Friday 31 January 2014

Best Cancer Hospitals of India for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treatment

Most head and neck cancers begin in the cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck area, e.g., mouth, nose, and throat. Mucosal surfaces are moist tissues lining hollow organs and cavities of the body open to the environment. Normal mucosal cells look like scales (squamous) under the microscope, so head and neck cancers are often referred to assquamous cell carcinomas. Some head and neck cancers begin in other types of cells. For example, cancers that begin in glandular cells are called adenocarcinomas.



  • Nasaopharyngeal Cancer :The nasopharynx is the airway passageway at the upper part of the nose at the back of the nose.

  • Salivary Gland Cancer :Saliva produced by the salivary gland is the fluid that is released within the mouth in order to keep the mouth moist. Mouth helps in breaking down the food as it contains certain enzymes

  • Hypopharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancer : A tube shaped organ located in the neck used for swallowing, breathing and talking is the larynx. The hypopharnx, also referred to as gullet, is the lower part of the throat surrounding the larynx.

  • Oropharyngeal and Oral Cancer :Both tongue and the mouth is included in the oral cavity. The middle part of the throat is included in oropharynx.

  • Paranasal Sinus and Nasal Cavity Cancer :The air-filled areas surrounding the nasal cavity is known as the paranasal sinuses. The space at the back of the nose from where air passes on the way to the throat is known as the nasal cavity.



The exams and tests conducted may vary depending on the symptoms. Examination of a sample of tissue under the microscope is always necessary to confirm a diagnosis of cancer :
  • Urine and blood test /Physical examination : Lumps in the cheeks, lips, neck and gums are examined by performing a physical examination of a patient. Abnormalities are also noticed by inspecting throat, nose, tongue and mouth. Cancer can be diagnosed by performing urine and blood tests.

  • Endoscopy :It is the use of a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope to examine areas inside the body. The type of endoscope the Surgical Oncologist uses depends on the area being examined. For example, a laryngoscope is inserted through the mouth to view the larynx; an esophagoscope is inserted through the mouth to examine the esophagus; and a nasopharyngoscope is inserted through the nose so that the surgical oncologist can see the nasal cavity and nasopharynx.

  • Laboratory tests : examine samples of blood, urine, or other substances from the body.

  • X-ray : This helps in creating pictures of the structures within the body by using little radiation. The abnormalities of the swallowing passage can be identified by a barium swallow.

  • CT scan : A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the head and neck created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine.

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) : The detailed images of the body that include base of the tongue and the tonsils are produced by performing an MRI that makes use of magnetic fields.

  • PET scan : PET scan uses sugar that is modified in a specific way so it is absorbed by cancer calls and appears as dark areas on the scan.

  • Biopsy : A small amount of tissue is removed for examining under a microscope for diagnosing head and neck cancer.



Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy are the three main types of treatment for administering head and neck cancer. Surgery or radiation therapy is considered as the primary treatments while chemotherapy is usually used as an adjuvant or additional treatment. Primary cancer can be easily treated with the help of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can also effectively treat the neck. A neck dissection is also sometimes necessary for removing involved lymph nodes in the neck when the amount of disease in the neck nodes is very wide.

Surgery is considered as a very important treatment that can be done either before or after the radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is given afterward when it is necessary to remove the primary tumor surgically. The tumor is first tried to shrink by using radiotherapy and surgery is followed by radiotherapy.

Following radiation therapy procedures are used for treating head and neck cancer :
  • Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT):The specific areas inside the tumor or malignant tumors are targeted by this high-precision radiotherapy that makes use of computer-controlled x-ray accelerators that delivers precise radiation doses. The high intensity radiation beam is focused on the tumor so as to damage it without disturbing any surrounding healthy cells.

  • External Beam Therapy (EBT) : Through this therapy, a high-energy beam x-rays are delivered at the location of the tumor. The tumor site is the target of this beam and it can destroy cancer cells while sparing nearby healthy tissues. There is no placement of radioactive sources in the body of a patient.

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Thursday 30 January 2014

How is gallbladder cancer diagnosed?

Some gallbladder cancers are found after a gallbladder has been removed to treat gallstones or chronic (long-term) gallbladder inflammation. Gallbladders removed for those reasons are always looked at under a microscope by a pathologist (a doctor specializing in diagnosis of disease through lab tests) to see if they contain cancer cells. Most gallbladder cancers, though, are not found until patients go to a doctor because they have symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer

Signs and symptoms are usually not present until the later stages of gallbladder cancer, but in some cases they may lead to an early diagnosis. If you go to your doctor when you first notice symptoms, your cancer might be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment may be more effective. Some of the most common symptoms of gallbladder cancer are:

Abdominal pain
When they are first diagnosed, most people with gallbladder cancer have abdominal (stomach area) pain. Most often this is in the upper right part of the abdomen.

