New cancer research wing at PMCH soon

PATNA: With the rise in the number of cancer cases in recent years, the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) has decided to set up a cancer research wing, which will document the nature, stage at the time of detection, previous medication, food habits, lifestyle and other personal details of the patients. About 100 cancer patients reach the PMCH outpatient department (OPD) every day.
The mode of treatment and pace of recovery at PMCH would also be part of the wing.PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said the research wing would provide valuable information that would help the government and other organizations to formulate their policies for prevention and treatment of this disease. Free of cost treatment of cancer by radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery is provided at PMCH.
He said the oncology department of PMCH, established in 1932, is one of the oldest medical departments of the country where patients from far off places come for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Hence, setting up of a research wing would be of larger interest to both medical institutions and policymakers, he added.
While the average number of cancer patients in the PMCH OPD two years ago was about 50, it has jumped to about 100 every day, confirmed head of oncology department Dr PN Pandit. The maximum number of cases are of oral cancer mainly due to tobacco habits. All the beds in indoor wards remain occupied.
Oral cancer is followed by gall bladder, cervical and breast cancer. He said the percentage of recovery in cancer cases by radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery was about 75 to 80% at PMCH. He said poor hygiene, adulterated food and tobacco in any form caused cancer.
“Very soon, a brachytherapy machine and some other modern equipment would be installed as the proposal for their purchase was in advance stage with the state government. It would also facilitate restoration of the postgraduate teaching in oncology which has been discontinued for the last couple of years,” said Pandit.