Cancer  has always been a terrifying disease for mankind. Cancer is a disease that can affect any cell in the body.

Normally, when the genetic material (DNA & RNA) inside cells gets damaged, the body itself attempts to repair that damage. If that attempt fails, the body usually destroys those damaged cells. However, when a cell escapes this process and begins to divide uncontrollably, it is understood to have moved into a process called Neoplasia.

When a cell that has escaped the body’s division-control process creates millions of copies of itself through division, all these cells are said to be clones of the mother cell. When these cells multiply through division, they appear as a tumor (lump). If this remains only at the site where it started without spreading to other parts of the body, it is called Benign. If the tumor is one that spreads to other parts, it is called Malignant. This process is called Cancer.

When cancer cells spread to other parts via blood or lymph nodes and reach vital organs (e.g., liver, lungs, brain, etc.), it affects the functioning of those organs and often becomes the cause of death for that individual. Depending on how cancer cells spread to other body parts, the disease state is classified into different stages. Although the Staging System can vary depending on the disease, most diseases are commonly seen to have four stages.

• Stage 1: It may be a small tumor confined within the organ where the cancer started.
• Stage 2 & 3: The cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes of that organ.
• Stage 4: A condition where the disease has spread to other physical organs.

Treatments vary according to the stage. The primary treatment methods are:

1. Surgery
2. Chemotherapy
3. Targeted Therapy
4. Immunotherapy
5. Radiation Therapy
6. Interventional Procedures
7. Radionuclide Therapy

As science progresses, many cancer conditions that were incurable in the past have now become curable. Treatments aimed at completely curing the disease are called Curative treatments. In conditions where a complete cure is not possible, efforts to reduce symptoms, prolong the patient's life, and help them live effectively (Maintain Quality of Life) are called Palliative treatment. Many patients who were previously placed under palliative treatment plans are now are being offered curative treatment. Along with that, Palliative Care and Terminal Care (treatment for those nearing death) continue as parts of palliative treatment.

For the past three years, the department of Oncology (cancer treatment) and Palliative Care has been functioning at Mar Thoma Mission Hospital, Chungathara. As part of the treatment, we have been able to provide Chemotherapy & Targeted Therapy to many patients in need. With the help of the Surgery department, we were able to perform cancer surgeries (Breast Cancer & Thyroid Cancer). With the help of doctors from the General Medicine & General Practice departments, we have been able to provide palliative care and post-cancer treatment services (e.g., treatments required when blood cell counts drop after chemotherapy, etc.). In collaboration with the Snehatheeram Palliative Care Center, we have been able to provide better palliative care services to cancer patients.

May Mar Thoma Mission Hospital continue to provide effective treatments to common people without a huge financial burden, as part of the Lord's healing ministry.

-Dr.Vineeth Mathew John

MBBS, MD , DNB , MNAMS, NFPM