Nausea and/or vomiting
Many people with gallbladder cancer report vomiting as a symptom.

Jaundice
Jaundice is a condition that gives a yellowish color to the skin and the white part of the eyes. When bile from the liver can’t drain into the intestines because a cancer is blocking the bile duct, bilirubin, a chemical in bile that gives it a yellow color, may build up in the blood and settle in different parts of the body. This can cause the color changes seen in the skin and eyes. Some patients with gallbladder cancer have jaundice when they are diagnosed.

Gallbladder enlargement
If cancer is blocking the bile duct, bile can also build up in the gallbladder, making it larger than usual. The enlarged gallbladder can sometimes be felt by the doctor during a physical exam. It can also be detected by imaging tests such as ultrasound.

Diagnosis of Gallbladder Cancer

• Physical Examination and History : An examination of the body is done to check general signs of health, including checking for signs of disease, such as lumps or anything else that seems unusual.

• Liver Function Tests : A procedure in which a blood sample is checked to measure the amounts of certain substances released into the blood by the liver.

• Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Assay : A test that measures the level of CEA in the blood. CEA is released into the bloodstream from both cancer cells and normal cells.

• CT Scan (CAT Scan) : A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, such as the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, taken from different angles.

• Ultrasound Exam : A procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. An abdominal ultrasound is done to diagnose gallbladder cancer.

• PTC (Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography) : It is a radiologic technique used to visualize the anatomy of the biliary tract. A contrast medium is injected into a bile duct in the liver, after which X-rays are taken. It allows access to the biliary tree in cases where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been unsuccessful.

• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) : ERCP can be performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. The technique combines the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat certain problems of the liver, gall bladder, pancreas and the common bile and pancreatic duct. Through the endoscope, the physician can see the inside of the stomach and duodenum, and inject radiographic contrast into the ducts in the biliary tree and pancreas so they can be seen on X-rays.

• Biopsy : The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer.

• Laparoscopy : This is a small operation that allows the doctors to look at the gall bladder, the liver and other internal organs in the area around the gall bladder. It is done under a general anesthesia and means a shorter stay in hospital.

Advanced Robotic Surgery for Gallbladder Cancer

Single-Site da Vinci Surgery is minimally invasive - performed through a single small incision using state-of-the-art technology. This procedure is performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. da Vinci is a state-of-the-art robotic surgical platform that translates your surgeon’s hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of instruments inside your body. da Vinci’s vision system provides your surgeon with 3D-HD visualization allowing for enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. During the entire procedure, your surgeon is 100% in control of the da Vinci System.
da Vinci Surgery offers patients the following potential benefits:
  • Minimal Scarring.
  • Minimal Pain.
  • Low Blood Loss.
  • Fast Recovery.
  • Short Hospital Stay.
  • High Patient Satisfaction.

Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia - Warning Signs of Leukemia

Leukemia is the overproduction of blood cells that are abnormal or “stuck” in an early stage of the maturation process. These leukemia cells are non functional and are unable to do the job of healthy, mature blood cells. In addition, their presence in the bone marrow crowds and prevents the ability of normal blood forming cells to do their jobs. This leads to the signs and symptoms of leukemia.

When acute leukemia is diagnosed, there are usually already a large and rapidly growing number of leukemia cells. Signs and symptoms may have been present for less than three months, or even as little as a few days.
Because chronic leukemia develops much more slowly and produces cells that are more functional than acute leukemia, signs and symptoms may arise over a very long period of time, or not at all. In fact, many cases of chronic leukemia are found by chance during routine check ups.

The most common symptoms of leukemia are vague and non-specific. As a result, they are often explained away by the patient as “coming down with something” or getting “run down.” 

  • Feeling weak, tired or generally unwell. In most cases, this is caused by a decreased number of red blood cells in the bloodstream, or anemia. This prevents adequate oxygen being transported to your tissues and muscles, leaving your body feeling fatigued and weak.
  • Frequent Infections. Leukemia cells are not only abnormal or too underdeveloped to help your body fight off infection, they also inhibit the ability of the bone marrow to produce healthy white blood cells. As a result, people affected by leukemia are very prone to developing infections. Common sites of infection include the mouth and throat, skin, lungs, urinary tract or bladder, or the area around the anus.
  • Unexplained Fevers. In some cases, leukemia cells can cause your body to release chemicals that stimulate your brain to raise your body temperature. Fevers can also be caused by an infection.
  • Abnormal Bruising or Excessive Bleeding. The abnormal production of leukemia cells prevents the bone marrow from making adequate numbers of healthy blood cells, such as platelets. Platelets are fragments of cells that clump together and stop or slow bleeding when an injury occurs to a blood vessel. When there are insufficient platelets or thrombocytopenia, bleeding may occur in the form of nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding gums, bruises and tiny red spots under the skin called “petechiae” (pet-eek-ee-eye).
  • Bone and Joint Pain. Bone and joint pain is most common in areas where there is a large amount of bone marrow, such as the pelvis (hips) or breastbone (sternum). This is caused by the crowding of the marrow with excessive numbers of abnormal white blood cells.
  • Enlarged Lymph Nodes. Sometimes, leukemia cells can accumulate in the lymph nodes and cause them to become swollen and tender.

