Tuesday 24 November 2015

Oral Cancer Treatment - Best Cancer Hospital in India

What is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is cancer of the mouth. It can occur in the lining of the mouth or in the deeper tissues such as the bone, muscle, and nerves. Cancer of the mouth lining is called a carcinoma and makes up 90% of all oral cancer. Cancer of the mouth is most common in people over 40 years of age, but it can occur in younger people.

Oral cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when caught early. Unfortunately, more people die from oral cancer than from cervical cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, or melanoma. This is because oral cancer is often diagnosed when it is already advanced. Early diagnosis and treatment is the most effective way to treat oral cancer.
 

Oral cancer symptoms

Some of the most common oral cancer symptoms and signs include:
  • Persistent mouth sore: A sore in the mouth that does not heal is the most common symptom of oral cancer
  • Pain: Persistent mouth pain is another common oral cancer sign
  • A lump or thickening in the cheek
  • A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouth
  • A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat that does not go away
  • Difficulty swallowing or chewing
  • Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
  • Numbness of the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth
  • Jaw swelling that makes dentures hurt or fit poorly
  • Loosening of the teeth
  • Pain in the teeth or jaw
  • •Voice changes
  • A lump in the neck
  • Weight loss
  • Persistent bad breath

Diagnosis of Oral Cancer

A number of tests are performed for diagnosing mouth cancer that include –
·         Biopsy : A small tissue sample is taken in biopsy that is further sent to a laboratory for determining the type of cells and whether they are cancerous or non-cancerous.
·         Throat and Mouth Examination : A special instrument known as flexible laryngoscope is used for viewing within the throat and mouth.
Certain other tests are also required for determining the spread of the cancer. These tests are –
·         A Barium Swallow and Meal Test : This test requires a patient to swallow a drink having barium. An x-ray will present images of abnormal growths in the digestive system down to the stomach.
·         X-rays : X-rays are done of the lower and upper jaw or a chest x-ray can also be done.
·         Endoscopy : This test helps in viewing the body from within. An endoscope (a narrow and flexible tube having a telescopic camera) is used for performing this test.
·         Certain other biopsies of nearby lymph nodes are also done.
Surgery for mouth cancer may include:
·         Surgery to remove the tumor Your surgeon may cut away the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue that surrounds it. Smaller cancers may be removed through minor surgery. Larger tumors may require more-extensive procedures. For instance, removing a larger tumor may involve removing a section of your jawbone or a portion of your tongue.
·         Surgery to remove cancer that has spread to the neck If cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes in your neck, your surgeon may recommend a procedure to remove cancerous lymph nodes and related tissue in the neck (neck dissection).
·         Surgery to reconstruct the mouth After an operation to remove your cancer, your surgeon may recommend reconstructive surgery to restore the appearance of your face or to help you regain the ability to talk and eat. Your surgeon may transplant grafts of skin, muscle or bone from other parts of your body to reconstruct your face. Dental implants may replace your natural teeth.

Non-Surgery

·         Biological Therapy : The activity of the cancer cells is changed with the help of biological therapy. A type of biological therapy is known as Cetuximab that is also referred to as a monoclonal antibody. The surface of the cancer cells that triggers the development of cancer cells is blocked with the help of Cetuximab.

·         Radiotherapy : Radiotherapy uses doses of radiation to kill cancerous cells. It may be possible to remove the cancer using radiotherapy alone, but it is usually used after surgery to prevent the cancer from re-occurring.

Internal radiotherapy : Internal radiotherapy is a type of radiotherapy often used to treat cancers of the tongue that are in their early stages. It involves sticking radioactive wires or needles directly into the tumour while you are under a general anaesthetic (put to sleep). The wires or needles then release a dose of radiation into the tumour.
 
Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy is often used in combination with radiotherapy when the cancer is widespread, or if it is thought there is a significant risk of the cancer returning.Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful cancer-killing medicines.

