Advancing cures for women and children - KKH

Brain and solid tumours account for nearly 55 per cent of all childhood cancers in Singapore. “These can cause signifi cant physical, psychological and social impact to children and their families,” says Dr Amos Loh, chairman of the VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme.

The programme was started in 2015 to pursue advancements in care for such cancers through clinical and translational research. Programme partners include the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer and the renowned St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the United States.

Dr Loh, who is also a consultant in the Department of Paediatric Surgery at KKH, says: “In order to make progress, it is essential for healthcare professionals to be able to pool insights, share clinical experience and build on one another’s discoveries.”

Cutting-edge technology is also being employed to characterise the type of tumours encountered.

For example, using the NanoString nCounter® platform, researchers are able to measure the relative amount of genetic “signal” that each tumour displays.

This helps the research team learn more about the tumour’s genetic structure and how it behaves.

“KKH cares for many children with brain and solid tumours in Singapore. Harnessing St Jude’s knowledge and expertise, and with VIVA’s support, we are able to do far more by working collaboratively and in concert to combat the scourge of childhood cancer,” says Dr Loh.

It was this collaborative teamwork that saved the life of 10-year-old Hillary in 2016, when a swelling in her right cheek and jaw area began to rapidly increase in size in less than two weeks.

Laboratory tests resulted in a diagnosis of a malignant rhabdoid tumour of the salivary gland, which required intensive treatment, says Hillary’s primary physician, Dr Soh Shui Yen, senior consultant, Haematology/Oncology Service, KKH.

“There was a big multidisciplinary team looking after Hillary, consisting of specialists in pathology, radiology, ear nose and throat, plastic surgery, and dental and radiation oncology — all focused on one common goal of minimising the complications of therapy while giving her the best chance for a cure.”

Hillary is now in remission, with a clean bill of health during her medical evaluations in January.

Although the journey has not been easy, Hillary credits her family and the team of doctors, nurses and therapists who cared for her, helping her win the battle.

CELEBRATING HERITAGE

From a humble General Hospital, KKH has evolved through the years to become an institution dedicated to taking care of women and children with complex medical conditions

Celebrating heritage at KKH.