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He performed minimally invasive portosystemic shunts for patients with portal hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding; he performed chemotherapy infusion plus embolization for patients with left upper eyelid lymphoma. His research and learning spanned both domestically and internationally, and at 77, he still performs interventional procedures for thousands of cancer patients annually. Using a tiny catheter, he punctures, inserts needles, and administers infusions, curing chronic illnesses in the blink of an eye.

He is Professor Luo Pengfei, a renowned expert in interventional radiology oncology in my country. He was formerly the Director and Lifelong Professor of the Interventional Imaging Center at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and the founder of the "Luo Pengfei Program for Oncology Diagnosis and Treatment." He excels in the diagnosis and treatment of various solid tumors using interventional techniques. Even after retirement, Professor Luo remains deeply committed to his patients and has chosen to join Guangzhou Xinshi Hospital, continuing to illuminate the "light of life" for cancer patients. This year marks Professor Luo's 40th anniversary of dedicated interventional therapy. His former unit held a simple yet dignified anniversary celebration in his honor, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the development of interventional medicine in my country through his superb medical skills and tireless efforts.

Have dreams, be brave to challenge, and be the health guardian of cancer patients

In 1987, after undergoing rigorous assessments, Professor Luo Pengfei was selected as a visiting scholar to study interventional therapy for a year at Kobe University School of Medicine in Japan. This year marked a turning point for Professor Luo, opening his eyes to advanced medical equipment and sophisticated treatment techniques available abroad. This year, he diligently and wholeheartedly immersed himself in the study of interventional therapy, embarking on a journey that has spanned 40 years.

Later, Professor Luo attended the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago, USA, and the Asia-Pacific Congress of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (CVIR) held in Europe, Japan, and South Korea. This further strengthened his thirst for knowledge in interventional therapy and his resolve to become an outstanding doctor protecting the health of cancer patients.

After returning from his studies abroad, Professor Luo worked in interventional oncology at several tertiary hospitals, demonstrating his bold innovations and numerous remarkable achievements. "In the past, solid tumors were treated surgically with ligation, but I innovated and chose catheter-based embolization. Since then, this discipline has seen significant development." Furthermore, Professor Luo not only performed the procedure but also summarized the relevant theories, anatomy, and methods of the procedure, presenting them in national academic conferences and conferences, which garnered widespread acclaim.

"At the 1995 Interventional Medicine Conference in Seoul, I gave a speech and exhibited a paper on interventional treatment for liver cancer, which attracted significant attention from attendees," Professor Luo added.

Expertly using fine needles to fight cancer and prolong the life of cancer patients

Last year, Professor Luo remembered a patient admitted to our hospital's Oncology Department's Fifth Ward due to portal hypertension and recurrent massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Prior to admission, the patient had a history of two previous gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, with conservative treatment ineffective and the risk of a third episode imminent. Gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertension is a common complication, affecting approximately 90% of patients in the late stages of portal hypertension. It often manifests as ruptured esophageal varices leading to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, making surgery one of the most challenging of these cases.

Since the patient was unable to undergo a liver transplant, Luo Pengfei and Director Wang Jian led the team to carefully analyze the patient's condition, determine surgical feasibility, and design two contingency plans for stent access. After consulting with the patient and his family, they decided to perform a minimally invasive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt for Huang, aiming to both reduce ascites and minimize the risk of bleeding.

Thanks to their extensive experience and solid theoretical knowledge, the surgery was successfully completed. The day after the operation, the patient's abdominal distension significantly improved, and blood test results stabilized, signaling a period of recovery. The successful implementation of this technology not only provides an effective and safe treatment method for patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding, but also marks that the comprehensive interventional technology level of Guangzhou Xinshi Hospital has entered the first echelon of interventional minimally invasive treatment in the country.

