Medical experts tout less-invasive procedures

Minimally invasive and interventional medicine has been developing fast in China since the 1990s.

Now it has become a replacement to many surgeries, although there are huge gaps in using the treatment between major cities and rural areas, experts said at the 2014 China Minimal Invasive and Interventional Medicine Conference in Beijing, which ended on Nov 24.

Zheng Jiasheng, director with the center of minimal invasive and interventional medicine for cancer in Beijing You’an Hospital, said cancer patients seeking such treatment in his center increased by 15 percent every year.

He spoke highly of the development of minimal invasive and interventional medicine in China in recent decades, saying the treatment reduces pain and thus benefits their recovery.

However, he said the lack of professionals and devices in rural areas hindered the application of such treatment. He also noted the lack of treatment and device standards was impeding the expansion of the treatment around the country.

The event, organized by China Minimal Invasive and Interventional Medicine Association, attracted more than 400 experts from 25 provinces across the country, including the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Experts spoke on such topics as new technology, the application of current technology and innovation in treatment devices. They also shared their clinical experiences through case studies with other participants.