Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) will now offer laser surgery which has considerable benefits to patients suffering from head and neck cancer. Surgeons can remove the tumour with minimum bleeding thus allowing patients to get superior quality of voice.

According to Ashok M Shenoy, director, Kidwai Institute of Oncology with the laser surgery, its minimum incision, less bleeding and better voice quality over conventional surgery. This reduces the period of hospitalization because of resulting out of higher patient comfort.

It was only six weeks ago that the laser machine was installed with an investment of Rs 1 crore at the Institute. The treatment for the below the poverty line (BPL) card holders is being offered at Rs 3,000 and for the affordable is at Rs 10,000. But the cost of laser in head and neck cancer cases in the corporate hospitals is around Rs 1.5 lakh, he said.

In order to offer care to the growing number of cancer cases estimated at 35,000 annually in Karnataka, the 515-bed KIMO has also invested Rs 5.5 crore to open a new out- patient department (OPD) block with 100 bed facility to handle the chemotherapy cases.

The Institute is facing shortfall of funds of around Rs 50 crore for development works of which Rs 17 crore would be made available, stated Dr Shenoy.

Of the 19 Regional Cancer Centres in the county, Kidwai is one of the centres where considerable research, diagnostic assessment and clinical trials are carried out. The Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation dispenses anti-cancer drugs to the deserving poor cancer patients free of cost.

Globally it is estimated that there are 7.6 million new cancer cases, of which 52 per cent occur in developing countries. The magnitude of cancer in India is most alarming. The estimated new cases of cancer in India annually is nearly 6.5 lakh and is estimated to touch 8.06 lakh by 2010. The incidence of cancer in India is approximately 100 per 100,000 population. This is only a third or fourth of the incidence in the affluent countries of Europe and North America. The cancer in women in India constitutes more than 50 percent of the total cancer. The most common cancer observed by Indian registries are those related to tobacco usage in males while among females, the most common cancer are those of the Uterine Cervix, Breast and Oral cavity.

In Karnataka, it is estimated that annually there are about 35,000 incident cancers whereas, the prevalent cancer accounts to about 1,50,000. More than one third of these cancers are seen and attended to at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology. Most of these cancers, especially in women are easily accessible and have sensitive early detection tests and techniques. In addition, Cervix and oral cancers have well established phases of evolution from pre cancer to cancer. There are several Satellite Centres in Karnataka for patients from other districts to access treatment closer to their location.