How are patients advised on the stage of their cancer and treatment?
Medical oncology is continuously evolving with the rapid research and development of new anti-cancer drugs. Once the cancer is diagnosed pathologically, staging investigations are generally done with the help of surgical oncologist or interventional radiologist and pathologist. Based on the diagnosis and patient’s clinical profile, the medical oncologist decides the chemotherapy agent, the dose and course regimen. Patients in advanced stages may need aggressive therapy in coordination with other disciplines whereas cases detected early may be treated conservatively.
Once the course of treatment is decided, the patient and family are counselled regarding the therapy, side effects, complications and outcomes. The patient makes an informed decision and participates in his/ her care process.
What happens during chemotherapy?
Administering chemotherapy is a standard procedure which follows strict protocols. Patients are reviewed by medical personnel and pre-chemotherapy lab reports are verified following which drug infusions are started under strict monitoring. At Kamineni, chemotherapy is administered in a dedicated facility by specialized teams with provisions for close monitoring and emergency readiness.
Once the procedure is complete, the patient is counselled in detail regarding diet, dos and don’ts, possible side effects, detecting emergencies and follow up schedule.
