TMC Launches the Philippines' First Colorectal Clinic

Premier health institution The Medical City announces the opening of its Colorectal Clinic, the first hospital-based specialty clinic in the Philippines that offers leading-edge medical and surgical interventions and treatment for a broad spectrum of colon and rectal disorders.

The Colorectal Clinic is managed by a nationally-renowned team of board-certified experts in the Philippines headed by Dr. Manuel Francisco Roxas, president of the Philippine Society of Colorectal Surgeons and president-elect of the ASEAN Society of Colorectal Surgeons.
Dr. Roxas is joined by Dr. Robert Chang, vice president of the Philippine Society of Colorectal Surgeons and Dr. Angelo Cajucom. The team also includes the Philippines’ only two female colorectal surgeons - Dr. Cathy Co and Dr. Dionne Parreno-Sacdalan. They are also joined by TMC’s high-quality roster of gastroenterologists headed by Dr. Carla Sibulo.

Carlo Angelo C. Cajucom, M.D., Dionne Parreño-Sacdalan, M.D., Manuel T. Francisco (Ramy) Roxas, M.D., 
Catherine S. Co, M.D., Robert L. Chang, M.D.

What is Colorectal Cancer? Colorectal cancer is among the top five most common cancers in the Philippines today. Recent statistics however showed that the Philippines has a higher colorectal cancer mortality compared to other countries. Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. The colon and the rectum cancer begin in the digestive system. This kind of cancer usually starts as polyps, which are abnormal growths in the inner lining of the colon or the rectum. Colorectal cancer symptoms normally don't exist but when these occur the following maybe experienced: rectal bleeding, prolonged diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain and body weakness.

“With good screening and early diagnosis, 90% of colorectal cancers are curable," Dr. Roxas says. Screening and a multi-modality treatment such as chemotherapy, pre-operative radiotherapy and surgery are among the factors responsible for improving colorectal cancer outcomes.

Dr. Roxas says a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which doesn’t cost much, is recommended for everyone aged 50 and above. This test should be done every year after age 50. The other alternative is to undergo colonoscopy every five (5) to ten (10) years. Those with strong family history of colorectal cancer or those with two or more family members who had the disease should be screened earlier, ideally 10 years before the age of diagnosis of their relatives with colorectal cancer.

The Colorectal Clinic offers cancer screening tests which include FOBT, diagnostic and therapeutic flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.
“Colonoscopy is one of the most unloved cancer tests but it can save lives. It is the most accurate test for colorectal cancer,” says Dr. Roxas.
The Colorectal Clinic likewise provides expert diagnoses and multimodality treatments for colorectal cancer which include Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and surgery. The Clinic promotes minimally invasive procedures for early cases as well as radical operations for advanced and recurrent cases. Laparoscopic surgery, Trans Anal Endoscopic Microsurgery, and robotic-assisted surgery are among the minimally invasive procedures being offered by the Clinic.

The Colorectal Clinic also caters to patients with anorectal diseases such as hemorrhoids, perianal infection, fistula, fissures, and fecal incontinence to name a few. It offers various treatment options for hemorrhoids such as rubber band ligation, THD or Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD) and stapled hemorrhoidectomy which are proven to be less painful than traditional surgery.

The Clinic integrates and coordinates services with The Medical City’s other units namely: Cancer Center, Center for Endoscopy and Physiologic Studies, Stoma and Complex Wound Clinic, Center for Wellness and Aesthetics, Departments of Surgery, Pathology, Radiology, and Radiation Oncology and Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine. For sexually transmitted diseases of the anus such as anal warts, the Colorectal Clinic works hand in hand with the Infectious Disease Section and the I-REACT clinic. I-REACT stands for I Am Responsible thru Early Assessment, Consultation and Treatment. It is the first institutionalized clinic in the country that handles emerging infections (e.g. H1N1), international health, travel medicine and focuses on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cases as its immediate priority.

The Colorectal Clinic is located at the 2nd Floor, Podium Bldg, The Medical City in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City. For more information, please contact tel. nos. 988-1000 or 988-7000 ext. 6214.