[건강한 가족] ‘One team’ of medical and support personnel to spread hope to blood cancer patients

Park Jin-woo (pseudonym), who is living a healthy life after two hematopoietic stem cell transplants and immunotherapy treatments, visited Konkuk University Hospital on the 6th for regular examinations. From the left of the photo, Mr. Park’s mother and Mr. Park, nurse Hee-kyung Jeon, and Professor Hong-ki Lee, dedicated to education for cancer patients. Visiting Reporter Kim Dong-Ha

Park Jin-woo (pseudonym, 20), a recurring blood cancer patient, is facing a cure after two hematopoietic stem cell transplants and immunotherapy. He is living a healthy life for the third year after being judged for complete relevance in which cancer cells have died. Six years ago (14 years old), Park visited the hospital due to severe cough and headache symptoms, and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is a blood cancer that occurs mainly in children and adolescents. It is a disease that invades the liver and lymph system by turning white blood cells into malignant cells.

Park received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant, considered to be the final stage of treatment for leukemia, until the age of 17, but both recurred. For Park’s next treatment plan, who had been relapsed and refractory, the medical staff at Konkuk University Hospital’s Hematology Cancer Center conducted a chromosome and molecular genetics test, including a cytoimmune test, to Mr. Park. As a result, a specific antigen (CD19) attached to leukemia cells was found, and an immunological anticancer drug (ingredient name blinatumomab) that is predicted to be effective was selected and administered. It is a new drug that destroys leukemia cells by activating immune cells (T cells) in the blood. Park’s main doctor Lee Hong-ki, a professor of oncology and hematology at Konkuk University Hospital, said, “It has led to good results by selecting items that are expected to be suitable for Park among various tests, predicting patient reactions to drugs, and establishing treatment plans such as preventing complications. He said, “Since the recurrence rate of blood cancer is more than 90% within 2 years, it seems that Park, who has been living healthy for 3 years, has a high possibility of cure.

Hematologic cancer is a cancer that requires precise diagnosis and complication management. This is because hematologic cancer is subdivided into more than 100 types, and there is a high risk of death due to severe complications in the treatment process. Konkuk University Hospital’s Blood Cancer Center is improving the quality of blood cancer treatment through systematic and comprehensive cooperation. Professor Hongki Lee said, “We are equipped with the latest medical equipment such as advanced diagnostic techniques and imaging tests based on genes, etc. as a standard.” “We have built a system that allows caregivers and medical staff to focus on treatment.”

The first thing that determines the competitiveness of blood cancer treatment is precise diagnosis. At Konkuk University Hospital’s Hematology Cancer Center, specialists in hematology, infectious medicine, cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, diagnostic laboratory medicine, pathology, and radiology specialists participate in the diagnosis process. They share clinical information, such as abnormal findings and test results from the patient’s physical examination, and exchange medical findings from time to time. Based on this, a diagnosis is made by synthesizing the results of a biopsy and imaging test, and a treatment plan is established. Professor Lee said, “There are standard treatment methods, but because patient cases are diverse, it is the experience and know-how of the medical staff to decide which drug to use and at what time.” “The culture that is in place is in place, so we are deriving rational and effective treatments.”

In hematologic cancer, consultation is also a major system for the treatment of severe infections. Blood cancer can cause severe, fatal infections with severely reduced immune function during treatment. In this case, if the treatment is missed, the patient may die within a few hours. In the case of acute leukemia, for example, the number of white blood cells decreases, increasing the risk of developing fungal infections or severe infections such as cytomegalovirus. Leukemia cells can travel through the blood and spread throughout the body, causing damage to major organs such as the liver, lungs, and brain. Symptoms of anemia as red blood cells drop sharply, and bleeding symptoms as platelets drop sharply. Professor Lee said, “The treatment plan varies depending on the test items and diagnosis results that reflect the patient’s specific situation, such as the clinical characteristics suspected of being infected.” “The cooperation between specialists who judges should work well,” he said.

In the treatment of hematologic cancer where the onset and progression of the disease is rapid, the competence of specialists and nurses who are in close contact with patients 24 hours and support specialists is also important. At Konkuk University Hospital’s Hematology Cancer Center, excellent training-trained support personnel monitor vital signs of blood cancer patients, and recognize and cope with risk factors early. The abnormal symptoms that have occurred in the patient are quickly identified and treatment begins immediately.

Collaboration with medical support departments such as clinical pharmacists, social workers, nutritionists, and nurses in charge of insurance review helps patients and guardians focus on treatment. Konkuk University Hospital’s Blood Cancer Center has a system in which the two teams regularly collaborate by placing the department of treatment and the department of treatment support in close proximity to each other. It deals with various aspects, such as providing nutrition education to patients and guardians, and providing medical expenses to patients in need of financial support. Professor Lee said, “The most important thing in the treatment of blood cancer is that the medical staff, patients, and guardians closely communicate and trust each other along with patience and physical strength. You just have to receive it,” he said.

Reporter Lee Min-young [email protected]