Preface ‘Changing Trend in Peritoneal Surface Oncology in Asian Countries’

摘要

Since the early phase of emergence of peritoneal surface on- cology as an oncologic specialty, Asia has contributed to de- veloping innovative therapies chiefly through the work of Japanese oncologists. Asia is the world’s largest continent covering 30% of its land area and harboring 60% of its total population. It is also the continent in which the widest socio- economic disparities exist between different countries. Cancer therapy itself is expensive and many Asian countries are still struggling to provide affordable cancer care to all their citi- zens. The surgical treatment of peritoneal surface malignan- cies comprising of cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy is one of most complex surgical procedures in oncology. Both multidisciplinary expertise and infrastructure are needed to start a peritoneal surface malignancy program offering such treatment. On one hand there is Japan, that has pioneered the treatment of these malignancies in the world and on the other, over 30/45 countries (excluding Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkey) in Asia do not have a single center offering definitive treatment for peritoneal metastases. Additionally, this treatment is covered by national health care policies only in some of the countries and only for specific indications in most of them. Thus, for a large proportion of the population residing in this continent, such treatment is only available to those who are aware of it and can afford it.