Monday 23 November 2015

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery in India

  Gamma Knife Radiosurgery - 

Gamma knife surgery is a type of radiation treatment performed with the Gamma Knife®, a noninvasive neurosurgical tool. Gamma knife surgery involves focusing small, highly precise doses of radiation into the brain. This shrinks small brain tumors or blocks abnormal blood vessels and nerves that cause pain or seizures. Gamma knife surgery can also treat some brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Gamma knife surgery does not actually involve a knife or surgery. The name is derived from the knife-like precision of the radiation delivered to the target area. Gamma knife surgery is also called gamma knife radiosurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.
Gamma knife surgery is an effective alternative to neurosurgery for some patients. Gamma knife surgery can help if you cannot tolerate neurosurgery because of your medical condition, age, or preference. It is less invasive and requires less hospitalization and recovery time than neurosurgery. Discuss all the procedure and surgery options with your doctor and consider getting a second opinion about all of your treatment choices before having gamma knife surgery.
Why is gamma knife surgery performed? 
Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat some diseases and conditions of the brain. Your doctor may recommend gamma knife surgery to treat:
  • Acoustic neuroma, a tumor of the nerve between the brain and the ear
  • Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and other blood vessel disorders in the brain
  • Brain tumors including some types of malignant and benign tumors
  • Some types of cancer of the eye
  • Epilepsy caused by a brain tumor. A brain tumor that causes epilepsy may be treated with gamma knife surgery if medications do not control seizures.
  • Parkinson’s disease, a brain disorder that leads to uncontrollable shaking, muscle stiffness, and severe problems with coordination and balance
  • Trigeminal neuralgia, a nerve disorder causing debilitating face pain

Advantages Of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

·  Gamma Knife is a neurosurgical tool designed exclusively for the treatment of brain disorders. No head shaving
·  No incisions, No general anesthesia
·  The lesion being treated receives a high dose of radiation with minimum risk to nearby tissue and structures.
·  The absence of an incision eliminates the risk of haemorrhage and infection.
·  A secure head frame ensures safety and accuracy within half a millimeter
·  Hospitalization is short, typically an overnight stay or an outpatient surgical procedure. Patients can immediately resume their previous activities.

Thursday 12 November 2015

Best Hospital For Cervical Cancer Treatment in India

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the cancer that occurs in the cervix (vagina), which is the lowest part of women’s uterus. Cervical cancer develops when cells in the cervix begin to grow out of control and can then grow into nearby tissues or spread throughout the body. Cervical cancer takes years to develop. Uncontrollable growth and collection of cancerous cells leads to the formation of tumors. Some tumors are not cancer, because they cannot spread and are called benign tumors. The tumors that can spread throughout the body or affect tissues are considered cancer and are called malignant tumors. Cervical cancer is almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Cervical cancer treatment hospitals in India lay down all the facts and figures about cervical cancer and its complications.

  Types of Cervical Cancer

 Squamous Cell Cancer
  Squamous cell cancer occurs in the skin-like cell called squamous, that covers the cervix. It is the most   common type of cervical cancer. It develops in the lining of the cervix. It is the most common type of cancer. Around, 70 to 80 percent of cervical cancers are squamous cell cancers.
 Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma is found in adenomatous cells that are scattered along the inside of the passageway that runs from the cervix to the womb. This is cancer of the endocervix - the inner area of the cervix. This develops from a glandular cell (a cell that makes mucus) within the cervical canal which becomes cancerous. This is less common type of cancer. About 10% to 20% of cervical cancers are adenocarcinomas. 
Treatment of cervical cancer depends upon the type of cervical cancer and how far the cancerous cells are spread. After proper diagnosis of cervical cancer doctors recommend the treatment. Cervical cancer treatment hospitals in India have the best treatment facilities and low cost treatment is provided in top-class hospitals.
Surgery
Surgery is the common treatment for the women who have cervical cancer. Surgery is an option for women with Stage I or II cervical cancer. After surgery for cervical cancer you may feel tired and weak for a while. The time it takes to heal is different for each woman. Most women return to their normal activities within 4 to 8 weeks after surgery. One may have pain or discomfort for the first few days after surgery. Surgeons in cervical cancer surgery hospitals in India discuss the plan for pain relief with you as a health care team.

