COLON CANCER TREATMENT - FORTIS HEALTHCARE

The choice of treatment for colon cancer depends largely on the stage the patient is in.In most cases, radiation, chemotherapy and surgery is sought for the treatment of colon cancer.The actual treatment adopted depends on the decision taken by the surgeon operating on the patient.Surgeon concerned takes call depending upon the severity of the cancer in the patient.

The types of surgery used to treat colon and rectal cancers are slightly different :

Colon surgery

Surgery is often the main treatment for earlier stage colon cancers.

Colectomy: A colectomy (sometimes called a hemicolectomy or segmental resection) involves removing part of the colon, as well as nearby lymph nodes.

Prior to surgery, one has to make sure the bowels are completely empty. Just before the surgery, general anesthesia is given, which puts into a deep sleep. During the surgery, surgeon will make an incision in the abdomen.Removes the cancer and a small segment of normal colon on either side of your cancer. Usually, about one fourth to one third of the colon is removed. The remaining sections of the colon are then reattached.

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SPINAL DISC REPLACEMENT IN INDIA-On Ground zero

SPINAL DISC REPLACEMENT IN INDIA
Artificial Disc was the first disc approved for disc replacement use in the general population of back pain patients in India. There is a great deal of interest in the medical community and among back pain patients regarding the potential of artificial discs for lumbar disc replacement. It’s important to remember that artificial discs are not a miracle cure. Like any medical treatment for low back pain, lumbar artificial disc replacement surgery in India has both good potential and some considerable risks. Given that artificial discs are still a relatively new technology and procedure, disc replacement surgery in India also has a number of unknown risks.

The lower back pain or the lumbar as it is most popularly known has been the cause for worry amongst many youngsters.The disc injuries have risen multifold over the years owing to modern lifestyles that bring along stress with them.The demands of today's rat race has made sure that atleast 5 out of 10 people succumb to the injuries that are not so long ago were considered to be occuring to those in the old age.So does the cases for disc replacement of spine in India have risen to an all time record.It is important to note that modern spinal fusion techniques and technologies have dramatically improved the outcomes of fusion surgery in recent years.

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An Unkind "Benign" Tumour

Tumours that start in the brain are called primary brain tumours. Some types of brain tumours are benign and some are malignant.

A benign tumour is made of slow-growing cells and is unlikely to spread. However, a benign tumour may cause problems because it takes up space inside the skull. It may press on the brain or important nerves that come out of the brain (called cranial nerves). The pressure created by the tumour disrupts the normal function and blood flow of these structures. It may raise the pressure in the skull and cause headaches and/or nausea. It is common for benign brain tumours to be treated successfully.

A tumour in the spinal cord will affect the spinal cord by pressing on it. This may stop the flow of messages along the nerves between the brain and body and can affect the control of some parts of the body. Most commonly this can cause difficulty with using the arms or legs or difficulty controlling the bladder or bowel. There may also be changes to the feeling in the skin.

The most common type of malignant brain and spinal tumour is a glioma. Gliomas grow from the supporting cells of the brain.

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COLON CANCER TREATMENT - FORTIS HEALTHCARE

COLON CANCER TREATMENT

Cancer of the last 7 feet of the large intestine. It often occurs along with rectal cancer (colorectal cancer). A variety of tumors are possible, but the most common are adenocarcinomas. It is highly treatable and often curable when diagnosed early. Gastrointestinal cancers include colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and stomach (gastric) cancer. Colorectal cancer may be diagnosed early with after fecal occult blood tests and colonoscopy can improve the prognosis. Surgical treatments may use colon removal (colectomy) and colostomy, which diverts food being processed in the colon.

Colorectal cancer refers to the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the colon or rectum, which are part of the digestive system. This cancer usually begins as polyps, which are abnormal growths in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps are not cancer but can become cancerous over the years. More than 95 percent of colorectal cancer is adenocarcinoma, which is cancer of the gland cells that line the inside wall of the large intestine.

Some risk factors for colorectal cancer cannot be controlled, such as having a family history of this cancer, age and ethnicity. A person with a history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease also has a higher risk for developing colorectal cancer.

