Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1996

also be used to kil l tumour cells. Recently it has been found that oesophageal cancer responds to chemotherapy. The tumour may be shrunk by intravenous drugs before the operation, and then chemotherapy may be applied after the operation to k i l l residual tumour cells to minimize the chances o f recurrence. For patients in an advanced stage of the disease, endoscopic methods such as laser therapy and insertion o f oesophageal stents may be used to bore a passage through the tumour to enable swallowing. A t the oesophageal cancer clinic, patients w i ll be seen at one sitting by specialists i n oesophageal surgery, clinical oncology, and therapeutic endoscopy. A hotline (26322788) has also been set up for referrals and enquiries from patients and their relatives. Treats to Supplement Treatment for Cancer Children To improve the quality of life of child cancer patients, the Department of Paediatrics is teaming up with Camp Quality to launch a series of outings and recreational programmes for them and their families. Camp Quality is an international voluntary camping and support programme for children with cancer. The aim is to allow these children to have fun and make friends lik e healthy children by engaging them in enjoyable and therapeutic group activities. It is hoped that memories from these occasions will help sustain them as they undergo their medical treatment. It w i ll also bring much needed relief to the families of these children by helping them organize high quality recreational activities. A series of visits, camping trips and outings have been planned for some 500 child cancer patients at the Lady Pao Children's Cancer Centre and f r om other hospitals. Parents, doctors, nurses, volunteers, and social workers w i l l accompany the children on all these activities. First Wheelchair Bank for Children with Neuromuscular Diseases The University recently received a generous donation of HK$3 million from Cathay Pacific Airways to establish a wheelchair bank to supplement its seating clinic for children with neuromuscular diseases, which was set up at the Prince of Wales Hospital in 1994. Children who are severely affected by muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophies, and spinal bifida need t o be provided with a proper seat and mobility base (for example a specially adaptable wheelchair) as soon as a diagnosis is made. The earlier this is done, the fewer the chances are of further complications and skeletal deformities like scoliosis, hip dislocations, and joint contractures. However, the majority of families wit h affected children cannot afford to buy proper wheelchairs or seating systems. The wheelchairs bought for the bank will be specially designed and adaptable models with body support systems that can prevent complications as the children grow, and w i ll allow many to take part in regular educational and other activities. The wheelchair bank w i l l benefit at least 200-300 children, and is unique in Southeast Asia in its concept o f being a recycling bank that w i ll maximize the use and sharing of the adaptable wheelchairs. There is also a multi- disciplinary seating clinic team to look after the fitting of the wheelchairs and the provision of regular monitoring and evaluation services. 43