Pediatric Cancer Can Be Cured If Diagnosed & Treated Early, Assures SUM Expert

Bhubaneswar: Most childhood cancers can be cured if diagnosed early and treated appropriately, Prof. (Dr) Saroj Panda, in-charge of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology unit at Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, said on Wednesday.

“Children respond well to chemotherapy and show minimal side-effects compared to similar treatment in adults,” remarked Prof. (Dr) Panda while speaking at the International Childhood Cancer Day programme organised at the hospital.

The most common form of cancer among children is leukemia or blood cancer, which is highly curable with proper treatment, Dr Panda assured.

The Pediatric Oncology department of IMS and SUM Hospital had diagnosed over 1,100 cases of pediatric cancer during the last 5 years.

“Till now, treatment in respect of 450 cases have been completed successfully while 210 children are presently under treatment,” Dr Panda informed.

“The cancer in all these 450 cases is in remission and we expect these children to live normal lives,” Dr Panda said, adding pediatric cancer accounted for about 5% of all carcinoma cases.

The other forms of cancer which generally afflict children include lymphoma, brain tumour, bone tumour, kidney and liver tumour and retinoblastoma (eye tumour).

The mode of treatment comprises chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, he said.

“It generally takes six months to two years for completion of treatment and the approximate expenditure varies between Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh depending upon the disease,” Dr Panda said.

Of the 25 trained pediatric oncologists in India, 4 are located in Odisha. Two of these pediatric oncologists are serving in IMS and SUM Hospital, which has all facilities for pediatric cancer treatment under a single roof, Dr Panda informed.

Around 100 children, either cured from the disease or undergoing treatment, and their parents attended the programme. Famous comedian Tattwa Prakash Satpathy, better known as Papu Pampam, put up a show, as did magician Jiban Mishra and dancers to entertain the children and guests.

IMS and SUM Hospital Dean Prof. (Dr) Sanghamitra Mishra, Medical Superintendent Prof. (Dr) Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Head of Pediatrics Department Prof. (Dr) Mamata Devi Mohanty and Founder of E3 Charitable Trust Ritu Modi addressed the audience.

The programme, organised by the hospital in association with E3 Charitable Trust, was conducted by Pediatric Oncologist Dr Nirmalya Deo Pradhan.