Tata Memorial announces R&D for early detection of Throat cancer

Published On 2015-06-04 06:10 GMT   |   Update On 2015-06-04 06:10 GMT
Announces an early detection technique to save many lives

Tata Memorial hospital in Mumbai, an epitome of cancer research and treatment in India, has now achieved another breakthrough in cancer detection technology. Few Tata doctors present at a recent meeting of the American society of Clinical Oncology at Chicago announced their R&D achievement, of an early detection of throat cancer. The findings have also been reported in the English online medical journal, for a reference study in detail. The innovation is an extra cut along the neck, to detect the spread of malignant tumor or cancer, from oral cavity to the neck. The cut would be a preventive treatment (in medical terms prophylaxis), to avoid a radiation or a chemotherapy treatment at a later stage.

 

Indian figures for throat cancer are notably high, with one lakh cases reported each year. This form of cancer is most common in Indian men, and the third most common cause of malignancy in women. The ignorance of reporting it earlier, or also, the risk of detecting the cancerous lumps in the neck, keeps the treatment at bay. A neck dissection is a risk able proposition, considering it cuts around your nerves which control your facial expression and spine, veins and arteries along the neck. As a result, an early detection doesn’t happen very frequently, resulting in untimely deaths-within 12 months of diagnosis.
Advertisement

 

Alarmingly, in most cases the lesion in the oral cavity (in your tongue or jaw bone) is an early stage, which goes unnoticed by many patients. At present, the fact that the lesion has spread to your neck, can only be confirmed with a neck dissection. Hence, avoided by many people, till the time the bulge doesn’t reoccur. Also, many more symptoms call for action. A sore throat, hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, ear pain, wheezing, are few early symptoms which should not be ignored. Likely, these systems are not correctly diagnosed, until aided with a thorough medical investigation.

 

If a person decides not to undergo a neck dissection, he/she puts himself at greater risk to quality of life, and a reduced chance of survival. The research by Tata Memorial stimulates a brief pause to change our own clinical habits, and more seriously answers the unprecedented scoop of timely detection of throat cancer. Neck detection can save many more lives, by an early stage investigation of throat cancer. All it requires is a 30 minutes extra on the operation table, to enable a proper investigation of the malignant tumor. As a result, it’s a safe investment with high probability of gifting a fair chance of survival.

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Similar News