Another 62-year-old lymphoma patient, Ms. Chen, was admitted to Guangzhou Xinshi Hospital after her left upper eyelid lymphoma metastasized to her right eye. She suffered from bulging eyes, poor vision, and excruciating pain. At the time, Ms. Chen's right eyeball was swollen and protruding, with red, swollen, and everted soft tissues. Her vision was almost nonexistent! Dr. Luo Pengfei and Dr. Wang Jian led a team through multiple analyses and assessments of Ms. Chen's condition before developing a treatment plan, deciding on vascular interventional therapy for the lesion in her right eye.

Performing an interventional procedure on the blood vessels of the eyeball requires precise precision. Finally, Dr. Luo and Dr. Wang performed right external carotid artery angiography, confirming that the internal maxillary artery was the primary blood supply. They then carefully inserted a thin microcatheter into the artery, successfully performing chemotherapy infusion and embolization.

Postoperative angiography revealed a slowing of blood flow in the tumor's supplying artery, and the disappearance of staining in the tumor area. The surgery was a success! Four days after surgery, Ms. Chen's right eye, which had been swollen and everted, had largely recovered, and her vision was gradually improving.

Today, the department led by Luo Pengfei performs over a thousand minimally invasive interventional treatments for cancer patients annually, with the procedures being increasingly complex and versatile. Many patients say, "Seeing Professor Luo around gives me peace of mind."

Carefully compiled and painstakingly condensed, it won the first "world-class" patent certification in China

In November 2022, the "Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Programmed Inactivation of Tumor Bioactivity," meticulously compiled and innovatively developed by the Programmatic Interventional Oncology research team led by Luo Pengfei and Wang Jian from the Fifth Department of Oncology at Guangzhou Fosun Chancheng Hospital, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, received patent approval from the Luxembourg Government Intellectual Property Office. This marks the first international patent-granted intellectual property rights for a treatment in the field of interventional oncology in China, and the third authoritative recognition for the treatment, following the First Prize in Scientific Research from the Guangdong Provincial Health Department and the Third Prize in Science and Technology Progress from the Guangdong Provincial People's Government.

After three years of meticulous preparation, the Luo Pengfei and Wang Jian Programmatic Interventional Oncology research team successfully received approval on its first application. This international patent protection and recognition of the "Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment of Programmed Inactivation of Tumor Bioactivity" marks a milestone in the field of interventional oncology research in China, a testament not only to the years of exploration and progress by the hospital's Oncology Center research team but also to the technological advancement and academic achievements of interventional oncology treatment in my country.

To fully leverage his talent and ensure the continued success of the "Programmed Inactivation of Tumor Bioactivity Standardized Diagnosis and Treatment," Professor Luo selflessly compiled his knowledge and insights into a clinical guidebook, "Luo Pengfei's Programmed Tumor Diagnosis and Treatment Methods," for wider access and study by industry scholars. "I'm only 77 years old, and I can continue to contribute to patients! I hope that in the future, I can lead our team of physicians to achieve new breakthroughs in both tumor and vascular treatment!"

In recent years, the age of cancer onset has been gradually getting younger, with an increasing number of young people being diagnosed with cancer. Professor Luo emphasized that this increasingly younger age of cancer onset is related to unhealthy lifestyles among young people, such as reckless eating (overeating at night), staying up late, irregular sleep schedules, and excessive anxiety. Therefore, Professor Luo specifically offered five suggestions for young people:

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Avoid reckless eating. Eat a balanced diet, reduce intake of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods, and increase intake of vegetables, fruits, and fiber.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]--> Adjust your sleep schedule, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid prolonged sleep to maintain a normal circadian rhythm and endocrine balance.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->3. <!--[endif]-->Exercise moderately, avoiding excessive physical strain and choosing an appropriate exercise method based on your physical condition and preferences.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->4. <!--[endif]-->Manage your emotions, maintain a positive mood, avoid chronic stress and anxiety, and relieve stress through exercise and rest.

<!--[if !supportLists]-->5. <!--[endif]-->Early detection of many cancers not only increases survival rates but also reduces treatment costs. Therefore, Professor Luo recommends regular physical examinations and screenings to ensure early detection and treatment.