Access to Surgical Treatment for Hepatopancreaticobiliary Cancer in the Philippines

• Main Authors: Co, Luis Miguel B, Puno, F. Lorenzo Martin A, Ong, Erika P., Ho, Frances Dominique V., Eala, Michelle Ann B., Dee, Edward Christopher, Maslog, Ethan Angelo S., Barroso, Ryan T., PAHPBS Philippine Association of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgeons, Kingham, T. Peter, Ang, Samuel D., Ang, Christian Daniel U.
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2024
• Subjects: Medical Sciences; Medicine and Health Sciences; Neoplasms; Oncology; Surgery
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/asmph-pubs/147; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2023.09.051
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

Hepatopancreaticobiliary cancers are among the most diagnosed cancers in the world. However, although high-income countries have the highest incidence rates, low- and middle-income countries have the highest mortality rates. In this article, we describe the geographic distribution of board-certified hepatopancreaticobiliary surgeons who provide surgical management for patients with these diseases in the Philippines. We draw attention to the geographic disparities in the distribution of these surgeons and the other factors that contribute to the lack of access. Lastly, we suggest ways forward.