Following the news of Dr. Willie Ong’s cancer diagnosis, netizens are now curious about understanding sarcoma, a rare cancer that has struck the popular cardiologist who has been an advocate of healthy living.
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| Doc Alvin warns how stress can be a risk factor for any type of cancer, including sarcoma Screenshot: YouTube/Doc Alvin |
Another doctor-YouTuber, Dr. Alvin Francisco, popularly known as Doc Alvin on his social media channels, shares his insights and feedback on sarcoma and how it affects individuals, such as Doc Willie.
Initial characteristics:
Doc Alvin observed Doc Willie has low energy. This weakness was evident even before his diagnosis, as his drooping shoulder could be seen in his videos. He also noticed the hoarseness in his voice. It seems that there are only vague signs of sarcoma, and it was hard to pinpoint the cause of his pain and discomfort.
“Talagang vague. Hirap siyang huminga pag mainit. Tapos kapag lumunok siya, meron daw something na nahihirapan siya. And na correlate ito sa signs of aging,” Doc Alvin said.
Back pain that moved up to his back was also one discomfort that Doc Willine shared. Doc Alvin emphasized that when symptoms persist for a long time and the pain intensifies, it’s crucial to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
CT- Guided Biopsy
Doc Willie underwent a CT-guided biopsy, which Doc Alvin explains is when a certain part of the lump is taken to be tested. It also uses a CT scan to give them detailed cross-sectional images.
The lump could be due to an infection, but it could be malignant, which is cancerous and can spread to the rest of the body. It could also be benign, non-cancerous, and doesn’t spread.
Doc Willie’s scan shows that he already has a fractured spinal column, which is why it was painful to sleep. Doc Alvin explains that as the tumor grows on his back, it causes pressure on this spine, causing intense pain.
Ultrasound and blood tests:
Doc Willie also shared that his ultrasound and blood tests were all clear, making the diagnosis difficult. Doc Alvin explained that this could be because ultrasound only shows selected body organs such as the kidney, bladder, gallbladder, and other more solid organs. If the tumor was the back of his spine, it would have been difficult to see through an ultrasound. Blood tests also do not detect all cancer, especially if there’s no family history.
Chemotherapy:
“Ang gingagawa po ng chemotherapy ay pinapatay niyan ang mga cancer cells sa katawan para hindi kumalat and lumiit ang bukol ng pasyente,” Doc Alvin shared.
Diagnosis: Malignant Nerve Sheath tumor - Sarcoma
This type of cancer appears from the nerve endings. Doc Willie’s inferior vena cava was particularly affected by the growth of the tumor. It is the largest vein, carrying deoxygenated blood from the lower body to the heart, which explains his difficulty in breathing, eating, and constant fatigue.
Sarcoma is a highly aggressive form of cancer, meaning it quickly grows or spreads to the body. When it is discovered, it’s often too large to treat or have caused damage already.
Risk Factors: Is it stress-related?
When it comes to Doc Willie, it's difficult to identify risk factors because he leads a healthy lifestyle without vices and consumes healthy foods. However, he is constantly exposed to different forms of stress, especially when he tried to enter politics.
Doc Willie has been a target of many bashers and hate comments that it affected his health. This kind of exposure can have a huge impact on anyone’s mental and physical health.
Doc Alvin’s advice to avoid stress because it can lower our immunity, making us more prone to sickness. Other risk factors include:
- Exposure to harmful chemicals like smoking,
- Consuming highly processed foods
- Other genetic conditions
He emphasized the importance of self-care by managing stress and not contributing to others' stress. “Umiwas tayo sa stress, at tayo rin kung wala tayong magandang sasabihin sa ating kapwa ay dapat sa sarili na lang natin,” he added.
You can watch the rest of the video from Doc Alvin’s YouTube channel:
