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Introduction to Oncology |
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Cancer
is not one disease, but many diseases that occur
in different areas of the body. Each type of cancer
is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of
cells. Under normal conditions, cell reproduction
is carefully controlled by the body. However,
these controls can malfunction, resulting in abnormal
cell growth and the development of a lump, mass,
or tumor. Some cancers involving the blood and
blood-forming organs do not form tumors but circulate
through other tissues where they grow.
A tumor may be benign (non-cancerous)
or malignant (cancerous). Cells from cancerous
tumors can spread throughout the body. This process,
called metastasis, occurs when cancer cells break
away from the original tumor and travel in the
circulatory or lymphatic systems until they are
lodged in a small capillary network in another
area of the body. Common locations of metastasis
are the bones, lungs, liver, and central nervous
system.
The type of cancer refers to
the organ or area of the body where the cancer
first occurred. Cancer that has metastasized to
other areas of the body is named for the part
of the body where it originated. For example,
if breast cancer has spread to the bones, it is
called "metastatic breast cancer" not
bone cancer.
Contrary to common belief many
cancers are curable if detected early and treated
scientifically. If not curable several cancers
can be controlled for prolonged periods. Many
cancers are now given multimodality treatment
planned by surgical , medical and radiation oncologist
working together. Since cancer treatment can be
prolonged and result in physical and functional
deficiencies the role of physiotherapist, occupational
therapist, speech therapist and nutritionists
is invaluable.
At Wockhardt Hospital we have
a team of highly trained and dedicated profesionals
working together in the Oncology Department. We
also have state of the art equipment in radiology
and pathology for early detection and diagnoses
of cancer.
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Our Services and Procedures |
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| SURGICAL ONCOLOGY |
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| Head
& Neck Cancer |
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| Department
of Head and Neck Oncology |
- Dr. Kamran A. Khan (Surgical Oncologist).
- Dr. Sanjay Bhatia (Neuro-otologist, Skull
Base Surgeon).
- Dr. Tushar Mhapankar (Otolaryngologist)
- Dr. Anil Karadkar ( Otolaryngologist)
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Head
and Neck and tobacco related cancers are the commonest
cancers in India. These may present as a ulcer,
sore or swelling in the mouth, difficulty in swallowing,
hoarseness of voice or a swelling in the neck.
The initial investigations consist of a biopsy
with imaging. At Wockhardt Hospitals we provide
the best expertise for the diagnoses of Head and
Neck Cancers with imaging including spiral CTscan
and MRI. The treatment of Head and neck cancers
is predominantly surgical. Our surgeons have had
extensive training in head and neck surgical oncology
at premier cancer institutes in India and abroad.
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| Areas
of Expertise in Head and Neck Cancers |
- Tumors of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses.
- Skull Base Surgeries.
- Tumors of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx
and Hypopharynx.
- Laryngopharyngeal and laryngeal malignancies(
voice preserving laryngeal surgery, voice restoration
after total laryngectomy).
- Surgeries for Thyroid, Parathyroid neoplasms
- Surgeries for Parotid Gland tumors.
- Plastic Surgery and microvascular reconstruction
after head and neck surgery.
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| FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER |
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| What
is the cause for cancers in the Head and Neck region? |
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Answer:
The most common cause is consumption of tobacco
in any form( chewing, smoking or application).
Ghutka is one of the most carcinogenic agents
known to man. However 5% of cancers may occur
in people who have never consumed tobacco. Swellings
in the neck may occur in a number of cancers when
they spread to the neck. There is no apparent
cause for thyroid and parotid cancers but they
can occur in long standing goiters or parotid
swellings. Lymphomas are cancers of the lymph
glands which can occur in the neck. |
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| What
treatment modality is the best for me? |
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Answer:
The treatment is decided by the biopsy report
and the stage of your cancer. Surgery is the commonest
mode of treatment used. Squamuos cell carcinoma
is the commonest cancer occurring in the head
and neck region. In early stages it is treated
by radiation therapy depending on location. However
in progressive stages a multimodality treatment
may have to be planned for your therapy which
includes surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy
is usually given only to decrease the size of
the tumor or for palliative treatment. Early laryngeal
cancers maybe often treated with laser therapy. |
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| My
tumor is in the mouth but I have been advised surgery
in the neck also? Is this necessary? |
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Answer:
Yes head and neck cancers spread to the lymph
nodes of the neck therefore treatment often involves
surgery in the neck even though there may be no
symptom in that region. |
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| What
extent of deformity or functional loss will I have
after treatment? |
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Answer:
The best way of limiting deformity is early treatment
of the tumor. The more advanced the disease greater
are the chances of deformity related to surgery
or radiation therapy. Functional loss and deformity
can be minimized with plastic and reconstructive
surgery. This may be difficulty in chewing, articulating,
swallowing speaking lossor alteration of voice.
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| CLINICAL
TEAM |
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| Dr.
Kamran A. Khan - Surgical
Oncologist
 Click
here to View Profile
Dr. Sanjay Bhatia - Otolaryngologist
and Neurotologist
D.N.B.
(ENT), D.O.R.L. (C.P.S. Bombay), Fellow A.I.N.Ot
(Italy)
Click
here to View Profile
Dr. Tushar Mhapankar -
Otolaryngologist
ENT Surgeon M.S.
Click
here to View Profile
Dr. Anil Karadkar - Otolaryngologist
ENT Surgeon M.S.