Symptoms of Leukemia depend on how much the cancer has grown and may include:

  Fevers and night sweats.
  Frequent or unusual infections.
  Bruising of the skin and bleeding from the gums or rectum.
  Bone pain.
  Swelling in the belly or pain on the left side of the belly or radiating pain in the left shoulder from a swollen spleen.
  Decreased appetite and weight loss because you feel full and don't want to eat.



Chemotherapy : Chemotherapy may be given as pills or by injection. Chemotherapy drugs interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread, but they also damage healthy cells. Although healthy cells can recover over time, you may experience side effects from your treatment like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, hair loss and an increased risk of infection.

Radiation Therapy : It uses high doses of radiation, such as X-rays, to destroy cancer cells. Radiation is usually given from a machine outside the body that directs radiation to the cancer (external radiation). Radiation is also used to treat acute leukemia that has spread to the brain and spinal cord.

Stem Cell Transplant : Some people with leukemia receive a stem cell transplant. A stem cell transplant allows you to be treated with high doses of drugs, radiation, or both. The high doses destroy both leukemia cells and normal blood cells in the bone marrow. Before high-dose chemotherapy is given, stem cells will be taken from you or from a donor whose bone marrow is a close match to your own. Soon after the chemotherapy treatment, the stem cells are put back into your blood. Within a few weeks, the new stem cells will start to make blood cells.

Biological Therapy : Biological therapy uses your immune system to fight cancer or to help control side effects of other cancer treatments. Natural body substances or drugs made from natural body substances are used to boost the body’s own defences against illness.
Targeted Therapy : Targeted therapies use drugs that attack specific types of cancer cells without damaging healthy cells. Cancer growth inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy.

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Monday 27 January 2014

Brain Tumor Basic Facts and Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment in India

When most normal cells grow old or get damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. Sometimes, this process goes wrong. New cells form when the body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die as they should. The buildup of extra cells often forms a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.




Primary brain tumors can be benign or malignant:

Benign brain tumors do not contain cancer cells:
- Usually, benign tumors can be removed, and they seldom grow back.
- Benign brain tumors usually have an obvious border or edge. Cells from benign tumors rarely invade tissues around them. They don't spread to other parts of the body. However, benign tumors can press on sensitive areas of the brain and cause serious health problems.
- Unlike benign tumors in most other parts of the body, benign brain tumors are sometimes life threatening.
- Benign brain tumors may become malignant.

Malignant brain tumors (also called brain cancer) contain cancer cells:
- Malignant brain tumors are generally more serious and often are a threat to life.
- They are likely to grow rapidly and crowd or invade the nearby healthy brain tissue.
- Cancer cells may break away from malignant brain tumors and spread to other parts of the brain or to the spinal cord.
- They rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Risk Factors

When you're told that you have a brain tumor, it's natural to wonder what may have caused your disease. But no one knows the exact causes of brain tumors. Doctors seldom know why one person develops a brain tumor and another doesn't. Researchers are studying whether people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop a brain tumor. A risk factor is something that may
increase the chance of getting a disease. Studies have found the following risk factors for brain tumors:


Ionizing radiation: Ionizing radiation from high dose x-rays (such as radiation therapy from a large machine aimed at the head) and other sources can cause cell damage that leads to a tumor. People exposed to ionizing radiation may have an increased risk of a brain tumor, such as meningioma or glioma.

Family history: It is rare for brain tumors to run in a family. Only a very small number of families have several members with brain tumors.Researchers are studying whether using cell phones, having had a head injury, or having been exposed to certain chemicals at work or to magnetic fields are important risk factors.

Surgery is the usual first treatment for most brain tumors. Before surgery begins, you may be given general anesthesia, and your scalp is shaved. You probably won't need your entire head shaved. Surgery to open the skull is called a craniotomy. The surgeon makes an incision in your scalp and uses a special type of saw to remove a piece of bone from the skull. You may be awake when the surgeon removes part or all of the brain tumor. The surgeon removes as much tumor as possible. You may be asked to move a leg, count, say the alphabet, or tell a story. Your ability to follow these commands helps the surgeon protect important parts of the brain. After the tumor is removed, the surgeon covers the opening in the skull with the piece of bone or with a piece of metal or fabric. The surgeon then closes the incision in the scalp.

