E-Paper
Breast cancer treatment discussed
A WIDE-RANGE discussion on the most recent patient-friendly, economical and highly efficient methods of treating breast cancer was held on the second day of four-day International Integrated Meet of Cancer Societies at Banaras Hindu University here on Friday.
A WIDE-RANGE discussion on the most recent patient-friendly, economical and highly efficient methods of treating breast cancer was held on the second day of four-day International Integrated Meet of Cancer Societies at Banaras Hindu University here on Friday.
Expert surgeons from the country and abroad dwelt upon treatment of breast cancer by either operating or non-operating methods and by conserving the breast from a definite operation in 40 per cent patients. Prof Robert Mansel of UK demonstrated this method, which results in preservation of woman hood that is reflected in the breast in 40 to 60 percent of the patients.
Prof Mansel is carrying out the ALAMAC trial encompassing several continents studying blindly if this method is superior to the general prevalent method of removing the breast in all patients. He said that the results have shown that in patients where the breast is not removed if treated by this method, radiotherapy will benefit to a great extent.
He demonstrated this method on two patients in the surgical oncology operating theatre and the procedure were telecast by closed circuit TV cameras to the Swatantrata Bhawan. Dr Mallika Tewari and Dr Amit Goyal assisted Prof Mansel in the operating theatre whereas Dr Prashant Pradhan of Nuclear Medicine Department at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGI), Lucknow, assisted him in the use of radio active material during the workshop.
Advancements in medicines brighten chances of cure
“THE RECENT advancements in medicines and other therapies have increased the success rate of cancer treatment from around 50 per cent 20 years back to around 90 per cent now,” said world known Minimal Access Surgery expert, Prof C Palanivelu of Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).
Prof Palanivelu, who was here to participate at International Integrated Meet of Cancer Societies in BHU on Friday, said that even after these advancements, the fourth stage of cancer is still considered as the most dreaded complications and efforts were still on reduce the mortality rate at this very stage.
Prof Palanivelu, also president (elect) of Association of Surgeons of India added that cancer surgeons have achieved greater success in the treatment of third stage patients. He said that, earlier, third stage cancer was also considered among dreaded complications but with the help of recent drugs and radiotherapy, more than 80 per cent patients could be cured.