However, some lifestyle habits can increase the risk of this cancer. A diet high in animal fat and low in fiber, physical inactivity and smoking are some of the lifestyle habits that increase the risk for colorectal cancer.

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NEUROSURGERY INDIA - FORTIS HEALTHCARE

NEUROSURGERY INDIA

Neuro Surgery & Neurology
This speciality deals with surgical intervention for brain and spine problems. Procedures done are Tumor removal, Blood clot removal etc. Neurological disorders are disorders that affect the central nervous system (brain, brainstem and cerebellum), the peripheral nervous system (peripheral nerves - cranial nerves included) or the autonomic nervous system (parts of which are located in both central and peripheral nervous system).

Major conditions include:

• Headache disorders such as migraine and tension headache (cluster headache)
• Episodic conditions such as seizures and the epilepsies
• Neurodegenerative disorders. The most common class being dementias, including Alzheimer's disease cerebrovascular disease, such as transient ischemic attacks and strokes (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
• Sleep disorders

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Neuroblastoma - An Overview

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancerous tumor that grows from immature nerve cells usually in the abdominal area. It is most common in infants and children, but can also occur in adults. This cancer usually grows in cells of the nervous system but also may grow in the cells of the adrenal glands, which produce and release adrenaline and cortisone. Neuroblastoma may be present at birth but also may be detected later, usually before the age of 5 and very rarely after age 10.

Immature nerve cells called neuroblasts vary in their development. Neuroblasts that do not develop into functioning nerve cells may die with no trace, develop into a benign tumor or become a malignant tumor. The cause for most neuroblastomas is unknown, although a tiny percentage run in families.

Most neuroblastomas do not produce symptoms early in their development. Consequently, they are not diagnosed until they have spread (metastasized) and begin to produce symptoms. Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma can be related to the site of the metastasis, such as an abdominal mass, bone pain or difficulty moving or paralysis. Neuroblastomas in the adrenal glands can cause the release of hormones from the cancer cells and produce high blood pressure and a rapid heart beat.

A neuroblastoma mass is often discovered during a routine physical examination or in an x-ray taken to diagnose an unrelated condition. Cells from the tumor are analyzed by a pathologist and the cancer is staged, which will determine the severity and spread of the cancer. The information is combined with the age of the child, DNA factors, cell type, rate of growth and spread to determine the patient’s treatment and prognosis.

There is no known prevention method for neuroblastoma, and usually detection before symptoms appear is not possible.

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Lou Gehrig’s disease - An Overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological condition that causes gradual loss of mobility in affected patients. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who died from the disease in 1941. Patients with ALS typically die from respiratory failure within three to five years of diagnosis.

ALS is characterized by the degradation and eventual death of motor neurons. These nerve cells transmit signals from the brain to the muscles involved in movement. Without the nerve signals, the muscles stop functioning and begin to waste away (atrophy). A patient is likely to experience muscle weakness that gradually progresses to complete loss of movement (paralysis). Most patients experience the first symptoms after the age of 40.Anyone can develop ALS, but it is a rare condition.

The cause of most cases of ALS is unknown. Between 90 and 95 percent of patients have no family history of the disease. Of the remaining patients with ALS, approximately 20 percent of cases have been linked to a mutation in the SOD1 gene. It is thought that this mutation affects the way in which certain harmful elements are processed in the body, causing them to build up and consequently damage motor neurons. The disease may also be related to glutamate, a neurotransmitter that has been found in high levels in ALS patients.

ALS progresses slowly and its symptoms may not be noticed for some time. Symptoms are likely to include muscle weakness or twitching, slurred and/or nasal speech, and difficulty with chewing and swallowing. Patients are likely to trip more often and lose strength in their hands, which can affect fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes and other such activities of daily living.

The diagnosis of ALS is usually based on the presence of symptoms. A family history of the disease accompanied by signs and symptoms is a strong indication of ALS. A physician may perform tests to exclude other possible causes of muscle weakness. These tests may include electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some tests may be repeated over time to monitor disease is progression.

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