A Haven from the Storm for Severely Ill Children

The KFSYSCC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department often confronts a wide variety of challenging diseases that span across organs and tissues throughout the body. Fortunately, KFSYSCC boasts a robust multidisciplinary team, with experts in thoracic, abdominal, urology, gynecology, neurology, orthopedic surgery, anesthesiology, and radiology providing solid support.

Nurturing and Inspiring

For three decades, under the visionary leadership of President Andrew T. Huang, the establishment of the country's premier cancer hospital has heralded the sustained growth of the KFSYSCC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department.

A vivid memory from 2012 is that of a young boy from the southern part of Taiwan who was brought in with recurrent leukemia, which was proving difficult to treat. The institution originally caring for him had identified the urgency of a high-risk transplant to manage his leukemia. Although an HLA-compatible non-relative stem cell donor had been found, the daunting post-transplant complications deterred their transplant team. With mounting concern, the boy’s parents sought assistance from the KFSYSCC team.

After a meticulous multi-disciplinary evaluation, the KFSYSCC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department chose to undertake this formidable challenge. Following the transplant, the child faced respiratory failure, intubation, a successful transplant, lung complications, graft rejection, and a series of targeted immunotherapies. The triumphant conclusion of this harrowing journey earned the team a “Courage Award” from President Huang, which provided solace to the patient and his family, and inspired the entire department.

In 2018, this boy, having braved and overcome his relapsed leukemia, returned to the hospital for the "Bone Marrow Transplant Reunion" event. He expressed his gratitude to the non-relative donor from 2012, moving everyone present. His journey was made possible by the unwavering dedication of the KFSYSCC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department and their embodiment of the KFSYSCC spirit: fearless, selfless, and tireless care.

Formation of a Multidisciplinary Team

Given KFSYSCC’s specialization in oncology and the absence of a general pediatrics unit, as found in larger hospitals or children's hospitals, many pediatric cancer patients arrive with extensive medical histories. Often, they come after visits to several major medical centers, presenting with complex and severe conditions. Thankfully, KFSYSCC boasts a robust multi-disciplinary team. This collective expertise in thoracic, abdominal, urological, gynecological, neurological, orthopedic, anesthetic, and radiological fields ensures comprehensive care for children, regardless of the challenging diagnoses like various leukemias, germ cell tumors, brain tumors, lymphomas, histiocytosis, neuroblastomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, Ewing's sarcomas, and more.

For instance, in 2015, a high school student with a rare mediastinal lymphoma was transferred to KFSYSCC. After undergoing a major surgery at his previous institution and facing subsequent complications, he was managed with targeted and chemotherapeutic agents by the KFSYSCC team and is now thriving at a prestigious university in the U.S. Similarly, another girl with the same rare mediastinal lymphoma in 2018 sought a second opinion at KFSYSCC before a major surgery. She was promptly treated with targeted therapies combined with chemotherapy, avoiding the need for invasive surgery, and is now pursuing higher studies in the UK. There are numerous other cases of metastatic germ cell tumors, with histories of relapse or complications, who have found healing at KFSYSCC through appropriate chemotherapy, combined transplantation, targeted treatments, and the collaborative expertise of various surgical departments.

In essence, the KFSYSCC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department remains unwavering in their commitment, successfully taking on cases transferred from other institutions and exemplifying excellence in care.

Collaboration at its Finest: The Pinnacle of Medical Progress

At the forefront of global medical innovation, KFSYSCC has long been dedicated to advancing inter-institutional and international collaborations. This commitment dates back to 1998 when the hospital established Taiwan's premier public umbilical cord blood bank. In the years following, a state-of-the-art hematopoietic stem cell transplantation ward was inaugurated, serving as the final line of defense for patients with blood tumors and rare childhood diseases.

Consider the heart-wrenching case of a young boy whose journey from birth included challenges like developmental delays, purpura, and aplastic anemia. Despite seeking treatment at nearly every major medical center in Taiwan, it wasn’t until 2014, when he was nearing the age of five, that he came under the care of the KFSYSCC pediatric hematology-oncology team. In a groundbreaking collaboration with the Central Research Institute's molecular biology team and Boston Children's Hospital, they diagnosed the child with a rare congenital telomere defect. A sophisticated non-related stem cell transplant was executed, transforming the young boy’s weekly hospital visits to memories of the past. Today, he enjoys the simple pleasures of school, free from constant transfusions and recurrent infections.

Such stories of hope and resilience are plentiful. The hospital has actively engaged with international rare disease associations, like the International Myositis Association and the International Pleural Pulmonary Blastoma Association, ensuring timely interventions and employing cutting-edge treatments for children with rare cancers. Partnerships with the National Health Research Institutes for molecular diagnostics and cord blood supply from Xunlian Technology have been instrumental in turning the tide for children with life-threatening conditions.

Technical Milestones Achieved

With the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center’s robust foundation in stem cell therapy, the pediatric hematology-oncology team has been instrumental in rescuing children with an array of conditions ranging from recurrent acute lymphoblastic leukemia to various sarcomas and rare diseases. Notably, the team has made considerable advances in the realm of pediatric oncology. Their stem cell treatment techniques, initiated in 2013, have benefitted many children with rare diseases and blood cancers. Furthermore, their pioneering tri-sequential hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, initiated in 2013, saved a patient from the south with recurrent mediastinal malignant germ cell tumors and has since saved numerous similar patients.

Dignity in Life's Final Moments

While many children are referred to KFSYSCC in pursuit of aggressive treatments, not all stories culminate in recovery. Nonetheless, KFSYSCC’s unwavering promise to provide holistic care for the patient and their families means that even in the face of the inevitable, dignity is maintained. Their palliative care team, exemplary in its compassion, ensures that the end-of-life journey is traversed with grace and respect.

Guardians of Continued Evolution

Reflecting on the evolution of pediatric hematology-oncology, one can’t help but admire the strides made by KFSYSCC. From establishing a bone marrow stem cell center to the rapid developments in treatments ranging from antibiotics to monoclonal antibodies, the hospital has been at the epicenter of medical progress. With a resolute commitment to continuous learning and collaboration with global experts, KFSYSCC’s pediatric hematology-oncology team remains devoted to confronting challenging cases, ensuring comprehensive and precise treatments. Their mission, fortified by years of experience, is to continue to shine, offering a safe haven for children battling life-threatening conditions.