BHUBANESWAR: Can cancer be diagnosed at an early stage? Is it 100 per cent curable? Modern technology is making it possible, said experts at a workshop organised by Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here on Saturday.
Noted Gastroenterologist from Surat-based SIDS Hospital Dr Pankaj N Desai said with advancement of technology, it is now possible to identify micro changes in the tissue and cells when the cancer is at a very early stage. “It is a misconception that cancer is not curable. If diagnosed early and properly, cancer can be completely cured, even without surgery,” he claimed.
The new technology, which include Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) and High Resolution Endoscopy, Dr Desai said it is possible to see the cell structure and macro blood vessels inside and beneath the cell.
“The technology is now helping physicians diagnose cancer at an early stage when it is localised and has not spread to other parts of the body. NBI uses a narrow spectrum of white light, magnifying the image to see the micro changes and easily diagnose cancer,” he said.
Elaborating on the new technologies, Dr Desai said Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) helps in completely treating cancer endoscopically without resorting to open surgery. The surgeries are extremely cost effective, done safely without any requirement of blood and the patient can be discharged from hospital the next day, he said.
Dr Desai is holding the two-day workshop which will greatly benefit the surgeons of Odisha in conducting the procedures. It will conclude on Sunday.
Head of the Department of Gastroenterology Dr Manoj Kumar Sahu said facilities for NBI and ESD are available at IMS and SUM Hospital and the procedures are being conducted successfully.
“The patients, who had undergone the procedures after being detected with cancer at an early stage, have not shown any complications yet,” Dr Sahu added.