Sometimes surgery isn't possible. If the tumor is in the brain stem or certain other areas, the surgeon may not be able to remove the tumor without harming normal brain tissue. People who can't have surgery may receive radiation therapy or other treatment.
Brain Tumor is no more a scary health condition as modern technology and advanced surgical modalities now offer near perfect clinical outcomes and the patients can soon return to normal life after surgery.

Following Advanced Minimally Invasive Techniques for Brain Tumor Treatment are available in Brain & Spine Centres of Excellence at our associated Super Specialty Hospitals in India





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Thursday 23 January 2014

Warning Signs of Breast Cancer - Best Cancer Hospitals of India for Advanced Breast Cancer Treatment

Due to the increased use of mammography, most women in the United States are diagnosed at an early stage of breast cancer, before symptoms appear. However, not all breast cancers are found through mammography.

The warning signs of breast cancer are not the same for all women. The most common symptoms are a change in the look or feel of the breast, a change in the look or feel of the nipple and nipple discharge.
In most cases, these changes are not cancer. For example, breast pain is more common with benign (not cancer) breast conditions than with breast cancer. However, the only way to know for sure is to see your provider. If breast cancer is present, it is best to find it at an early stage, when the chances of survival are highest.  


Many women may find that their breasts feel lumpy. Breast tissue naturally has a bumpy texture. For some women, the lumpiness is more pronounced than for others. In most cases, this lumpiness is no cause to worry.  

If the lumpiness can be felt throughout the breast and feels like your other breast, then it is probably normal breast tissue.  
Lumps that feel harder or different from the rest of the breast (or the other breast) or that feel like a change are a concern and should be checked. When this type of lump is found, it may be a sign of breast cancer or a benign breast condition (such as a cyst or fibroadenoma).
See your health care provider if you:
  • Find a new lump or any change that feels different from the rest of your breast.
  • Find a new lump or any change that feels different from your other breast.
  • Feel something that is different from what you felt before.
If you are unsure whether you should have a lump checked, it is best to see your provider. Although a lump may be nothing to worry about, you will have the peace of mind that it has been checked.  

Nipple discharge
Liquid leaking from your nipple (nipple discharge) can be troubling, but it is rarely a sign of cancer. Discharge can be your body's natural reaction when the nipple is squeezed.  
Signs of a more serious condition, such as breast cancer, include discharge that:
  • Occurs without squeezing the nipple
  • Occurs in only one breast
  • Is bloody or clear (not milky)
Nipple discharge can also be caused by an infection or other condition that needs medical treatment. For these reasons, if you have any nipple discharge, see your health care provider.  

What are benign breast conditions?

The term benign breast conditions (also known as benign breast diseases) describes many noncancerous disorders that can affect the breast. Your health care provider may also use the term fibrocystic change to describe a range of benign breast conditions.
Some benign breast conditions can cause discomfort or pain and need treatment. Others do not need medical treatment. Many benign breast conditions mimic the symptoms of cancer and need tests (and sometimes a biopsy) for diagnosis. Though the thought of breast cancer is scary , most biopsies find a benign breast condition, not cancer.  Benign breast conditions can occur in both women and men.

Types of benign breast conditions
There are many benign breast conditions. Some of the more common conditions include:
These conditions differ from each other in how the cells look under a microscope. For example, hyperplasia cells look different from fibroadenoma cells. If you are diagnosed with a benign breast condition (or are told you have a fibrocystic change), it is important to find out which type you have.  

MedworldIndia offers comprehensive care for patients with Breast Cancer, including advanced diagnosis, best treatment options . A team of Surgical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Urologists, Rehabilitation team and other medical specialties work together to treat each Breast Cancer patient We consider each patient's type and extent of Breast Cancer to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. They also carefully consider and select the treatment option that will allow the patient to maintain quality of life with good survival rate.

Why should you choose to get Indian hospitals offer the Best Cancer Treatment in India at affordable prices. MedWorld india associated Best Cancer Treatment Hospitals in India have the latest technology and infrastructure to offer the Most Advanced Cancer Treatment at low cost.

At MedWorld India Affiliated Best Cancer Hospitals are to deliver highest quality and advanced oncology care in a supportive and compassionate environment to all our patients, and to advance the treatment and prevention of cancers through innovative research.


·         World class results for Cancer Treatment
·         World Class equipment for investigations, radiotherapy and surgery
·         Cancer specialists with great qualifications and experience
·         India has many super specialists ( specialization in one particular area: Breast Cancers, Stomach Cancers, Prostate Cancers, etc)
·         Low cost of cancer treatment
·         India offers the perfect combination of expertise and economical costs

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