Affordable cancer treatment in Bangalore

Cancer is also termed as malignancy, and this can be defined as an abnormal growth of cells. There are many types of cancer, and if identified on time can be treated effectively with excellent results. Cancer can affect any person within any age group.

Choosing the right hospital

Providing affordable treatment for cancer is challenging in India. However, at OncoIndia, the doctor and his team provide proper treatment and service that all patients would require. The needs of the patients are well seen, and patient satisfaction is given primary importance.

Recent decades have provided hope to patients with genetic research, immunotherapy, and nanotechnology. However, it is challenging to find a hospital with all these facilities at an affordable cost. However, OncoIndia Bangalore stands up for affordable rates for all types of cancer treatments and services. 

The hospital is considered to be an integrated cancer treatment center. They assure that they offer world-class treatment for all types of cancer. Their costs are low as compared to international cancer treatment services. 

Generally, people tag cities to be expensive, and the same applies to hospitals and their services. Patients are always concerned and worried about the excessive amount that they need to pay for the treatment, and here the hospital has amazingly drawn down an accurate charge for the services offered. 

The hospital is known for its coordination, patient-centric values, and cost-effective services. With these values and motives, the hospital has achieved wide popularity even abroad. Their services and treatments have seen inquiries from patients from other countries as well. 

At times, patients are skeptical when the rates are way too affordable as the quality could be bad. Whereas, OncoIndia never fails to provide the best quality services to all. Even if the rates are low, the hospital offers the highest quality services and treatments to all their patients.

The main goal of any hospital would be the complete satisfaction of their patients. At OncoIndia, Banglore, the doctor, and team would ensure to provide the right guidelines which are essential concerning cancer treatments.

Visit Us: oncologistindia.com

Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala

Mail us: oncologistindiadrshiva@gmail.com

Book appointment:oncologistindia.com/book-appointment    

What are Tumor Marker Tests for Cancer?

Tumor Markers are substance or protein created either by the cancer cells or by the normal cells in response to cancer growth in the body. They are also called Cancer Makers or Bio Makers.

Some tumor markers are found only in a specific type of cancer, whereas others can be found in several types of cancer. Tumor markers can show up in non-cancerous conditions too. High tumor marker levels can be a sign of cancer. Presence of tumor markers can be detected by testing body samples such as blood and urine.

Tumor Marker Tests.

The test is usually done with people who are already diagnosed with cancer. The test can help to identify if cancer has spread to other organs. By identifying the level of tumor markers it becomes possible to know if the treatment is working. The test helps doctors to diagnose cancer and also to plan the treatment accordingly.

The procedure of the test:

• Your medical assistant will take samples of your blood and urine.
• It will be further sent to the laboratory for analysis.
• If it is found that the level of cancer cells has increased, tumor markers will be measured in many samples taken over a period of time. This process is called serial measurement.

Why is Tumor Marker Test done?

Tumor marker tests are performed to:

• Look for cancer in people who have a strong family history of a particular cancer but themselves show no symptom of it.
• Help diagnose cancer.
• Help identify how far cancer has spread.
• Identify how vigorous the cancer is likely to be.
• Identify what treatment the cancer is likely to respond to.
• Detect how likely it is that cancer will recur after the treatment.
• Identify if cancer treatment is working or to detect if cancer has come back after treatment.

Limitations with Tumor Marker Test.

• Sometimes tumor marker levels can go high in people without cancer.
• Tumor markers will only get high when the condition has worsened.
• Some cancers do not have tumor markers.

Our cancer specialists at ONCOINDIA BENGALURU provide you with quality treatment.

Visit Us: oncologistindia.com

Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala

Mail us: oncologistindiadrshiva@gmail.com

Book appointment:oncologistindia.com/book-appointment    

Oral Cancer: All You Need To Know?

The number of new cases on cancer grows every year even after our knowledge on prevention and treatment of disease is increasing. According to WHO, oral cavity cancer is amongst the most prevalent cancers worldwide whose incidence rates are higher in men than women.

If you have cancer in the mouth, it can affect your day to day routine. Depending on the location, size, and intensity, oral cancer can change your life.
     

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is a fairly common cancer that starts in the mouth or throat. This form of cancer can develop in the lips, tongue, gums, floor, the roof of the mouth, and other places.

The abnormal cells often grow and form a lump or mass called a tumor. These cells can spread to the nearby areas and also to other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis. Oral cancer is very much curable if found and treated at an early stage. An expert doctor or dentist usually find oral cancer in its early stages because the mouth can be easily examined. 

