It’s been said that “cancer” is one of those words in our vocabulary that no matter when you hear it whispered, you cringe and turn away. It’s a frightening word and one that many people dread hearing because it can mean the end of life as they know it. The truth of the matter is that there are many different types of Cancer and that each one presents a unique set of circumstances with which to deal. This article will be laying out the different types of Cancer, the Best Cancer Treatment in India, and also explaining how they occur and how they’re treated.
Cancer can be broadly classified as basal cell carcinoma (BCC), head and neck cancer, lung cancer, or mesothelioma (a type of cancer that occurs in the lining of internal organs). While all cancers share certain similarities (such as a malignant tumor that continues to grow), it’s essential to know what type you have before receiving treatment.
India is a top destination for medical tourism due to its high-quality healthcare services, excellent hospitals, and pleasant living environment.
Different Types of Cancer
Cancer is a disease that affects various parts of the body. It can be internal or external, and it can either be localized or metastatic. Localized cancer is commonly found in the lungs, breast, brain, prostate, and kidney. Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread from another part of the body to distant sites in the body, including bones and lymph nodes. There are different types of cancers: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), skin cancers, adenocarcinomas, and many more.
Some common cancers that are found include:
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. According to the Breast cancer Foundation, one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. It is usually seen in older women and is extremely rare before menopause. Risk increases significantly after menopause and seems to be more prevalent among women who have a family history of breast cancer, have had early menstruation or late menopause, have been pregnant more than once, and have never given birth to a child.
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the most common cancer in women of childbearing age. It is unique in that early symptoms are not often noticeable and often only presented after contact with another cancer or disease. Colonoscopy is the most effective medical test to detect ovarian cancer, but it cannot be detected early.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among men, with around one out of every eight men expected to develop it during their lifetime. The risk of prostate cancer increases as men get older, especially if they have a family history of it and have ever been exposed to certain medications, including high doses of radiation therapy. Prostate cancer is also more prevalent among men who smoke, are over the age of sixty-five, drink alcohol, or have a history of diabetes.
Lymphoma
A lymphoma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. It is typically acquired and occurs most often in older adults and people whose immune system seems compromised (such as HIV-positive). The blood cells in the lymphatic system provide immunity to the body by fighting off infections and fungal infections. However, cancerous cells can develop and start to grow outside of the lymph nodes, and it then begins to spread throughout the body.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is the most common form of cancer in women over forty. The disease affects the thyroid gland and often occurs in women who have a history of radiation exposure, papillary carcinoma, or those who have been iodine deficient. There are three types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, and medullary. If a person has been diagnosed with one type, it does not necessarily mean they have acquired all types.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
BCC is the most common type and is the kind that I will be writing about in detail. This cancer develops in the skin, or “epidermis,” and can begin on any part of our body but typically appears on the face, neck, shoulders, and hands. BCC can spread to other areas at different stages of development. Because it appears to target the area in which it’s located (and because lumps may appear), it’s easy to mistake this cancer for something more severe than BCC. Depending on its location and stage of development, there are various treatment options available for BCC.
Bone cancer
Bone cancer is a collection of cancers that occur in the bone and the surrounding tissue. This type of cancer can happen to anyone (regardless of age or gender). Still, it is more common among men, men over 50 years old, people who have a family history of bone cancer, and people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation.
This type of cancer begins in the bone, and surgeons try to remove as much as possible so that “the remaining segment is well outside the area of influence for a tumor or for tumor cells that might be remaining in the adjacent soft tissue.” Once the area is cleansed, the cavity is filled with either cement or a substance that promotes healing. In some cases, prosthesis made from metal or plastic will be placed in the area where the bone was removed and will serve as a placeholder until new bone grows in.
Bowel cancer
This cancer can be either benign or malignant. There are four main types of bowel cancer; adenocarcinoma, carcinoid tumors, lymphomas, and sarcomas. The first three tend to develop in the large intestine (the colon), while sarcomas often occur in the small intestine.
The symptoms of bowel cancer vary, depending on the location of the tumor and its size, but they typically include pain in the abdomen or rectum, fatigue, and weight loss. Treatment options for bowel cancer include surgery to remove the tumor and radiation therapy to destroy any remaining cells.
Brain cancer
This is another form of cancer subdivided into many different types, but I’ll focus on Glioma (most often found in children) and GBM (most often found in adults). This can also be a severe type of cancer with varied symptoms, including headaches, hand tremors, blurred vision/dizziness, and seizures.
The treatment recommended for brain cancer is based on its type and location, but possibilities include surgery (to remove the tumor), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. Along with the treatment, there will be follow-up exams to determine if any cancer cells remain in the area.
Leukemia
This form of cancer occurs in the bone marrow and is characterized by an increased number of abnormal white blood cells in the bloodstream. The good news is that multiple types of leukemia have unique causes and varying symptoms. Still, they all have common threads such as feeling tired/exhausted, having swollen lymph nodes, bleeding easily, and experiencing a fever. As with most cancers (including brain cancer), patients will require a series of treatments after diagnosis before they can be given a clean bill of health.
