TECH UP THE CHALLENGE
THE WEEK India|December 15, 2024
Precision technology is revolutionising cancer care
NIRMAL JOVIAL
TECH UP THE CHALLENGE

In September 2023, Ravi (name changed), a 67-year-old from Bengaluru, developed symptoms of jaundice. Further investigations brought more alarming news: he had an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer with a poor prognosis. A PET scan revealed that the malignant lesion had advanced, complicating treatment.

To treat his jaundice, doctors performed a stenting procedure. Ravi then underwent eight cycles of neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy to shrink the tumour. This was followed by 27 sessions of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).

Typically, cancer treatment involves three main approaches: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, sometimes combined with immunotherapy. Surgery aims to remove all visible cancer. However, microscopic cancer cells that are too small to detect may remain in the area around the surgery site. If left untreated, these cells can grow back, causing the cancer to recur. To address this, radiotherapy is given after surgery to target these residual cells.

In Ravi's case, despite the treatments he underwent, a followup PET CT scan showed the disease affecting nearby critical blood vessels. Surgery was seen as an inadequate option as it could still leave behind some cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer near major blood vessels is hard to remove completely, increasing the chances of the cancer coming back. Conventional radiation doses, limited to 50-54 Gy, are often not strong enough to treat cancer near vital structures fully.

Conventional radiotherapy has other limitations, too. It involves delivering radiation from outside the body, which means it must pass through healthy tissues-such as skin, fat, intestines or kidneys-before reaching the target area. This can harm normal tissues and still may not reach the intended location with precision, as pinpointing the exact spot of residual cancer deep inside the body can be challenging.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 15, 2024-Ausgabe von THE WEEK India.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 15, 2024-Ausgabe von THE WEEK India.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE WEEK INDIAAlle anzeigen
Forging the future
THE WEEK India

Forging the future

As the curtain falls on 2024, I take pride in the extraordinary milestones achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This year stands as a testament to the Modi government's resolve to forge a resilient and forward-looking Bharat. From groundbreaking advancements in infrastructure to visionary global initiatives, these efforts resonate deeply with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
Our strange democracy
THE WEEK India

Our strange democracy

Abraham Lincoln is lauded as among the very best presidents the US ever had: the statesman par excellence successfully steered the nation through the devastating and perilous years of the American civil war. Not only did Lincoln manage to keep his country united, he also ensured the passage of the 13th amendment to the US constitution, which abolished slavery.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
Five years of post-pandemic fashion
THE WEEK India

Five years of post-pandemic fashion

It has been five years since we discovered what Covid-19 was, and five years since it disrupted the world forever. The World Health Organization activated their emergency systems on January 1, 2020, and informed the world by January 4, 2020. By the end of that week, they had set guidelines for various countries to follow. Comparable to the Spanish flu of 1918, more than 7 million people have died of Covid according to official data. Unofficially, no one has an idea. WHO has just this week asked China to provide critical data to understand the virus's origins as a “moral and scientific imperative”.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
Community spirit
THE WEEK India

Community spirit

Rhythm of Dammam opens a window to the world of African-origin Siddis of Uttara Kannada

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
'Breaking' down a scandal
THE WEEK India

'Breaking' down a scandal

Society Girl is not just a case study of a high-profile death in Pakistan but also a stark commentary on media trials

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
Progress card
THE WEEK India

Progress card

Jasmine Shah's book tells you what the AAP has achieved in Delhi in the last 10 years

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
SENSE IN NONSENSE
THE WEEK India

SENSE IN NONSENSE

In his latest book of poetry, Ruskin Bond is at his funniest

time-read
4 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
Get ready for Trump bump
THE WEEK India

Get ready for Trump bump

The ‘butterfly effect’ is a beautiful, mysterious metaphor of the planet’s interconnectedness.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
QUIET FLOWS THE FAITH
THE WEEK India

QUIET FLOWS THE FAITH

The melding of an ancient amorphous faith and the latest science; of an antique tradition and new practices; ways of life older than memory and new expressions is happening at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025
Trash to treasure
THE WEEK India

Trash to treasure

How a weed-choked Dal Lake spurred Maninder Singh's journey to become a waste management visionary

time-read
6 Minuten  |
January 12, 2025