Different types of oral cancer:

• Squamous cell carcinoma, which is the most common.
• Verrucous carcinoma
• Salivary gland tumors     

Who is at risk for oral cancer?

A risk factor is anything that may increase the chance of having a disease. Some risk factors may not be in your control. Men tend to be at higher risk than women for oral cancer, which is diagnosed most often in adults between the ages of 55 and 64 years.

    You're more at risk for it if you have:

• Used tobacco in the past
• Drink alcohol heavily.
• Excess sun exposure
• Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
• Lack of fruits and vegetables in your diet
• Chronic mouth irritation, caused by poorly-fitted dentures
• Betel nut use
• Certain inherited conditions, as Fanconi anemia
• Premalignant conditions of the oral cavity

Discuss with expert oncologists or dentists about your risk factors for oral cancer and what you can do about them.

What are the symptoms?

Oral cancer is often noticed when there are unusual changes in the mouth. Significant signs of oral cancer include:   

• Sore on the lips or in the mouth that will not heal
• Red or white patches in the mouth
• Pain, tenderness, or numbness on the lips or in the mouth
• Lump, thickening, a rough spot, crusty area, or eroded area on the lips, mouth or in the throat
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue
• Change in the way your teeth fit together when you close your mouth
• Lump or growth in your or neck
• Cough or sore throat that will not go away
• Ear Pain 
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarseness or other changes in your voice

Many of the above symptoms can be even caused by other health problems. But it is essential to see your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only an expert doctor can determine if you have cancer.   

How is oral cancer treated?

An expert caregiver decides a cancer treatment depending on the type, stage, and severity of oral cancer. Cancer treatment may be either local or systemic. Local procedures are used to remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in a particular area. Surgery and radiation therapies are considered as local treatments. Systemic treatment is aimed to destroy or control cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body. Chemotherapy is deemed to be systemic therapy. Your expert oncologist may provide you with just one treatment or a combination of treatments. 

Most common treatment methods are: 

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Supportive care

Talk with your healthcare providers about your treatment options to know the benefits and possible side effects of each treatment option. Share your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

Visit Us: oncologistindia.com

Blog Reviewed By: Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala

Mail us: oncologistindiadrshiva@gmail.com

Book appointment:oncologistindia.com/book-appointment    

Surgical Breast Cancer Treatments from the Best Laparoscopic Cancer Surgeon

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in India, having overtaken cervical cancer. In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, breast cancer accounts for 25%-35% of all female cancers.

Breast cancer is also more common in the younger population. Almost 50% of all cases are in the age group of 25-40.  The numbers are staggering and the most disturbing fact is that Indian Council for Medical Research published a report in 2016 which stated that the total number of new cancer cases is expected to be about 15 lakhs. This figure will likely to increase to 18 lakhs in 2020. So, it is of paramount importance to be aware of diagnosis, treatment and surgical options for breast cancer.

Surgical removal of the tumor is the primary treatment for invasive breast cancers. Quite often, radiation therapy will follow to help prevent a local recurrence of the breast cancer depending on the tumor type. There are different types of surgery used to treat breast cancer.

1. Lumpectomy

Lumpectomy is the removal of lump or sweeling, this procedure doesn't require wide mapping, it is done for benign (non cancerous swelling). It involves removing the cancerous breast tissue while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible in place. When a non-malignant tumor such as a fibroadenoma of the breast is removed, it is often called an excisional breast biopsy. Lumpectomy is not suitable for every breast cancer patient, and when it is performed, the amount of tissue removed can vary greatly depending on the extent of the cancer.

The main advantage of lumpectomy is that it can conserve much of the manifestation and sensation of the breast. It is a less invasive surgery and the recovery time is shorter.

After the completion of a lumpectomy, a pathologist will evaluate the tumor margins using the sample of healthy tissue that was removed along with the tumor.  The lumpectomy is considered to be a success if no cancer cells (clear margins) are identified. Nevertheless, if the margins contain malignant cells, further surgery may be required.

2. Breast conservative surgery

It involves removal of cancerous lump with marging and removal of Lymph Nodes. It is less radical surgery, early recover from surgery. Patient undergoing breast conservative surgery require adjuvant radiation therapy irrespective of the pathology, findings.

3. Mastectomy

Mastectomy is a surgical procedure which involves the removal of entire breast. Mastectomy is recommended for benign tumors involving whole of the breast. Ex: Phylloides tumor. Other indicators are as prophalaois in high risk patient to prevent breast cancer. (Ex: Angelina Jolie underwent B/L prophylactic mastectomy to prevent cancer). Mastectomy is also recommended to prevent cancer from occurring in women who have a high risk for breast cancer.