Radical Trachelectomy 

In trachelectomy only cervix is removed. Radical trachelectomy is an uncommon procedure and is often performed in young women with small tumor. This surgery is generally performed if the woman after the surgery wants to get pregnant. Radical trachelectomy preserves the ability of a woman to become pregnant. Some women with very early cervical cancer may decide with their surgeon to have only the cervix, part of the vagina, and the lymph nodes in the pelvis removed so they can get pregnant afterwards. After a trachelectomy, some women need to have a tube put into the bladder to drain urine. It usually can be removed a few days after surgery.

 Hysterectomy 
In hysterectomy uterus and cervix both are removed. Hysterectomy is of two types 

Total Hysterectomy 

In Total Hysterectomy, only cervix and uterus is removed.

Radical Hysterectomy
In Radical Hysterectomy, the uterus, about 2 cm of the upper vagina and the soft tissue around the cervix are removed. It also includes the removal of the lymph nodes. This surgery may affect bowel or bladder function due to damage to the nerves in this area.

Tuesday 10 November 2015

Types of Brain Tumor Cancer and Treatment for Brain Tumor Cancer in India

Cancers of the brain are the consequence of abnormal growths of cells in the brain when normal cells in the brain change and grows uncontrollably, forming a mass. A brain tumor can be low grade (generally not cancerous and slower growing) or high grade (more likely to grow and spread quickly). In general, primary brain tumors, meaning those that start in the brain, do not spread outside.


Secondary brain tumors (also called brain metastases) are much more common than primary tumors. A secondary brain tumor is a cancerous tumor that started in another part of the body and then spread to the brain.

Types of Brain Tumor Cancer

 
Brain tumors are classified by the types of cells within the tumor. Each type of brain tumor grows and is treated in a different way.
 
The main types of brain tumors are as follows
Adenoma (Pituitary Gland)
Chordoma (Skull and Spine)
Craniopharyngioma (Pituitary gland)
Germ cell tumors, including Germinomas (Near the Pineal Gland)
Gliomas: This is the main group of brain tumors, occurring in 65% of cases. It includes:
Glioblastoma Multiforme (Glial Cells and Oligodendrocytes). This is the type of brain cancer found most often in adults.
Astrocytoma (Glial Cells of tissue that Supports Nerve Cells)
Oligodendroglioma (Oligodendrocytes in the Myelin Sheath Around Nerve Fibers in the Brain)
Ependymoma (the Ventricles in Tissue Lining the Spaces Within the Brain)
Hemangioblastoma (Cells that Develop into Blood Vessels)
Medulloblastoma (Cerebellum)
Meningioma (Meninges, The Layers of Tissue Covering the Brain)
Osteoma and Osteosarcoma (Bones of the Skull)
Pinealoma (Pineal Gland)
Pituitary Adenoma (Pituitary Gland)
Sarcoma (Connective Tissue)
Treatment for brain tumours Treatment aims to remove the tumour or at least slow its growth and relieve the symptoms. Some of the treatment options include:
Surgery – some tumours can be completely removed. In other cases, a tumour may have spread throughout the brain and may be very close to important structures in the brain. In this case, only pieces of it can be removed.
Radiotherapy – uses x-rays to kill cancer cells. In children, low doses are used because the x-rays can slow a child’s development and growth. Treatment is carefully planned to do as little harm as possible to normal body tissues.
 
Chemotherapy – uses anti-cancer drugs to stop the cancer cells from multiplying. Chemotherapy is rarely used for adults, but often used for children because of the possible side effects of radiotherapy.
Steroid therapy – uses medication to reduce the swelling around the tumour. These do not treat the tumour itself, but they do help to relieve the swelling and pressure caused by the tumour.
 
Complementary and alternative therapies – when used alongside your conventional cancer treatment, some of these therapies can make you feel better and improve quality of life. Others may not be so helpful and in some cases, may be harmful. The Cancer Council Victoria booklet called Understanding complementary therapies can be a useful resource.
 
