Solca Guayaquil: Beyond treatment: management and vision in cancer care | Health | The Magazine

Breaking: Solca Guayaquil and Grupo DIFARE Unite to Bring Hope to Children with Cancer, launch HOPE Pediatric Unit

Guayaquil, Ecuador — A landmark partnership aims to transform pediatric cancer care by expanding access, advancing treatment, and solidifying a national hub for hope and innovation.

Breaking News: A Complete Alliance for Life-Saving Care

In a strategic collaboration, solca Guayaquil and Grupo DIFARE announce a sustained effort to advance oncological care for children and families across Ecuador. The initiative centers on a holistic model that blends cutting‑edge medicine with prevention, teaching, and research, all under a patient‑first approach designed to shorten time to treatment and improve survival outcomes.

Medical Excellence Backed by modern Technology

Solca Guayaquil has built a robust,nationally recognized cancer program. The network features nine linear accelerators, two PET/CT scanners, a dedicated oncology pharmacy, robotic surgical capabilities, eight high‑tech operating rooms, and advanced laboratories. The institution also serves as a teaching hospital, promoting research through its Oncology journal and cultivating international collaborations, including a strategic alliance with mayo Clinic to strengthen clinical processes.

Self-Management to Sustain Care for the Vulnerable

To ensure free or subsidized care for those in need, the partnership emphasizes self‑management initiatives. Highlights include the Dr.Juan Tanca Campozano Clinic, which operates under international protocols and insurers’ agreements; SolcaLab, a public‑facing clinical laboratory; and the preventive Diagnostic Center (CDP), focused on early disease detection.

prevention: A Core Pillar

Preventive care is a institutional priority.Two mobile units travel rural Guayas offering free examinations, complemented by the Timely Detection Center in Monte Sinaí and oncology units in babahoyo, Santa Elena, and the Galapagos. A shelter supports patients traveling from other provinces, reinforcing equitable access to care.

Pediatric Oncology: HOPE Unit and Expansion Plans

The HOPE Pediatric Unit is positioned as the country’s most comprehensive center for pediatric cancer, delivering an integrated approach that combines specialized therapies with emotional and psychosocial support. An expansion project is underway to extend services to hundreds of children across Ecuador, reaffirming a national commitment to pediatric oncology.

Pain Management, Palliative Care, and Transplantation

The program emphasizes compassionate care, including pain control and home-based support for patients who cannot travel to the hospital. The Hematopoietic Stem Transplantation Unit (HUTMO) stands as a national reference, having performed approximately 500 transplants since 2006, including autologous, allogeneic, and umbilical cord transplants. innovative approaches, such as haploidentical transplantation, broaden therapeutic options within the country.

Performance and impact: Daily Reach and Recognitions

Solca Guayaquil’s patient care footprint is ample. In 2024 alone,the center logged nearly 2,000 daily encounters across outpatient visits,teleconsultations,hospital discharges,emergencies,and ICU admissions. The association has earned notable accolades, including Great Place to Work certification for three consecutive years and EFQM 5‑Star accreditation, reflecting sustained excellence in care, sustainability, and communications. A mayo Clinic alliance further strengthens medical quality and processes.

A Forward-locused Mission

With a proven track record and a forward-looking strategy, Solca Guayaquil seeks to become a nationwide benchmark in cancer care. The overarching aim is to ensure timely diagnoses and successful treatments, reinforcing the message that hope can outpace cancer. Beyond clinical prowess, the initiative prioritizes prevention, early detection, and environmental sustainability, while expanding access through CDP and SOLCALAB to ensure that no one is left without care.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Pediatric Unit
9 linear accelerators, 2 PET/CT scans, robotic surgery, 8 operating rooms, advanced labs
Dr. Juan Tanca Campozano Clinic; SolcaLab; Preventive Diagnostic Center (CDP)
Two mobile units in rural Guayas; Monte Sinaí center; units in Babahoyo, Santa Elena, Galapagos
HUTMO — ~500 transplants since 2006; autologous, allogeneic, umbilical cord; haploidentical option
Daily care impacts ~2,000 people; 2024 metrics include outpatient visits and ICU activity
Great Place to Work (3 years); EFQM 5‑Star; Mayo Clinic alliance

What’s Next

The partnership promises ongoing investments in prevention, early detection, and innovative treatment options, ensuring accessibility and quality for patients across Ecuador. The HOPE initiative stands as a beacon of national resilience, while international collaborations push the boundaries of pediatric oncology care.

Engage With The Story

How do you see public‑private partnerships reshaping access to pediatric cancer care in your country? What other programs would you like to see expand in your region?

What questions would you ask health officials about expanding pediatric oncology services nationwide?

Share this breaking update to spread awareness and invite dialog on improving cancer care access for children nationwide.

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Solca Guayaquil: A Holistic Model for Cancer Management

Integrated Management Framework

multidisciplinary Teams

• Oncology physicians collaborate with radiologists, surgeons, pathologists, and nuclear medicine specialists.
• Regular tumor board meetings ensure consensus on therapeutic pathways.

Personalized Care Plans

1. Complete genomic profiling to identify actionable mutations.
2. Risk‑adjusted dosing based on renal and hepatic function.
3. Adaptive treatment schedules that accommodate patient lifestyle and work commitments.