Prostate cancer Treatments and its Options
Laser Prostatectomy
The laser prostatectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that removes the enlarged prostate by vaporizing it with laser energy. The laser offers an alternative to the traditional open surgical procedure. A surgeon makes an incision in the patient’s abdomen, removes part of the prostate, and then stitches up the incision. The laser can vaporize the tissue without incisions to reduce pain and bleeding, improve recovery time, and decrease post-surgery complications.
Radiation Therapy
Early diagnosis can prevent cancer cells from turning into metastatic tumors, which happens when cancer cells spread throughout the body. Radiation therapy is thought to be very effective at killing cancerous cells while limiting permanent side effects. It is often combined with surgery or other treatments such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a form of drug therapy that kills cancer cells and keeps the body from developing new ones by penetrating the cancerous cells and preventing them from reproducing and spreading throughout the body. There are many types of chemotherapy drugs, and they can be used in coordination with other forms of treatment, such as radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy is a type of drug used to treat hormone-dependent cancers. These cancers are caused by hormones from the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, testes, ovaries, or thyroid gland. Hormone therapy slows the growth and allows the affected tissues to normalize.
Surgery
Surgery is an option for patients with a less-favorable prognosis due to advanced disease, often referred to as stage IV or metastatic. It can be performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis, depending on the patient’s medical condition. Surgery may require blood transfusions and closely monitored anesthesia care; it carries a much higher risk of complications than other forms of treatment such as radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
Treatment is based on the type and stage of cancer and the location and extent. Other factors considered when determining treatment include the individual’s age, overall health status, quality of life, and family history.
Conservative Treatment
If conservative treatment is the first choice, then the patient will receive medical tests to determine if they have any medical conditions that prohibit or impede their treatment. If none are present, then surgery is performed. Conservative treatments can include radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and lifestyle modifications like diet, physical activity, and eating habits.
Does India Have Good cancer Hospitals?
Cancer is a severe disease, and the treatment can be highly challenging and complex for cancer Hospitals. Many different treatments are available to cancer patients, depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and the individual patient’s situation. Compared to the western countries, India has budget-friendly cancer hospitals of the same medical standards as the western world.
Recognizing that good health is essential for everyone – both patients and caregivers – hospitals have been offering cancer patients a wide variety of care options.
Landmarks in the History of cancer Care
As we’ve covered earlier, cancer is a disease that touches the lives of a significant number of people and their families. It’s not something that can be cured overnight, but it has never stopped the medical community from trying to find a way to manage it. There have been many landmarks throughout history where doctors and scientists have made important discoveries about cancer and its treatment.
Get to know who treats Oncologists
Oncologists are usually specialized physicians who also practice General Medicine and specialize in diseases of the hematopoietic organs. These physicians are trained to manage and treat all types of cancers, regardless of their stage or location, as well as an array of blood disorders and infections.
Factors that are taken into consideration while choosing a cancer specialist
The cost of treatment (you’ll want to compare the price of medical services with other medical services in your country before making this decision). The location of the clinic/hospital – will it be accessible by public transport or is it only reachable by private vehicle? Will you be able to arrange an appointment quickly? Can you afford travel expenses if you need the expertise and background information that the cancer specialist holds?
Why Choose Al Afiya Medi Tours?
Al Afiya Medi Tours has been making travel arrangements for people with cancer for over a decade and has helped thousands of patients travel to India for their cancer treatment. We are a medical tourism agency that prides itself on providing customized medical trips where you have your guide to take you from airport to clinic.
Our Global Coordinators will help you choose which cancer treatment hospital in India is best for your needs. You will get proper assistance with your appointments, transportation, housekeeping, and even entertainment in your leisure time. Your Coordinator will make sure that your every need is taken care of so that you can spend every day focusing on healing and recovering.
If you are traveling with a family, we will make sure all family members get the assistance they need during their stay. Our listed activities and excursions will engage your entire group, so your beloved ones can have a good time during your medical trip to India. You won’t have to worry about coordinating any of this when we are in charge because each medical travel agent will work directly with you in advance and during your trip. Moreover, we will let you know about the estimated cancer treatment cost in India. Plus, you will be introduced to the best possible treatment center near you on your medical trip to India.
Medical Tourism in India
You would be stunned to know that India receives a maximum of its medical tourists from the countries Kenya, Ethiopia, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, etc. This indicates India’s healthcare sector is one of the largest providers of medical treatments and procedures globally and has been steadily growing over the years. If you want to know more about medical tourism in India, check out this website. We are one of the best medical tourism companies in India that cater to the needs of medical tourists across the border.
In a nutshell, in 2005, for instance, approximately 3.5 million medical tourists visited India. This number has significantly grown since then to reach 12 million by 2012. According to an estimate from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), there will be 18 million international outbound medical tourists by 2020. There is a good chance that India will become one of the most prominent medical tourism destinations with its cost-effective treatments, top-notch hospitals, healthcare professionals, and quality living conditions.
