Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Opens "Kidney Cancer Survivor Health Clinic"

The Catholic University of Korea Seoul St. Mary's Hospital announced that it has opened the "Kidney Cancer Survivor Health Clinic" for systematic health management of long-term survivors after kidney cancer treatment, and held a blessing ceremony at the Department of Family Medicine outpatient clinic on April 14.

Recently, kidney cancer has been increasing among relatively younger adults aged 30 to 50, and the five-year survival rate is reported to exceed 90% when detected early and treated with precision therapies such as robotic surgery. Given these favorable outcomes, it is crucial for cancer patients to manage a variety of health issues following treatment, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic conditions, and decreased kidney function. Additionally, cancer survivors commonly experience psychological challenges such as anxiety about recurrence or secondary cancers and chronic fatigue. These factors highlight the growing need for comprehensive lifelong health management in the field of "cancer survivor medicine."

Seoul St. Mary's Hospital opened the 'Kidney Cancer Survivor Health Clinic' on the 14th to provide systematic health management for long-term survivors after kidney cancer treatment. Seoul St. Mary's Hospital

In response, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital has established a multidisciplinary integrated care system based on collaboration between the departments of urology and family medicine, introducing a tailored program that covers recurrence surveillance, chronic disease management, lifestyle improvement, and mental health support. The goal is to provide integrated lifelong primary care services for kidney cancer survivors, who face increased risks of recurrence, secondary cancers, and chronic diseases after cancer treatment. In addition, the hospital has introduced a smart healthcare program that allows patients to enter their daily health data via the dedicated Seoul St. Mary's Hospital health app and receive coaching from medical staff during clinic visits, thereby enabling interactive communication for lifestyle improvements.

The clinic is intended for patients who have undergone nephrectomy for kidney cancer, have remained recurrence- and metastasis-free for more than five years, and are eligible for outpatient follow-up. The Department of Urology selects long-term follow-up patients, after which a dedicated oncology nurse guides them through the ongoing care program, and family medicine collaborative care is provided to those who consent.

The main programs include: ▲ Annual abdominal and chest CT scans for recurrence and secondary cancer screening ▲ Chronic disease management through basic blood and urine tests ▲ Age-related health management for conditions such as obesity, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis ▲ Lifestyle interventions including smoking cessation, exercise, and nutrition counseling ▲ Management of depression, anxiety, and insomnia ▲ Adult vaccinations ▲ Management of cancer pain and chronic fatigue ▲ Linkage with home healthcare services.

The blessing ceremony was officiated by Vice President of Spiritual Affairs Father Shin Hee-joon, and attended by Hospital President Professor Lee Ji-yeol, Executive Vice President Father Choi Ye-won, Vice President of Nursing Kim Hye-kyung, Clinical Director of Urology Ha Yoo-shin, Professors Hong Seong-hoo and Park Yong-hyun, Clinical Director of Family Medicine Choi Chang-jin, Professors Kim Cheol-min and Shin Hyun-young, along with other key officials and staff members.

Professor Ha Yoo-shin of the Department of Urology explained the clinic's background, stating, "According to research in the United States, 75% of kidney cancer survivors die from causes unrelated to cancer; therefore, for those who have survived more than five years after surgery without recurrence, managing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions is essential." He added, "We expect this to mark the beginning of 'total care,' addressing not only the comorbidities and lifestyle management of cancer survivors but also mental health concerns such as depression that may arise during the treatment process."

Professor Choi Chang-jin of the Department of Family Medicine commented, "Advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment technologies are increasing the survival rates not only for kidney cancer but for all cancer survivors, and the importance of health management after treatment is growing." He continued, "The Kidney Cancer Survivor Health Clinic will serve as an integrated care model that goes beyond the limitations of fragmented care, aiming to improve long-term survivors' health and quality of life."

Since the inauguration of Hospital President Lee Ji-yeol, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital plans to sequentially open tailored clinics for each type of cancer, starting with the kidney cancer survivor program. The hospital is expected to expand systematic support so that a continuous care model can be established to proactively manage the various health risks that may arise in patients after cancer treatment.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.