ON December 2, 2023, Dr. Shawn Xiao and Dr. Paker Yan, two doctors of the 2nd China medical team in Solomon Islands, successfully guided local surgeons and ultrasound doctors from NRH in performing the first-ever ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy at National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Solomon Islands.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among patients at the urological specialist outpatient clinic of NRH in the Solomon Islands. Currently, ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is an internationally recommended diagnostic method for prostate cancer. It is known for its safety, accuracy, simplicity, minimal trauma, quick recovery, low infection risk, and minimal use of medical resources, making it particularly suitable for the conditions in Solomon Islands.
However, due to the lack of this medical skill training for local doctors, standardized diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer could not be effectively implemented. Many prostate cancer patients in Solomon Islands missed the optimal treatment time, leading to cancer cell metastasis and worsening conditions.
The procedure was performed for two elderly male patients from the local area who sought treatment at the urological specialist outpatient clinic due to generalized bone pain and difficulty in urination. Dr. Shawn Xiao, a senior doctor of the Department of Urology at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou, China, carefully examined them and found hard nodules in their prostates, with elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in their blood, exceeding the normal range. Following international treatment guidelines and considering the existing local medical conditions, Dr. Shawn Xiao advised them to do ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies.
After thorough communication with the patients, their families, and local doctors, Dr Shawn guided local doctors in conducting the first ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy at the outpatient operation theater of NRH. The procedure went smoothly, and six doctors from NRH, including Dr. Augustine Melly, Dr. Walter Lea’amana, and Dr. Emmie Karovo, participated in the procedure.
After the procedure, Dr. Shawn demonstrated and explained the methods, advantages and disadvantages of both the perineal and transrectal approaches. Dr. Parker, a nephrologist from the 2nd China Medical Team, also assisted in the training. During the training, local surgical and ultrasound doctors showed great enthusiasm for learning and gained an understanding of the importance of a multidisciplinary collaborative treatment team (MDT) for cancer patients.
The successful implementation of this procedure marks a new era for standardized diagnosis and treatment of cancer with surgical approaches in NRH, building the local surgeons’ skills to a new level and opening a new chapter in Solomon Islands.
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