “his anus must be excised and could not be preserved.” Mr. Xiao was really depressed and transferred to CMUH for treatment. “The CMUH team of physicians is really remarkable.” The surgery not only preserves the anus but also the patient has not recurred over the 5-year post-surgical follow-up. The patient has maintained a healthy life. 

SNQ- Symbol of National Quality, Interdisciplinary integration of minimally invasive surgery; delicate work of division and strong team
　　Director Tao-Wei Ke stated that CMUH Colorectal Cancer Excellence Team has received SNQ-Symbol of National Quality in “enhanced recovery after surgery” and “Natural orifice minimally invasive wound surgery.” The team also integrates divisions such as Division of Radiology Imaging and nuclear medicine to apply Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Positron Emission Tomography (PET), thereby provide precise and clear image check readings. The team conducts routine case discussion conference, where Division of Tumor, Division of Colorectal Surgery, General Surgery, Division of Radiology Tumor, and Division of Pathology collectively discuss and develop the treatment process for patients in order to enhance cancer treatment prognosis, execution of minimally invasive surgery ratio and anal preservation rate, which will substantially reduce partial recurrence and the ratio of transfer. Moreover, Chinese and western medicine integrated treatment is incorporated to reduce the discomfort with chemotherapy for the patients, providing better living quality during the treatment.
　　CMUH Colorectal Cancer Excellence Team is led by Vice Superintendent Tzu-Liang Chen, Deputy Director Hui-Ming Wang, Director Tao-Wei Ke, and Director Hong-Zhang Chen, establishing a “one-stop care” quality medical service for over 5,000 people in enteroscopy each year. The team specializes in the professional and fine division of work among physicians, endoscopy nurses, internationally certified nurses in wounds and enterostomy, and clinical nurse specialists.
　　“We spent ten years on one technology to provide the best for our patients, which makes everything meaningful and worth.” Tzu-Liang Chen indicated that the equipment for minimally invasive surgery of the division are quite new and complete, including 3D laparoscopy, 4K laparoscopy and da Vinci robot arm. The physicians are all capable of executing minimally invasive surgeries and stay in line with the development of the latest minimally invasive surgery in the world, which draws physicians and experts from other countries to learn while the division has also been invited to Europe, U.S. and Asia to share the experience. 
　　2017 International Colorectal Surgery Forum will be held in Taichung on September 23 and 24. This is the annual assembly for top-notch doctors and experts in colorectal cancer treatment from worldwide to exchange for the latest treatment related knowledge, technology and achievement. All persons interested are encouraged to attend the forum.

CMUH Division of Colorectal Surgery Director Tao-Wei Ke