October 2024 MDT Session by AFROC and ICI
Held Virtually – October 2024
Building on the momentum from its inaugural session, the African Forum for Research and Oncology Collaboration (AFROC), in partnership with the International Cancer Institute (ICI), convened its second virtual Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting in October 2024. The session brought together oncologists, surgeons, and clinicians across Africa and Europe to discuss upper gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers.
Panel and Speaker
The expert panel included leaders in oncology and surgery:
- Dr. Michael, Consultant Surgeon and Endoscopist at Avenue Healthcare (Nairobi), Vice President of the Surgical Society of Kenya, and Chair of the Education & Research Committee of the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa.
- Prof. Florian Lodic, Director of Medicine at the University of Leipzig, Germany, and Head of Oncology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Pulmonology at Leipzig Medical Center.
Featured Presentation
The clinical spotlight was on Dr. Leanne Prado, an Upper GI and HPB Surgeon at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and the University of the Witwatersrand. She delivered a presentation titled “Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.”
Case Summary
Patient: 54-year-old male with progressive dysphagia and weight loss.
Findings: Diagnosed with lower esophageal cancer and regional lymph node involvement.
Treatment Path:
- Underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation.
- Post-treatment imaging showed significant tumor response.
- The MDT evaluated surgical timing, lymph node clearance, and long-term outcomes.
“The question now becomes — what is the optimal time to operate and what surgical margins can we realistically aim for?” – Dr. Prado
The discussion emphasized the importance of patient selection and intraoperative planning after chemoradiotherapy, especially in resource-variable settings.
Key Takeaways
- Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for personalized cancer care.
- The session encouraged adapting global protocols to African contexts.
- Attendees praised the value of real-world case presentations and cross-border expertise.
“The regional insights are so valuable — they show how we can adapt protocols effectively on the ground.”
🎥 Watch the Full October Session:
Click to View Recording
