Cancer trends in Indonesia highlight blood cancer and bone metastasis risks

Indonesia faces a significant cancer burden, with approximately 474,000 new cases reported annually according to Globocan 2024 data. Blood cancer has emerged as one of the top ten most common cancer types in the country, contributing to roughly 25,000 deaths per year. Deputy Health Minister Dante Saksono Harbuwono noted that blood cancer is closely linked to malfunctions in the bone marrow, which acts as a factory for blood cell production.

To manage complications such as bone metastasis—where cancer spreads to the bones—medical professionals are utilizing advanced imaging. SPECT-CT scans are being used to provide a comprehensive view of bone involvement by combining functional information from SPECT with anatomical data from CT scans. This technology helps doctors identify the location, extent, and severity of lesions, which is critical for assessing risks like pathological fractures or spinal nerve compression. For blood cancer specifically, bone marrow or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains a key area of treatment development.