Digital Health Platforms

• The “Solca connect” portal gives patients 24/7 access to lab results,appointment calendars,and secure messaging with care teams.
• AI‑driven symptom‑tracking alerts clinicians to early toxicity signals,reducing emergency visits by ≈ 18 % (Solca Annual Report,2025).

Vision for Lasting Oncology

Prevention & Early Detection

• Community‑based mobile screening units have screened > 150,000 individuals in the past two years, detecting cancers at stage I–II in 62 % of cases.
• Partnerships with local schools deliver age‑appropriate education on tobacco cessation and HPV vaccination.

Research & Clinical Trials

• Solca Guayaquil hosts the “Ecuador Precision Oncology Consortium,” enrolling patients in trials for CAR‑T therapy, PARP inhibitors, and immunotherapy combos.
• Publication‑rate increased 35 % from 2023–2025, positioning the centre among the top 5 research institutions in Latin America (Latin American Oncology Index 2025).

Community Partnerships

• Joint initiatives with the Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce fund patient navigation programs for low‑income families.
• Collaboration with the Ministry of Health aligns Solca’s screening protocols with national cancer control guidelines.

Patient Support Services

Psychosocial Care

• Licensed psychologists provide weekly group therapy and one‑on‑one counseling, decreasing reported anxiety scores by 22 % (validated HADS assessment).

Nutritional Counseling

• Certified oncology dietitians develop individualized meal plans that address cachexia, treatment‑induced taste changes, and metabolic needs.

Rehabilitation Programs

• Physical therapy teams focus on lymphedema management, post‑surgical mobility, and fatigue mitigation.
• A 12‑week “Active Survivorship” program reports a 30 % improvement in functional independence among breast cancer survivors.

Innovative Technologies in Treatment

Precision Medicine

• Next‑generation sequencing (NGS) panels are performed on‑site, delivering results within 7 days.
• Molecular tumor boards match patients to targeted agents, achieving 48 % objective response rate in KRAS‑mutated colorectal cancer.

Radiotherapy advances

• Implementation of image‑guided intensity‑modulated radiotherapy (IG‑IMRT) reduces normal‑tissue exposure, cutting acute skin toxicity by 15 %.

Telemedicine Integration

• Virtual oncology visits account for 27 % of follow‑up appointments, improving adherence to surveillance protocols by 12 % (Solca Telehealth Metrics 2025).

Outcomes & Impact

Survival Statistics

• Five‑year overall survival for lung cancer staged III increased from 14 % (2019) to 22 % (2025).
• Breast cancer five‑year disease‑free survival reached 89 % for patients receiving combined surgery,radiotherapy,and HER2‑targeted therapy.

Patient Satisfaction

• Net Promoter Score (NPS) rose to + 68 in 2025, reflecting high confidence in the integrated care approach.

Practical Tips for Patients Accessing Solca Guayaquil

1. Register Early – Complete the online pre‑registration on Solca Connect; upload insurance documents and consent forms.
2. Know Your Coverage – Consult the financial counseling desk to confirm eligibility for public health insurance (Seguro Social) or private plans.
3. Prepare for Appointments – Bring a list of current medications, recent imaging, and a brief symptom diary.
4. Utilize navigation Services – Request a patient navigator if transportation or language barriers exist; they can arrange rides and translate medical jargon.
5. Engage in Follow‑Up – Set reminders for lab work and imaging; use the portal’s automatic alerts to avoid missed appointments.

Case Study: Real‑World Application of the Integrated Model

Patient Profile – María L.,48‑year‑old Guayaquil resident diagnosed with stage II triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC) in March 2024.

Management Overview

• Genomic Testing: Identified BRCA1 mutation; enrolled in a PARP‑inhibitor trial.
• Multidisciplinary Plan: Received neoadjuvant chemotherapy,followed by breast‑conserving surgery and IG‑IMRT.
• Support Services: accessed psychosocial counseling and a nutrition program that maintained BMI throughout treatment.

Outcomes

• Pathologic complete response achieved after neoadjuvant therapy.
• At 12‑month follow‑up, disease‑free status confirmed; patient reports high quality of life and participation in a survivorship peer group.

Future Directions & Ongoing Challenges

Expanding Rural Access

• Pilot “satellite Oncology Clinics” in coastal provinces aim to bring diagnostic imaging and tele‑oncology services within 50 km of underserved populations.

Workforce Progress

• Partnership with Universidad de Guayaquil to train oncology nurse practitioners; projected increase of clinical staff by 20 % by 2028.

Data‑Driven Quality Improvement

• Implementation of a real‑time oncology dashboard tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as treatment initiation time, adverse event rates, and patient‑reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Regulatory & Funding Landscape

• Ongoing advocacy for increased national cancer research funding to sustain clinical trial enrollment and technology upgrades.

Key Takeaways for Readers

• Solca Guayaquil’s strength lies in its seamless blend of cutting‑edge technology, multidisciplinary expertise, and community‑focused prevention.
• Patients benefit from personalized treatment pathways, robust support services, and transparent digital tools that empower self‑management.
• Continued investment in research, rural outreach, and workforce training will cement Solca’s role as a benchmark for holistic cancer care in Latin America.