Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital

The 2^nd Hallym-KPUM International Symposium was held at the Hanmaeum Hall of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital on November 5, 2010.

Under the theme, 'Recent Advances in the Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers,' six medical experts from Japan and Hallym were invited, and about 200 participants from universities and hospitals attended this meeting. Among the dignitaries of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine(KPUM) at the symposium included President Hasakazu Yamagishi, Dr. Shinji Fushiki, professor & chair of the department of pathology & applied neurobiology, Dr. Yuji Naito of molecular gastroenterology & hepatology, Dr. Nobuaki Yagi of molecular gastroentereology & hepatology, and Dr. Takeshi Ishikawa of gastroenterology & hepatology.

At the opening, Dr. Yong-Sun Kim, Executive Vice President for Health and Biomedical Sciences at Hallym University, said, "As we all recognize today, the number of patients with gastrointestinal cancer is rapidly growing, showing one of the top ten attack rates of cancers in Korea. Fortunately, however, as we are witnessing significant advances in therapies and prevention, I do believe the symposium today will be an excellent opportunity to discuss ways to combat the gastrointestinal cancers."

President Yamagishi responded by saying, "I am convinced that expert knowledge of the presenters and extensive experiences would help us identify the problems of gastrointestinal cancers, and explore ways to relieve human beings of their sufferings."

Presentations and discussions focused on two sessions: diagnosis and prevention of gastric cancers and surgical treatment.

Hallym's new collaboration with KPUM dates back to February this year, when the Hallym delegation, which was led by President Young-Sun Lee of Hallym University, visited Kyoto, and signed an affiliation agreement for academic exchange. In commemoration of the mutual cooperation, both institutions shared their medical knowledge and clinical experiences at the 1^st KPUM-Hallym symposium, under the theme of 'Toward Our Collaborative Research on Human Neurological Diseases.'

The specific programs including topics and speakers are as follows:

■ Session 1

1. The Efficacies of Magnifying Image Enhanced Endoscopy (IEE) with Flexible Spectral Imaging Color Enhancement (FICE) and Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) for the High Quality ESD for Gastric Cancers in Japan

Nobuaki Yagi, MD, PhD
Dept. of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan

2. The Current Status of Therapeutic Endoscopy in Korea
Kyoung Oh Kim, MD, PhD
Dept. Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine
Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Korea

3. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection(ESD) for Colorectal Tumors; Diagnosis and Therapeutic Procedure for Preventing Complications
Yuji Naito, MD, PhD
Dept. of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology,
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan

■ Session 2

1. Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery for Colorectal Cancers

Byung Chun Kim, MD, PhD
Dept. of Surgery, Hallym University College of Medicine
Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Korea

2. The Endoscopic Insertion and Revision of Bilateral Metal Stents for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma
Jong Hyeok Kim, MD, PhD
Dept. Internal Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine
Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Korea

3. Immunotherapy in Combination with Chemotherapy and Thermotherapy for the Digestive Cancers
Takeshi Ishikawa, MD, PhD
Dept. of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan

By Jong Hun Im, Int’l Operations Team, HUMC (imjonghun@hallym.or.kr)