(ENT)
Click
here to View Profile |
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| Thoracic
Cancer |
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| Gastrointestinal
Cancer |
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| Bone
& Soft Tissue Cancer |
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| Cancers
in Women |
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| Breast Cancer |
Breast
cancer is the commonest cancer in women world
over. While the incidence of breast cancer has
increased, so has the survival improved due to
a better understanding of the disease. It often
presents a painless lump in the breast or armpit.
Due to the asymptomatic nature of early breast
cancer the patient is unaware of the disease till
such time as it progresses. Early detection seems
to be the most important factor in the cure of
breast cancer. Therefore oncologists recommend
a regular breast self examination to be performed
by all ladies every month after the age of 35
years. This should ideally be done five days after
the menstrual cycle gets over. |
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| Lumpectomy
for breast lump |
On detection of a lump in the breast it is important
to consult an oncologist immediately. Do not panic
as all ladies are going to develop a breast lump
during there lifetime- very few turn out to be
cancer. A competent oncologist can tell the difference
only by examining you. After a clinical examination
has been done your oncologist may ask for an FNAC
or biopsy. At times it may be necessary to remove
the entire lump for a pathological examination. |
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| Screening
Mammogram |
A screening mammography should be done every two
years after the age of forty and every year for
high risk patients. Early detection of breast
cancer improves survival and reduces the morbidity
of treatment. At Wockhardt hospital we have a
women’s clinic which does regular screening
for detection of early breast cancer. |
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| FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS FOR BREAST CANCER |
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| I have
been detected to have breast cancer? How can I be
sure the report is right? |
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Answer:
Breast cancer can only be confirmed on a biopsy
sample reported by a pathologist. If you have
had only an FNAC done ( fine needle aspiration
cytology) a biopsy or a frozen section is essential. |
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| What
is a frozen section and is it necessary? |
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Answer:
While the patient is under anesthesia a biopsy
is done and reported (by freezing the tissue to
-4 degree centigrade) as malignant or benign.
If it is found to be malignant more definitive
surgery is done for breast cancer in the same
sitting. The margin for error is negligible provided
the biopsy sample is reported by an experienced
pathologist. It saves the patient another surgery
and reduces the cost. |
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| If
detected to have breast cancer do I have to remove
my entire breast? |
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Answer:
Though it is necessary to remove the entire breast
in many cases the breast can be often preserved
without affecting the control of the cancer.
With good cosmesis it is possible to preserve
your natural look. This is known as breast conservation
surgery. However breast conservation depends on
many individual factors and your oncologist is
the best person to decide. It is essential to
take radiotherapy after breast conservation surgery. |
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| What
are the side effects of surgery? |
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Answer:
If done well for a treatable cancer there are
practically no side effects of surgery. There
may be some fluid collection in the axilla after
surgery which is due to the axillary lymphatic
tissue being removed during surgery. This is removed
from time to time by the oncosurgeon with a small
injection painlessly. Numbness or tingling sensation
maybe felt near the elbow due to some nerves being
affected. Mild swelling may appear in the arm
on the operated side. |
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| I have
been detected to have breast cancer but my oncologist
has advised chemotherapy instead of surgery? |
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Answer:
If there is a large lump (more than 5 cm ) in
your breast, dimpling, reddening or puckering
of the skin or nipple, multiple swellings in the
armpit or a swelling in the neck it may be better
to take chemotherapy first. Two to three cycles
of chemotherapy are given to shrink the size of
your tumor before surgery. |
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| Do
I need to take chemotherapy after surgery? |
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Answer:
Chemotherapy is a very important treatment and
if your oncologist has advised it is essential. |
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| What
are the side effects of chemotherapy? |
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Answer:
It is important that you discuss the complications
associated with chemotherapy with your oncologist
so that you are mentally prepared for what you
will face. Chemotherapy must only be administered
under the supervision of a qualified oncologist
to minimize the side effects and maximize efficacy.
Weakness, nausea vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
may occur to varying degrees. Hair loss is the
most upsetting but please remember that it is
temporary and your hair growth will be normal
within few months of completion of chemotherapy.
We recommend you consult a cosmetic specialist
prior to starting chemotherapy. |
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| What
is hormone therapy and can I take that instead of
chemotherapy? |
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Answer:
Hormone therapy consists of certain tablets which
are given to block the effects of hormones on
the cancer cells and reduce their growth. Though
the side effects are very few and mild compared
to chemotherapy it cannot be interchanged with
chemotherapy except in very select cases. |
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| What
is radiation therapy? |
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Answer:
Using radiaoactive energy any cancer cell which
remain in your system are destroyed. If administered
in a well equipped centre there are no side effects
except a little darkening of the skin. |
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| Can
I undergo reconstructive plastic surgery for my
breast? |
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Answer:
Yes it is possible for you to undergo cosmetic
reconstructive surgery using your own body tissue
or implants. However this is expensive and involves
one more surgery. You may also have a silicon
prosthesis made to your size and wear it as an
external prosthesis within your brazier. |
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| Will
I survive my cancer? |
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Answer:
Breast cancer in many women is curable provided
it is detected early and treated scientifically.
In many more it is controllable for long periods.
There are many factors which need to be looked
at to determine prognoses. The best person to
answer you is your oncologist. Please have a detailed
discussion with him |
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| Uterus
Cancer |
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| Ovarian
Cancer |
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| CANCER
CHEMOTHERAPY |
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