Cancer

You may have heard people refer to a ‘metastatic cancer' or  say that ‘cancer has metastasized’ or is ‘in Stage 4’. But what does that really mean. Dr. Shital Raval explains.  What is Metastasis? Metastasis is a term for when cancer has spread to a different part of a body from where it first originated. Because metastatic cancer is more difficult to control and treat, it is categorized as the last stage or Stage IV. How does Metastasis happen? This happens when cancer cells break…

Sandeep, 25 was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma at 12 years of age.  He saw his father cry quietly in the bathroom. Nobody told him what to expect.  His experience motivated him to work with cancer patients as a Patient Navigator at Cankids. And 5 tips for children facing cancer. I am a Ewing Sarcoma survivor! I was diagnosed at the age of 12.5 years. Early symptoms In September 2006, I started getting pain and some swelling in my right upper arm. Initially I never told anyone because I…

Sunil Dutta, a writer and a poet has found that accepting death, being curious rather than fearful helps in dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. He finds solace in Ghalib and Zauk. Sunil Dutta stared at a scan of his lungs. Hundreds of tiny nodules melded together into a snow-white mass — each pockmark occupying what was once healthy tissue. A normal lung scan is mostly dark grey hues, with a few white spots indicating abnormalities. This was something entirely different. “…

Smriti, 50 from Mumbai was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. The hospital nurse referred to her as the most cheerful patient in the ward. PatientsEngage spoke to her to find out her mantra for a positive attitude. Please tell us a bit about your condition  A. I was recently diagnosed with abdominal cancer. When were you diagnosed? A. My diagnoses came in January 2018. What were the early symptoms? What made you go see a doctor? A. It all started in August 2017…

It has been almost three years since his wife passed away, but the void is hard to reconcile. In an emotional piece, Mario recounts the day when his wife Cheryl was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer, and how family and friends rallied together to make her comfortable and happy in her last days. I first met my wife around Oct 84 in a church in Lucknow and after wooing her to hell and back married her in Oct 85. As a family we had our ups and downs but I daresay we had a beautiful…

Nearly 50% of brain tumours detected are cancerous. While advances in immunological and genetic testing will make early detection possible, your biggest wall of armour will be leading a healthy life, emphasizes Dr. Mohinish Bhatjiwale, consultant neurosurgeon at Nanavati Hospital. What are the most common symptoms of brain tumour? The most common symptoms of brain tumour is headache, unremitting headache associated with vomiting and blurred vision, weakness of any one side. What percentage of…

Pavithra Sakthivel, who had severe headaches and a seizure, was diagnosed with Grade 3 malignant brain tumor. But she recovered quickly in six months. Find out about the treatment and surgical options that worked for her.    I am a 36 year old teacher and an Education Specialist. I was leading a happy, healthy life with my husband and cute 6 year old son till January 2017. Trouble began when I started getting headaches. Initially, they were appeared routine, but grew in frequency and…

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most common cause of deaths related to cancer worldwide. Lynch syndrome or HNPCC is one of most common genetic causes of Colon cancer. Here are a few questions to better understand Lynch syndrome and how we can screen for it. 1. What is the Lynch syndrome? Which genes are involved? Lynch Syndrome is also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC. It has a genetic disposition, hence the term hereditary and is known to be associated or  the…

Dora Mukherjee went through the entire battery of tests and procedures after being detected with a Right Breast Carcinoma. She recalls her pain and anguish as well as the love she received during the critical period. The beginning with a diagnosis My painful journey with cancer started on 1st February 2014 when I was referred by my Bank's Medical Officer to Dr Gandhi's Imaging Clinic for Bilateral Mammography in Mumbai. Sonomammography was done which revealed a case of carcinoma…

We prepare ourselves for everything, but most of us are in denial about death. Aparna Das shares the one final lesson her father taught her during his last few days as he breathed his last. My father was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in October 2017. Of course, he and all of us did everything in our capacity to save him. But he passed away on the 20th of April 2018. The three days leading to his death were probably the most painful that our family had faced collectively. But I have a…