On the occasion of World Cancer Day, in order to spread awareness to the masses, Wockhardt Hospitals Nagpur conducted a Press Conference with Dr. Vaibhav Chaudhary, Consultant- Medical Oncology.
In the conference, Dr. Chaudhary informed that cancer occurs in 4 stages, stages 1 to 3 are curable while stage 4 is often deemed incurable. Being a Medical Oncologist majority of his patients are stage 4.
The field of cancer research has grown by leaps and bounds in last 20 years. With the help of Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy and oral metronomic chemotherapy this dreaded disease which was considered a death sentence is being converted into a chronic disease like diabetes or hypertension.
At Wockhardt Hospitals, we treat cancer with a personalised approach. We specialise in treating very advanced cancers which have progressed on earlier treatment and having poor prognosis. We enlist few stage 4 cancers who are living a near normal life with personalised cancer therapy at our hospital.
- Stage 4 Lung Cancer: A 62 year old lady was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer three and half years back with water in lungs and difficulty in breathing. Her weight was just 40 kg due to cancer associated weight loss. She was treated with double target therapy after testing for target. She responded and the tumour disappeared with just 3 months of treatment. But the treatment needed to be continued just like treatment of diabetes or hypertension or any chronic disease. As a result patient is absolutely fine today and living a normal life. Her weight has increased to 53 kg, still taking treatment and benefitting.
- Stage 4 Ovary Cancer: 62 year old lady was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer 8 months back with bleeding and intestinal obstruction. Patient was having very poor general condition and was unfit for Chemotherapy. She was given personalised treatment with Oral Metronomic Chemotherapy. She responded to treatment and her Cancer decreased from 15 can to 2 cm over 4 months. She continues to take this treatment and is living a normal life without any complaints.
- Stage 4 Larynx Cancer: A 42 year old man resident of Mumbai was diagnosed stage 4 larynx cancerin January 2021. Because of aggressive nature and poor general condition of patient, he was advised palliative care only in a Mumbai hospital. Theycame to Wockhardt hospitals and was started on targeted therapy and very low dose chemotherapy. Patient had very good response and continues to live a near normal life with targeted therapy.
All these cases reflect that Stage 4 cancer is not a death sentence and a normal life can be achieved with personalised cancer treatment just like any other chronic illness.
