breast cancer | A Cross-Border Journey of Hope: An 83-Year-Old Indonesian Grandma’s Triumph Over Cancer

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22.Arriving at the local branch office for a free remote consultations
33.Local branch office assisting visa application
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A Cross-Border Journey of Hope: An 83-Year-Old Indonesian Grandma’s Triumph Over Cancer

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2025-12-28
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JUSTINE SUPIT Indonesia: Diseases：Breast Cancer; Treatment programs：Interventional Therapy

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Kuala LumpurPenang

Unexpected Diagnosis with Ineffective ConventionalTreatments

In December 2023, 83-year-old Justine discovered a small, hard lump in her left breast while bathing. Mistaking it for inflammation, she tried traditional herbal patches from her hometown, Manado. However, the mass grew rapidly over three months, accompanied by persistent pain that disrupted her sleep. Family members insisted on taking her to the local hospital for treatment. The local ultrasound suggested malignancy, but delayed diagnosis due to limited medical resources and equipments in the local allowed her condition to worsen.

By July 2024, her family sought treatment in Singapore, where she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (Grade III, HER2-positive, ER/PR-negative) with lymph node metastases in her armpits and collarbones. Despite three months of chemotherapy in Singapore, her tumor expanded to 4.4×5.5cm (SUVmax 18.4), with thickened, reddened breast skin and escalating pain. Uncontrolled hypertension exacerbated by chemotherapy side effects further deteriorated her health, leaving her family desperate.

Justine

Finding A Lifeline Across National Border

Amid the crisis, Justine’s younger sister—an Indonesian professional physician，she was deeply concerned about her aunt's condition and well aware of the unique challenges in treating elderly patients with breast cancer. Through peer recommendations, she learned that Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhouhas extensive experience in minimally invasive interventional treatment for breast cancer, especially offering mature, low-side-effect treatment options for elderly patients, making it a safer and more controllable choice. Although Justin is elderly and seeking medical treatment abroad carries significant risks, his family is unwilling to give up hope. After consulting with the Makassar International Service Center, the family chose comprehensive interventional therapy to minimize systemic toxicity. In October 2024, Justine arrived accompanied by his family and embarked on a cross-border medical journey in Guangzhou.

The hospital’s multidisciplinary team (MDT) conducted thorough evaluations. CT scans revealed a 7×8cm tumor invading the pectoralis major muscle and skin, featuring hardness, Locally red skin. obvious pain when pressing, with axillary lymph node involvement but no distant metastasis. Considering her age, hypertension, and prior chemotherapy resistance, doctors tailored an precise treatment plan -arterial perfusion chemotherapy.

Before Treatment VS. After treatment

From October 2024 to January 2025, Justine underwent four minimally invasive arterial perfusion sessions. Through only a 2mm incision, chemotherapy drugs (2-92 times more concentrated than systemic doses) were delivered directly through a fine catheter to the tumor which kill cancer cells more effectively while reducing systemic side effects. Pain relief began after the first session. By the second session, imaging confirmed tumor shrinkage. The third session normalized her CA-125 levels (from 1818 U/mL), and the fourth showed reduced tumor vasculature, achieving partial remission (PR). The whole treatment effect is delightful. Her blood pressure stabilized, appetite improved, and thickened skin gradually healed. Remarkably, she could stroll in the hospital’s rooftop garden with her niece’s support.

Renewed Life：Being Grateful for Compassionate Mediacal Care

During his admission, Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou’s holistic and compassionate care deeply moved Justine and her family. Indonesian translators ensured seamless communication, dietitians customized meals according to his habits, and nurses provided round-the-clock attention, even the slightest discomfort is responded to immediately. Medical staffs alleviated her fears and pain with expertise and empathy which made the foreign elderly man and his family feel very touched by their warmly holistic care.

Justine and her family

“The doctors here heal not just the body but also the soul with kindness,” her niece remarked. True to its patient-centered philosophy, the hospital perfectly blends cutting-edge technology with compassionate humanistic care, personalizing treatment plans for each patient.，prioritizing safety and quality of life—especially for elderly patients.

Today, Justine returns to Indonesia with renewed hope. Her anti-cancer journey exemplifies resilience and the power of modern medicine. With exquisite medical and compassionate care, Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou continues to prove that age is no barrier to overcoming cancer and hope is here. Through its global expertise and heartfelt care, this international institution shares the warmth and strength of Chinese healthcare over the world, one success story at a time.

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