Oncologist Dr. Mary Ondinee Manalo Igot

31/10/2026

Ended the Oncology Module by proctoring their exam. Last pink top muna for the year, quota na for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 😅

29/10/2026

CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: STAGE III COLON CANCER

Many patients can still be treated with the goal of CURE!

Our case management conference focused on the important decisions involved in treating Stage III colon cancer.

MUST-KNOWS ABOUT STAGE III COLON CANCER

✅ 1. Stage III means there is lymph node involvement.
Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes, but there is no evidence of distant metastasis.

✅ 2. Surgery is a cornerstone of treatment.
Removal of the tumor and regional lymph nodes is essential for most patients with resectable Stage III disease.

✅ 3. Chemotherapy is important even after successful surgery.
Adjuvant chemotherapy, commonly FOLFOX or CAPOX, helps eliminate microscopic cancer cells and reduces the risk of recurrence.

✅ 4. Not everyone needs 6 months of chemotherapy.
Some patients may benefit from just 3 months! The duration depends on the cancer's risk features, chemotherapy regimen, and patient factors.

✅ 5. Molecular testing matters.
MSI/MMR testing helps guide management and identify patients who may need evaluation for hereditary cancer syndromes such as Lynch syndrome.

✅ 6. Surveillance is essential.
Even after completing treatment, regular follow-up with CEA monitoring, appropriate CT scans, and colonoscopy is important to detect recurrence early.

💚 TAKE-HOME MESSAGE:
Stage III colon cancer is potentially CURABLE. The key is appropriate surgery, individualized adjuvant treatment, and consistent surveillance.

28/10/2026

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast cancer was the most common cancer among women in 2022, highlighting the importance of awareness, early detection, and timely medical care. Knowing your body and recognizing changes in your breasts can help you understand when to seek medical advice.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, learn more about breast self-assessment and the importance of breast health as Asian Hospital and Medical Center encourages everyone to take a proactive step toward early detection. While breast self-assessment does not replace recommended breast screening, being familiar with what is normal for you can help you recognize changes that need medical attention.

Learn more about as Dr. Mary Ondinee Manalo-Igot, Oncologist at the Asian Cancer Institute, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, shares valuable insights on breast health and the importance of early detection in BusinessMirror’s TikTok Reels feature.

Watch the full video here: https://www.tiktok.com//video/7701287961719082247?_r=1&_t=ZS-9AuFD1yqDTE

24/10/2026

🎓💚 ANOTHER CHEMO GRADUATE!

Today, we celebrate another beautiful milestone as our patient officially completes his chemotherapy! 🎉

The journey through cancer treatment is never easy. It takes courage, patience, resilience, and a strong support system to get through every cycle.

A special appreciation to Dr. Sette, who has taken such wonderful care of her patient throughout his chemotherapy journey. This is what compassionate and dedicated medical care is all about! 💚

📢 DID YOU KNOW?

The De La Salle University Medical Center Internal Medicine Service OPD accepts service cases, including patients who need cancer evaluation and treatment.

Our patients are cared for by dedicated Internal Medicine residents under the guidance and supervision of board-certified medical oncologists.

We believe that quality cancer care should be accessible to more Filipinos, regardless of their financial circumstances.

To our chemo graduate, congratulations! 🎉 May this milestone bring renewed strength, hope, and many more reasons to celebrate. 💚

21/10/2026

"Dokie, bakit kulot na ang buhok ko pagkatapos mag chemo?"

Some patients who previously had straight hair may develop curly or wavy hair after chemotherapy.

The main reason is that chemotherapy alters how the hair follicles produce new hair.

Why does this happen?

1. Hair follicle injury: Chemotherapy damages rapidly dividing cells in the hair matrix, causing hair loss. As the follicles recover, they may temporarily produce hair with a different structure.

2. Changes in hair shaft formation: Altered growth patterns may produce a more curved or elliptical shaft, resulting in curls.

3. Changes in keratin formation: Chemotherapy disrupts normal hair shaft synthesis. Changes in the organization of hair proteins may contribute to differences in texture.

4. Hormonal changes: Chemotherapy-induced ovarian dysfunction or menopause may also influence hair texture, particularly in women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Will the curls remain permanently?
Usually not.

Hair commonly begins regrowing within 2–3 months after chemotherapy.

The new hair may initially be curly, finer, softer, or a different color.

Many patients gradually return to their original hair texture over several months to 1–2 years.

However, some patients retain their new curls long-term.

Enjoy your new look! Love every version of yourself!

21/10/2026

🎀 Another Milestone Worth Celebrating This Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 💗

Today, we celebrate this brave lady who has officially completed her neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for breast cancer! 🎉

Why do we give chemotherapy BEFORE surgery? Neoadjuvant chemotherapy helps shrink the tumor, potentially makes surgery less extensive, treats cancer cells that may have spread beyond the breast, and allows us to assess how well the cancer responds to treatment.

But her journey was far from easy. Along the way, she developed multiple episodes of neutropenia, a drop in infection-fighting white blood cells that can be a serious complication of chemotherapy. Thankfully, we have ways to manage this, including medications that stimulate white blood cell production, supportive care, and appropriate treatment when complications arise.

What stands out most is her resilience. ❤️ Despite the challenges, she persevered, trusted the process, and continued fighting. And today, she proudly rings the bell!

Our next step? We are praying for a favorable scan, a good treatment response, and a safe, successful surgery. One milestone at a time!

🎀 As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let this also be a reminder to all women:

Know your breasts. Be familiar with how they normally look and feel. Pay attention to new lumps, ni**le discharge, skin changes, or any unusual changes. And most importantly, undergo recommended breast cancer screening, including mammography when appropriate.

Early detection can save lives. Breast cancer is often more treatable when discovered early, even before symptoms appear.

Congratulations on completing this important phase of treatment! Your strength and resilience are truly worth celebrating!

18/10/2026

Ang ganda namin! 💕🌸

Matching PINK OUTFITS this October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! 🎀

She's been my patient for so many years, and through those years, our doctor-patient relationship has become something truly special. 💗

A few important reminders about breast cancer:

🎀 Know your breasts. Be familiar with what's normal for you and report any unusual changes.

🎀 Get screened. Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer even before symptoms appear. For women at average risk, screening generally should be offered beginning at age 40, depending on guidelines.

🎀 Don't ignore a lump. Not all breast lumps are cancer, but every suspicious change deserves proper evaluation.

🎀 Early detection saves lives. Breast cancer is often highly treatable, especially when detected early.

🎀 Complete your treatment. Follow your oncologist's recommendations and continue your scheduled follow-ups.

October reminds us to spread awareness, encourage screening, and celebrate the women who continue to inspire us with their strength and resilience.

Stay beautiful, stay healthy, and stay breast aware! 💕🎀

18/10/2026

17/10/2026

Another productive day with my ward work students! 💚

Today, we learned how to prioritize patient problems and discussed important clinical conditions, including spinal cord compression, pressure ulcers, and lung cancer.

Beyond knowing the diagnosis, we emphasized the importance of recognizing which problems need immediate attention and making sound clinical decisions.

We also discussed that a longer paper or discussion does not necessarily mean better work, a higher grade, or greater intelligence. What matters is the ability to identify what is relevant, organize your thoughts, and communicate them clearly and concisely.

As Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” 💚