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Oncologists at Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals shatter myths about cancer
Vast improvement was seen in success rates of cancer treatment
Kolkata, April 2018:- On the occasion of World Health Day, oncologists at Apollo Gleneagles Cancer Hospitals (AGCH), Kolkata stepped forward to bust myths surrounding cancer and its treatment.
Speaking at a cancer survivors’ meet, Dr Shaikat Gupta, Director of Surgical Oncology, AGCH and Dr. Soumya Bhattacharya, Haemato-Oncologist, AGHC discussed about how survival rates have improved with major technological advancements seen in cancer care over the years.
Dr Shaikat Gupta, Director Surgical Oncology, AGHC said, “India has seen major advancements in oncosurgery techniques like conservative and bloodless surgery, robotic surgery and CRS + HIPEC as well as new technology adoptions in medical oncology like Monoclonal Antibodies (MABs), targeted therapy and gene therapy. New technologies like advanced linear accelerators, proton therapy, and cyberknife are set to transform cancer treatment in the country”. He further added, “But more importantly, the public still has a lot of misconceptions about cancer and it is imperative that we make them aware of it. “
Some common myths that people believe are:-
Ø Cancer is infectious
Ø Chemotherapy is poison
Ø Biopsy and surgery spreads cancer
Ø Grade in a biopsy report means the Stage of cancer
The cancer treatments available at AGCH include Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, Radiation oncology, Haemato oncology, Pediatric-oncology, Palliative Care and Advanced Diagnostics.
Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a highly concentrated, heated chemotherapy treatment that is delivered directly to the abdomen during surgery. Unlike systemic chemotherapy delivery, which circulates throughout the body, HIPEC delivers chemotherapy directly to cancer cells in the abdomen. AGHC is the first Centre in Eastern India to start this new treatment.
In Genetic profiling, the gene mutations of the cancerous cells are checked to predict whether the patient can respond to a particular drug or not. The genes of the patient help in judging the effectiveness of a method of appropriate cancer treatment.
Dr. Soumya Bhattacharya, Haemato Oncologist, AGCH observed, “In recent years there has been a vast improvement in the treatment outcomes of hematological cancers. In fact it is nothing short of a revolution what modern chemotherapy, targeted drugs, bone marrow transplants have been able to achieve.
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia now has 80%-90% success rates where we have seen children upto 10 years of age go and stay in remission. Chronic myeloid leukemia is almost as easy as treating diabetes or high blood pressure. There is a 70-80% success rate in Hodgkin’s lymphoma especially in young patients and 60-70% success in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. For Multiple myelomas and Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, new effective treatments and wonder drugs are available. So we would urge the public at large to not ignore any signs and symptoms of cancer and consult the doctors without any fear”
About Apollo Hospitals
It was in 1983, that Dr. Prathap Reddy made a pioneering endeavor by launching India’s first corporate hospital – Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. Over the years Apollo Hospitals has established itself as home to the largest cardiac practice in India with over 160,000 cardiac surgeries. Apollo Hospitals is also the world’s largest private cancer care provider and runs the world’s leading solid organ transplant program.
As Asia’s largest and most trusted healthcare group, its presence includes over 10,000 beds across 71 Hospitals, 3000 Pharmacies, over 90 Primary Care and Diagnostic Clinics, 110 plus Telemedicine Centres and 80 plus Apollo Munich Insurance branches spanning the length and breadth of the Country.
As an integrated healthcare service provider with Health Insurance services, Global Projects Consultancy capability, over 15 medical education centres and a Research Foundation with a focus on global Clinical Trials, epidemiological studies, stem cell & genetic research Apollo Hospitals has been at the forefront of new medical breakthroughs with the most recent investment being that of commissioning the first Proton Therapy Center across Asia, Africa and Australia in Chennai, India. Every four days, the Apollo Hospitals Group touches a million lives, in its mission to bring healthcare of International standards within the reach of every individual.
In a rare honour, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in recognition of Apollo’s contribution, the first for a healthcare organization. Apollo Hospitals Chairman, Dr. Prathap C Reddy, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Vibhushan in 2010. For more than 30 years, the Apollo Hospitals Group has continuously excelled and maintained leadership in medical innovation, world-class clinical services and cutting-edge technology. Our hospitals are consistently ranked amongst the best hospitals globally for advanced medical services and research.
