Monday, March 7, 2022

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

“Always remember that here at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, you have a village of medical experts working hand in hand to save lives.” ~Dr. Michael Louis A. Gimenez, Chairman of the Brain and Spine Institute

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


It Takes a Village to Save a Life: A Webicon on the multidisciplinary approach to brain and spine tumour management. In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of gathering medical experts with different specializations in treating brain and spine tumors, Cardinal Santos Medical Center.

Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) zeroes in on brain and spine tumors in its latest webicon entitled, “It Takes A Village to Save A Life: A Webicon on the Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management.” The webicon was held on February 24 via ZOOM and Facebook livestreaming.

Together with its top medical experts from the Brain and Spine Institute, CSMC debunked common myths about brain and spine tumors and discussed the different types of treatments and ways to provide the best, most holistic care to a patient. 


It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


🧑‍⚕️Dr. Gilbert J. Rañoa, Training Officer of Spine Fellowship Program
🧑‍⚕️Dr. Ma. Luisa T. Abesamis-Tiambeng, Chairman of Cancer Institute
🧑‍⚕️Dr. Theodor S. Vesagas, Clinical Director of the Philippine Gamma Knife Center

Moderated by the Chairman of the Brain and Spine Institute, Dr. Michael Louis A. Gimenez.


Dr. Gimenez opened the webicon by touching on the different signs and symptoms of brain or spine tumors. Meanwhile, Dr. Vesagas explained the benefits of CSMC’s multidisciplinary approach to treating tumors. He noted that a team effort in diagnosis and treatment allows patients to receive consistent and timely care, and increases patient satisfaction.

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


Dr. Vesagas also talked about Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, a procedure that is only currently available at CSMC. The goal of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery is to control or stop the growth of the tumor, and allows for excellent control in the removal of tumors with minimal morbidity. 

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


Dr. Rañoa then elaborated on other innovative open surgery treatment options that CSMC offers, such as Stereotactic Biopsy, where neurosurgeons use a needle to obtain tissue from the brain, as well as Awake Craniotomy, which can only be done if an intraoperative neurostimulator is available, and is used to remove tumors in more critical parts of the brain. 

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


Dr. Tiambeng spoke about non-surgical tumor management, and wrapped up the team’s discussion with some reminders and practical tips to follow for when one schedules a checkup for possible tumors.

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


Mr. Rodel Perez, a 45-year-old OFW based in Dubai and one of CSMC’s patients, was also present as a speaker. Perez recounted his experience after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, which was about the size of a medium-sized lemon. He noted CSMC’s world-class methods and facilities, praising the compassionate care and sincerity the doctors and nurses of CSMC had towards him during his treatment.

It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management



When asked how they could encourage Filipinos to seek medical advice over checking their symptoms on the internet.
“The Philippine Alliance for Brain and Spine Tumors [is a] foundation [that] is helping and has helped hundreds of patients get free treatments. There is also Cardinal Charities Foundations, which helps indigent patients get big discounts or even free procedures. The internet cannot treat you—Google cannot treat you it can only give you information.” ~Dr. Gilbert J. Rañoa, Training Officer of Spine Fellowship Program

Despite being a powerful tool in gathering information, a specialist’s intervention is still essential in treating any illness. 


It Takes a Village to Save a Life: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Brain and Spine Tumor Management


For more information about the Brain and Spine Institute, as well as other services that CSMC offers, please visit https://cardinalsantos.com.ph/. CSMC is also on Facebook, like and follow them at www.facebook.com/CardinalSantos.














ABOUT CARDINAL SANTOS MEDICAL CENTER
Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) is a 269-bed private tertiary hospital located in West Greenhills, San Juan City. The hospital is known for its pioneering and world-class services in the fields of Neurosurgery, Oncology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Cardiology, and Minimally Invasive Surgery. CSMC boasts of some of the most respected medical professionals today with expertise in a variety of specialties, ensuring that patients can access the healthcare that they need and deserve. With a commitment to clinical excellence, and a dedication to compassionate care, CSMC is one of the most sought-after medical institutions in the country today.

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