Oncology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It includes Medical oncology (the use of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and other drugs to treat cancer), Radiation oncology (the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer), and Surgical oncology (the use of surgery and other procedures to treat cancer). Cancer incidence is increasing day by day because of many factors that may include Smoking, Alcohol addiction, environmental pollution, modern life style and food habits etc. Most commonly seen in old age but younger population are also vulnerable for developing cancer.
The common cancers include: Breast cancer and Cervix cancer are common in females. Head and Neck cancers and Lung cancer are common in males. Others types are gastro intestinal cancer, Ovarian cancer , prostate cancer, Liver and pancreatic cancers, Bone cancers, soft tissue cancer and bloos cancers.
Apart from direct walk in to Oncology OPD, Cancer patients are also referred from different departments after diagnosis. Then they will be thoroughly worked up and further management will be decided after discussion in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.
Dr Kiran P K (Assistant Professor) is running the department OPD and Inpatient services. Medical oncology Department have been catering to nearly 500 outpatients per month. Approximately 200 chemotherapy treatments are on-going per month. Most of the patients are taking chemotherapy under AB-ARK scheme and ESI schemes. Others like ECHS, CGHS, and Private insurance patients are also availing treatment.
Medical oncology department works in co-ordination with surgical oncology and radiation oncology as a primary care team. Further, department also co-ordinates with Radiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pain and palliative departments for diagnosis and management. Referral departments include surgical oncology, Surgical gastro enterology, Medical gastroenterology, Nephrology, Urology, Geriatrics, Medicine, surgery and other ancillary deaprtments.
Chemotherapy, Hormonal therapy, Targeted therapy, Immunotherapy treatments are done in the department of Medical Oncology.
Research activities in association with Clinical Pharmacy and Thesis guidance to medicine postgraduates along with interdepartmental case discussions are being actively carried out.
The department aims to expand in terms of patient care, clinical research and academic activities. Also plan to make oncology department as a comprehensive cancer care in assistance with surgical oncology and radiation oncology departments and treat cancer patients with utmost care.
