Struggling in the Abyss: A Battle Against the Odds

CHONG CHEE WEI, a 46-year-old man from Malaysia, first visited a local hospital in October 2023 due to persistent left-sided headaches. What he initially dismissed as routine fatigue turned into a life-altering diagnosis: nasopharyngeal malignant tumor with bilateral cervical lymph node metastasis, the largest lesion measuring 7.5 cm in diameter.  

The diagnosis struck like a thunderbolt. Once a robust and healthy man, CHONG was confronted with the fragility of life. "When the doctor told me it was stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer, my mind went blank," CHONG recalled. "My fear wasn't just about the disease—it was about what would happen to my family." 

CHONG CHEE WEI

With his family's support, CHONG underwent two cycles of traditional treatment: nine rounds of chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiotherapy. Yet, the results fell devastatingly short. The treatment ravaged his body—severe oral dryness left him unable to produce saliva, making eating agonizing; radiation burns caused skin ulcerations; his body temperature plummeted, blood pressure fluctuated wildly, and he became bedridden, dependent on others for daily care. His weight plunged by nearly 30 kilograms in mere months. "Watching him suffer while I could do nothing as his brother was heartbreaking," said CHONG 's older brother, his voice trembling.  

Worse still, hope remained elusive. A March 2024 follow-up revealed that despite temporary tumor suppression, the cancer had recurred, with malignancy markers still alarmingly high. Doctors bluntly stated that stage IV cancer was beyond conventional control and advised him to "prepare for the worst." 

Dawn Breaks: A Dual Conquest of Body and Life

When CHONG CHEE WEI was at a loss, a friend introduced him to Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, saying that his father had been treated in the hospital with remarkable results. With a glimmer of hope, he attended a lecture held by the hospital in Kuala Lumpur in April 2024. Through the lecture, he had a preliminary understanding of the diversified treatment methods adopted by Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, including interventional therapy, minimally invasive technology, particle implantation, etc., which are very different from traditional chemotherapy in Malaysia, and rekindled his hope.

 "At that moment, I decided to take a chance, not only for myself but also for my family." he said.  

The nurse's attentive care

Accompanied by his brother, he entered Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou for the first time in April 2024. PET-CT results showed that there was still a huge active tumor residue (6.0*7.5*7.1cm) on the left side of his neck, and his condition was serious. The MDT of Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou quickly developed an individualized treatment plan for him, combining interventional therapy, targeted therapy and particle implantation therapy to precisely target the tumor. Interventional therapy is a minimally invasive treatment method that uses a very fine catheter to accurately inject high-concentration anticancer drugs into the tumor blood supply artery, which not only concentrates the drug effect, but also significantly reduces the toxic side effects of traditional chemotherapy on the whole body. Particle implantation therapy is to implant radioactive particles into the tumor through a fine needle, forming a kind of "in vivo targeted radiotherapy" that can kill cancer cells 24 hours a day with minimal damage to surrounding normal tissues.

CT before treatment

CT after treatment

CHONG CHEE WEI received four interventional treatments and one particle implantation in the hospital. The entire treatment process was almost painless, and the postoperative recovery was good. It is gratifying that within two or three days after the first interventional treatment, his mental state showed significant improvement, and his appetite and physical strength were significantly improved. As the treatment continued to advance, after the third interventional treatment combined with particle implantation, the tumor volume was significantly reduced, and no discomfort symptoms appeared. In particular, in the follow-up examination two months after the fourth interventional treatment, the examination results showed that the tumor had shrunk by two-thirds, and the cancer cell index had also dropped to a safe range. This series of positive treatment results made CHONG CHEE WEI and his brother very excited. They truly felt that life had been rekindled with hope, as if they had returned to the world from the brink of death.

Gratitude and Renewal: Embracing a Second Chance

Throughout the treatment, CHONG CHEE WEI was full of gratitude to the medical team of Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou. Whether it is the scientific accuracy of the treatment plan or the meticulous and thoughtful nursing service, it makes him feel at ease. He especially mentioned the professionalism and patience of the attending doctor Dong Kui, which gave him great confidence. In addition, he was deeply moved by the medical and service team of the ward on the sixth floor. From daily rounds, health tests to assisting in ordering meals and buying medicines, every detail was permeated with care. "The nurses on the sixth floor take care of us like family members and never get tired of my questions." CHONG CHEE WEI, "This is something we have never felt in Malaysia."

This care not only made CHONG CHEE WEI feel warm, but also deeply touched his brother, who specially wrote a thank-you letter to express his gratitude to Dr. Dong Kui.

A Thank You Letter to Dr. Dong Kui from CHONG CHEE WEI's Brother

Today, CHONG CHEE WEI's physical condition has improved significantly: the tumor has shrunk significantly, his weight has steadily recovered, and his mental state has also recovered well. He said with emotion that he almost lost the ability to take care of himself when he was in Malaysia, but now he can not only live independently, but also return to work and resume his normal life of driving to work. This change made him cherish life more and full of hope for the future.

CHONG CHEE WEI and his brother

Talking about his experience in fighting cancer, he said: "Cancer is not the end. Finding the right hospital and treatment method can rekindle hope." He encouraged all cancer patients not to give up easily, maintain confidence, and actively seek treatment.

Looking ahead, CHONG dreams of returning to Guangzhou to hike Baiyun Mountain—a symbolic journey to celebrate his rebirth.