Professor Ronnie Tung Ping Poon is a distinguished surgical oncologist renowned for his pioneering contributions to liver cancer treatment in Hong Kong and Asia. He served as Head of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Queen Mary Hospital and held a professorship at the University of Hong Kong's Department of Surgery where he established himself as a leading authority in surgical oncology. With extensive clinical experience spanning several decades Professor Poon developed expertise in complex liver resections and innovative cancer therapies that significantly advanced patient care standards in the region. His academic journey at the University of Hong Kong positioned him at the forefront of surgical innovation where he trained numerous specialists who continue to advance the field across Asia.
Professor Poon pioneered novel treatments for liver cancer including groundbreaking techniques in surgical resection thermal ablation transarterial chemoembolization and molecular targeted therapy for different cancer stages. In 2001 he became the first to introduce radiofrequency ablation for early liver cancer management in Hong Kong revolutionizing treatment approaches for patients who previously had limited options. He led the development of minimally invasive surgery for liver cancer at Queen Mary Hospital implementing techniques that allowed for better liver regeneration and reduced mortality rates. His innovative approach to staged hepatectomy enabled patients with small liver volumes or compromised liver function to safely undergo previously contraindicated surgeries significantly expanding the pool of treatable patients. These methodological advances established new standards of care that have been adopted throughout Asian medical centers demonstrating his profound impact on surgical oncology practice.
Beyond his clinical innovations Professor Poon led a group of expert clinicians to develop consensus guidelines for liver cancer treatment that established standardized protocols across Hong Kong's healthcare system. His research on liver regeneration mechanisms and cardiotrophin-1's role in cirrhotic liver recovery has informed current therapeutic approaches and continues to influence surgical practices internationally. As an Honorary Clinical Professor at the University of Hong Kong he maintains an advisory role while his techniques remain integral to hepatobiliary surgery training programs. Though no longer in active surgical practice Professor Poon's methodological contributions continue to shape liver cancer management strategies with his staged resection technique representing a paradigm shift that has saved countless lives. His legacy endures through the clinicians he trained and the innovative approaches that remain at the forefront of hepatobiliary surgical oncology in Asia and beyond.
