Global Experts Gather for Two Weeks from March 13 to Discuss Cancer Rehabilitation and Lymphatic Disorders

Inaugural Event Highlights the Importance of Cancer Rehabilitation and Lymphatic Disorder Management, Drawing 470 Participants from Four Countries

▲ Professor Jae Yong Jeon, Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Asan Medical Center, delivers a keynote address at the inaugural Asan International Lymphatic Forum on March 20, highlighting advances in lymphatic disease research and the importance of global academic collaboration.

As cancer survival rates continue to rise, quality of life after treatment has become increasingly important. In particular, growing attention is being paid to cancer rehabilitation and lymphatic disorders, which address the physical and psychological changes and long term complications caused by cancer treatment. Against this backdrop, an international academic event was recently held to share the latest insights and future directions in cancer rehabilitation and lymphatic disorders.

Asan Medical Center recently hosted the inaugural Asan International Cancer Rehabilitation Symposium and the inaugural Asan International Lymphatic Forum in succession.

The two inaugural events were held this year to highlight the importance of rehabilitation and lymphatic disorder management across the entire cancer care continuum and to explore future directions, drawing approximately 470 experts from four countries.

The first Asan International Cancer Rehabilitation Symposium, held on March 13, featured four sessions covering global integrated strategies for cancer rehabilitation, disease specific rehabilitation approaches, evidence based program development, and future directions driven by technological innovation.

The program included a wide range of lectures and discussions on rehabilitation strategies for specific conditions such as hematologic malignancies, pediatric cancers, and brain tumors, as well as the future paradigm of cancer rehabilitation, including the use of AI and digital engagement.

In particular, Professor Vishwas Raj of the Atrium Health Levine Cancer drew significant attention with his lecture on the integration of cancer rehabilitation into the oncology spectrum. Renowned experts in cancer rehabilitation also participated, including Professor Samman Shahpar of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Professor Sean Smith of the University of Michigan Medical School, sharing in depth insights on the latest developments in the field.

The inaugural Asan International Lymphatic Forum, held on March 20, consisted of five sessions covering glymphatics, the physiology of lymphatic circulation, interstitial lymphatics, diagnosis of lymphatic disorders, and treatment strategies.

The forum featured a wide range of lectures on the diagnosis and surgical management of various lymphatic disorders, including lymphedema, a common complication following cancer surgery, as well as lymphatic circulation abnormalities related to lipid metabolism and dysfunction of the glymphatic system in the brain.

Professor Stanley Rockson of Stanford University enhanced understanding of the pathophysiology of lymphatic diseases by explaining the role of inflammation in the progression of lymphedema. Distinguished experts such as Professor Hiroo Suami of Macquarie University and Professor Veronique Angeli of the National University of Singapore also participated, leading to active and in depth discussions.

Professor Jae Yong Jeon, Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Asan Medical Center, who led both events, said, “The goal of cancer treatment is expanding beyond survival to include quality of life and functional recovery. These two symposia provided a meaningful platform to comprehensively discuss the role of rehabilitation across the entire cancer care continuum, along with diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lymphatic disorders. We will continue to lead the establishment of international clinical standards in cancer rehabilitation and lymphatic disorder management through global collaboration.”