Penn Nalam, a woman-centric cancer centre

Acquired at a cost of Rs.8 crore, the state-of-the-art equipment would be used in radiation treatment targeting cancer cells, minimising the damage to the surrounding healthy cells

Link from The Hindu

New Radiation Planning Technique Effective Against Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively throughout the 20^th century in a number of military and industrial applications. This type of cancer develops in the mesothelial cells that make up the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen. Symptoms typically take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to become noticeable, so the cancer is often diagnosed in advanced stages when treatment options are limited. If the disease is caught early enough, several forms of treatment can be used to fight the cancer, known as multimodality therapy.

A recently published study in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology says that using treatment planning techniques such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) could be helpful for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients.

A multimodality therapy approach involving a surgical procedure known as an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), chemotherapy and radiotherapy is often suggested for patients diagnosed during the early stages of pleural mesothelioma. However, setting up radiotherapy treatment after EPP can be difficult due to the large target area, the high doses necessary to prevent recurrence and the proximity of vital organs and other important structures.

V. Gupta and colleagues examined the local and nodal (lymph nodes) recurrence in patients treated with EPP and radiation therapy to establish whether IMRT could be used as a treatment method.

The study included 86 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma who had undergone radiotherapy and an EPP. The radiotherapy technique included a combination of photons and electrons to maximize the dosage to the targeted area.

The results of the study showed that only 10 percent of patients developed late grade three pulmonary toxicity and no patients passed away. V. Gupta and colleagues concluded, “IMRT’s advantages must be balanced against the increased risk of fatal pulmonary toxicity.”

Errors in radiation treatment of cancer: News item

Unknown to many, BARC has been, since 1976, rendering a priceless service to radiation therapy centres in India. It ensured that the error in the radiation dose to millions of cancer patients who undergo treatment remained within the clinically acceptable limits of plus or minus 5 per cent of the dose prescribed by radiation oncologists.

Link to news item

Cancer survivor celebrates success in Class X examination with hospital staff

Fathima came to the hospital on Monday to celebrate her success with the doctors and staff membersFathima's Story

Fighting Cancer With Knowledge & Hope: A Guide for Patients, Families and Health Care Providers: Book by Dr. Richard Frank

While giant strides are being made in areas ranging from treatment to patient comfort, Frank found that written information that explains cancer—and many of the factors that surround it—in plain, understandable language was lacking.

Link to the news item on a book by Dr. Richard Frank

Cancer's Best Medicine--A Self-Help and Wellness Guide

This 64-page self-help book explains what individuals can do to stop the process of cancer, and in turn prevent malignant tumor symptoms from forming. Since cancer develops because of a problem with the body's metabolism, it is most important to understand that this dreaded disease is closely linked to diet and lifestyle. According to Mr. Emeka, the cure for cancer will continue to be a mystery as long as it is insisted that cancer is solved by simply shrinking or removing the malignant tumor(s)

Study on cancer risk for radiation workers

Link to a news item on that study