All treatments have side effects. These will vary depending on the type of treatment you are having. Many side
effects are temporary, but some may be permanent. Your doctor will explain all the possible side effects before
your treatment begins.

Friday 6 November 2015

Best Cancer Hospital in India for Advanced Leukemia Blood Cancer Treatment



Cancer occurs when there is uncontrolled abnormal cell growth and development. It disturbs the normal life span of cells wherein they are formed, mature, carry out their intended function, die, and are replaced by new cells which are constantly regenerated in the body to maintain normal cellular function. Cancer represents the disturbance of this process.
  
Leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells. The symptoms of leukaemia include:

* Breathlessness
* Having repeated infections over a short space of time
* Pale skin
* Tiredness

In acute leukaemia, the condition progresses at a rapid and aggressive pace, and treatment needs to be administered immediately.

Bone marrow
Bone marrow is a spongy material that is found inside the bones, and it produces all of the blood cells. It also produces vital cells called stem cells that can create other specialised cells that carry out essential functions. These specialised cells are of three types:

* Red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body
* White blood cells which help fight infection
* Platelets which help stop bleeding

Acute leukaemia prevents the affected bone marrow from producing stem cells that mature into adult blood cells. Instead it releases numerous immature blood cells called blast cells. The immature white blood cells begin to rapidly disrupt the normal balance of cells in the blood, limiting the presence of red blood cells or platelet cells in the body. This can lead to tiredness and other symptoms of anaemia, and also increase risk of excessive bleeding. The patient also becomes more vulnerable to infection as the white blood cells are not properly formed and thus ineffective in fighting bacteria and viruses.

Types of acute leukaemia
There are two main types of white blood cells classified according to the type of white blood cells that are affected by cancer:

* Lymphocytes which are mostly used to fight viral infections
* Myeloid cells which fight bacterial infections defend the body against parasites and prevent the spread of tissue damage

The two main types of acute leukaemia are:
* Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which is cancer of the lymphocytes
* Acute myeloid leukaemia, which is cancer of the myeloid cells

Acute myeloid leukaemia

It is more common in older people, especially when over 50 years of age, and more common in males than females, though it is not clear why. The causes of acute leukaemia are uncertain, but known risk factors include:

* Exposure to high levels of radiation
* Exposure to benzene, a chemical that is used in manufacturing and is also found in cigarettes

The lack of healthy blood cells in the blood supply causes most of the symptoms of acute leukaemia, which usually begin slowly before rapidly escalating in severity as the number of blast cells in the blood increases.

Outlook
The outlook for people with AML depends on the sub-type of AML, with some subtypes being more challenging to treat than others. The cure rate thus varies, and some sub-types have a 75 per cent cure rate, while others have a 20 per cent cure rate. The outlook also favours younger people as compared to older people. The treatment usually includes a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, or a bone marrow transplant in some cases.

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
ALL is the most common type of cancer found in children, though it is uncommon on an overall basis. Approximately one in every 2,000 children will develop ALL. The majority of cases develop in the age group of two to five year olds, and 85 per cent develop in children below the age of 15.

Outlook
The outlook for children with ALL is optimistic, as almost all of them will achieve a remission from their symptoms. 85 per cent of children will be completely cured, whereas only 40 per cent of adults will be completely cured.


Treatment for AML involves two stages:

* Induction: The aim of the initial stage of treatment is to kill the leukaemia cells in the bone marrow, restore the blood to proper working order and resolve any symptoms that may be present.

* Consolidation: This stage aims to kill any remaining leukaemia cells that may be present in the central nervous system.

Treatment for ALL involves three stages:
* Induction
* Consolidation
* Maintenance, which involves taking regular doses of chemotherapy tablets to prevent the leukaemia returning. This seems to be the most effective stage.

Other treatments
The other treatments that are used in some circumstances are:
* Radiotherapy
* Stem cell transplant
* Targeted therapies