Description
Hiren Divecha, a Revision Arthroplasty Surgeon from Wrightington Hospital, presents on the management of metastatic bone disease, highlighting his journey in establishing a service dedicated to treating patients with this complex condition. He emphasizes the increasing incidence of cancers and the significance of maintaining function and quality of life for affected patients. Although not a fellowship-trained sarcoma surgeon, Divecha's passion for the subject shines through as he discusses his background, experiences, and the collaborative effort required in managing such patients.
Divecha provides a timeline of the service development since his appointment in 2017, transitioning from ad-hoc referrals in a trauma clinic to an organized elective service with dedicated clinics and dual consultant operating. He stresses the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, involving oncologists, radiologists, and palliative care specialists, as well as the need for adequate funding and sustainability for the service.
He discusses the clinical aspects of caring for patients with metastatic bone disease, providing insights into decision-making processes, managing chemotherapy effects on surgery timing, and the importance of training the next generation through exposure to these cases.
At the conclusion, Divecha shares a touching patient story illustrating the rewarding nature of improving patients' quality of life despite the underlying challenges of their conditions, while offering his availability for further discussions.