There are several types of mastectomy procedures:

 

Simple or Total Mastectomy:

The entire breast, including the nipple, is removed with the exception of the lymph nodes and muscle tissues.

Double Mastectomy:

A double mastectomy refers to the removal of both breasts due to a high risk of the cancer spreading (metastasize).

Modified Radical Mastectomy:

This is a kind of the total mastectomy that involves the removal of entire breast including the lymph nodes under the arm.

Radical Mastectomy:

This is a variation of the total mastectomy that removes the entire breast, including the lymph nodes under the arm, and the pectoral muscles under the breast. This may be advised only when breast cancer has spread to the chest muscles.

Skin sparing mastectomy: 

This mastectomy approach preserves as much of a patient’s skin as possible. The breast tissue, nipple and areola are removed while the skin on top the breast is left untouched. This type of mastectomy is recommended for those who plan to have immediate breast reconstructive surgery.

Nipple Spearing Mastectomy: 

Sometimes called as total skin-sparing mastectomy, the nipple, areola and skin on top the breast is left intact, while all of the breast tissue, including the ducts to the nipple and areola are removed. Breast reconstructive surgery is done right after the mastectomy.

Cancer cells might have spread into the lymph nodes nearer to the breast and to detect if the breast cancer has spread to axillary (underarm) lymph nodes, one or more of these lymph nodes will be removed and examined.  Lymph nodes may be removed either as part of the surgery to remove the breast cancer or as a separate procedure.

Sentinel Node Biopsy

The surgical procedure to check whether the cancer has spread from primary tumor into lymphatic system is sentinel node biopsy. It is used in finding breast cancer and melanoma. The first few lymph nodes which tumor drains are sentinel nodes.

 

Oncoplastic Surgery for Breast

This surgery begins at the time of breast conservation surgery, or weeks or months to years afterwards (delayed). This is a smooth surgical process, this can be done in one operative setting.

Breast Reconstruction

Those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer are required to go through certain surgeries. The main surgeries for treating breast cancer are mastectomy and lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction surgery is a surgery for rebuilding breasts after mastectomy or lumpectomy. It can be done simultaneously after your breast cancer surgery or at a later time.

There are many different reconstruction techniques available and they can be done months or years after breast cancer surgeries. This is the surgery in which the plastic surgeon reconstructs the breast shape using artificial implants, these implants can be flap of tissue from your body. After the reconstruction surgery proper care has to be taken for recovery. Having reconstruction surgery at the time of mastectomy gives better cosmetic results. However, if one is not sure about having the surgery, it can be done later also. Those who are interested in having a reconstruction, it is better to consult their breast surgeon early on. You may also ask your surgeon for referral to a plastic surgeon so that you can discuss your reconstruction options in advance.

Types

1. Silicon implants for breast augmentation
2. Pedicaled flaps -Latissimus, TRAM flap
3. Free flap transfer
4. Reduction mammoplasty

 

Surgical Oncology in India

Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala, one of the best laparoscopic cancer surgeon in Bangalore, specializes in minimal access surgical techniques and has performed more than 500 surgeries till now. He received extensive training and has done his residency in surgical oncology from esteemed institutions.

Visit @ oncologistindia.com
Mail us: oncologistindiadrshiva@gmail.com
Book appointment: www.oncologistindia.com/book-appointment

Understanding the Types of Thyroid Cancers

Thyroid Cancer is not a type of cancer that typically makes headlines. But it's vital to learn the facts about thyroid cancer because more and more people are being diagnosed with the disease nowadays.  

Nobody ever gives much thought to their thyroid, but the small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck beneath Adam’s apple has a huge influence on your entire body. 

The prevalence of thyroid cancers is rapidly increasing in India especially among the younger population (age group < 40). Reports suggest that cancer of thyroid gland forms the commonest type (60 percent) occurring in the endocrine system. Thyroid cancer also accounts for one percent of all body cancers. This can affect an individual of any age group, although it affects women predominantly in a ratio of 3:1, men are not altogether spared.

Types of Thyroid cancer  

There are four types of thyroid cancer:

• Papillary carcinoma (PTC): This is the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for approximately 70- 80 percent of cases. In fact, this is the 8th most common cancer among women overall as well as the most common cancer in women younger than 25. Papillary carcinomas are slow growing, differentiated cancers that develop from follicular cells which can develop in one or both lobes of the thyroid gland and may spread to nearby lymph nodes in the neck. Although the most common etiologic factors for papillary thyroid cancer include radiation exposure and a family history of thyroid cancer, it is important to note that the majority of patients have no risk factors at all. Luckily, papillary carcinoma is also the thyroid cancer with the best prognosis and most patients can be cured if treated appropriately and early enough.

• Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma (FTC): FTC is the second most common type of malignancy arising from follicular cells, and accounts for approximately one out of 10 cases. This is found more frequently in countries with an insufficient dietary intake of iodine, however, tends to occur less common now days than in the past.  When compared with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), FTC does not spread into lymph nodes of the neck but they are more likely than papillary cancers to spread to other organs, like the lungs or the bones. In general, it is associated with a good prognosis while it is rather more aggressive than papillary cancer.  Follicular carcinoma is further classified into three categories based on the scale of invasion: widely, moderately and minimally invasive FTC.  Minimally invasive FTC is generally a more sluggish, slow-growing disease. Widely invasive FTC is more aggressive and exhibits a poorer prognosis than moderately and minimally invasive FTC.

• Hurthle cell carcinoma (HCC): Also known as oxyphil cell carcinoma, this is a subtype of follicular carcinoma and accounts for approximately 3 -5 percent of all thyroid cancers. Hurthle cells in thyroid are cells that have undergone oncocytic change (cellular change as a result of accumulation of altered mitochondria. distinguished by a profuse eosinophilic granular cytoplasm) and they can also spread to neck lymph nodes.

• Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC): They are a rare form of thyroid cancer and develop from parafollicular cells or C cells in the thyroid gland; however, they are more aggressive and less differentiated than papillary or follicular cancers. Approximately 3-4 percent of all thyroid cancers will be of the medullary subtype. Compared with the more differentiated thyroid cancers, these cancers are more likely to spread to lymph nodes and other organs. They usually originate in the upper central lobe of the thyroid. 

• Anaplastic carcinoma (ATC): This is the least common type of thyroid cancer and also the most undifferentiated type of thyroid cancer, meaning that it looks the least like normal cells of the thyroid gland. Consequently, it is a very aggressive form of cancer that quickly spreads to other parts of the neck and body. It occurs in approximately 1-2 percent of thyroid cancer cases and are more common in older people (with an average age of about 60).

Thyroid cancer- Unknown facts:

1. Thyroid cancer is becoming more common - Over the last decade, the frequency has increased three to five-fold worldwide. Experts suggest that at least some of that spike is due to increased screening along with improved imaging techniques.
2.  Thyroid cancer may not present symptoms – You may be aware of classical thyroid symptoms. Sometimes thyroid cancer may be asymptomatic or completely without symptoms. This means, there is a possibility it has developed even if you do not present symptoms of thyroid cancer.  
3. 2 in 3 cases are in people younger than 55-
4. Though cancer, in general, is rare among the younger population, most thyroid cancer patients are in the age group of 30-50, and about 2% of thyroid cancers occur in teens and children. Thyroid cancer tops the chart for cancer in women of age group 15-30 and the second most common cancer (behind breast cancer) for women of age (30-39)
5. Thyroid cancer doesn’t alter the functions of thyroid gland (most of the times) - Unlike hyper- and hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer does not cause symptoms such as heart palpitation, weight changes and thinning hair. Most of the time thyroid cancer doesn’t affect how well your thyroid does its job and there are exceptions, but it continues to function normally
6. If you are a thyroid cancer patient, you are at risk of developing other cancers - Unfortunately, most of thyroid cancer patients are not aware that they have an increased risk of developing secondary forms of cancer. While thyroid cancer has a high rate of survivability, it is really significant for thyroid cancer survivors to remain cautious during and after treatment.

Risk factors for thyroid cancer

Risk factors for thyroid cancer include:

• Having a family history of thyroid cancer
• Those who have a bowel condition known as familial adenomatous polyposis
• Having a history of breast cancer
• Acromegaly – a hormonal disorder where the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone(GH)
• Radiation exposure
• People with  Carney complex or Cowden disease
• Age is also a risk factor. Thyroid cancer is most likely to occur for older people (age group < 40).
• Lifestyle factors such as low iodine diet
• Thyroid cancer is more prevalent among Asian people 

Dr. Shiva Kumar Uppala, one of the best cancer doctors in India who has performed more than 500 surgeries till now, is an experienced surgical oncologist with specialization in minimal access surgical techniques. He received extensive training and has done his residency in surgical oncology from esteemed institutions.  Considered as the best for thyroid cancer treatment in India, contact his services for the best oncology treatments in Bangalore.

Visit @ oncologistindia.com
Mail us: oncologistindiadrshiva@gmail.com
Book appointment: oncologistindia.com/book-appointment