JAKARTA - Facing the challenge of escalating cancer cases in Indonesia, MRCCC Siloam Semanggi officially collaborated with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UT MD Anderson). This partnership, which lasts for one year (January 2026 - January 2027), aims to strengthen the standards of clinical and operational services for cancer treatment in the country.
The 2022 Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) data shows a critical portrait: there are more than 408,000 new cases and 242,000 deaths from cancer in Indonesia every year. Breast and lung cancer are the highest contributors with a total of more than 104,000 cases.
Ironically, this challenge is compounded by several systemic factors:
Advanced Stage Diagnosis: More than 70% of patients are newly diagnosed in the final stage, which reduces the effectiveness of therapy and increases the cost of treatment.
Infrastructure Gap: Indonesia only has less than 80 radiotherapy facilities for 275 million people - far below the IAEA's ideal standard.
Lack of Experts: Currently, there are only about 135 radiation oncology specialists, most of which are still concentrated on the island of Java.
As the world's number one cancer center according to U.S. News & World Report, UT MD Anderson will provide comprehensive guidance (advisory) for MRCCC Siloam Semanggi. The main focus of this collaboration includes clinical operations, patient navigation systems, quality assurance, to the development of oncology human resources.
"We are committed to being part of the transformation of cancer services in Indonesia. Through the in-depth clinical expertise of UT MD Anderson, we strive to expand access and provide real hope for patients through services that are in line with international standards," said Dr. Edy Gunawan, MARS, Executive Director of MRCCC Siloam Semanggi.
This partnership will implement two main pillars in modern oncology:
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT): Strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration (surgery, medical oncology, radiation, radiology, and pathology) to develop a more accurate and rapid personal treatment plan for each patient.
Hospital-Based Cancer Registry (HBCR): Strengthening hospital cancer databases to monitor treatment outcomes, support research, and improve data-based service quality (evidence-based).
In addition to service evaluation, this cooperation includes a sustainable education program for health workers and the development of structured clinical practice algorithms. This step is expected to close the gap in access to quality services, so that patients in Indonesia can get world-class therapy without having to go abroad.
Through the integration of international best practices and a deep understanding of local challenges, MRCCC Siloam Semanggi is optimistic that it can shape the future of more inclusive and quality oncology services for all levels of society.
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