Early diagnosis and right kind of treatment played a huge role in successfully treating cases of paediatric cancer, said T. Kasi Viswanathan, Head of Hematology, Haemato-Oncology and Haematolopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation wing of Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre. Speaking at a meet organized at the hospital for children who are paediatric cancer survivors and their parents on Sunday, he said that doctors had a crucial role in diagnosing paediatric cancer without creating panic for parents. He stressed the importance, of having separate infrastructure and trained personnel in hospitals dedicated to treat paediatric cancer. “It has been observed that the treatment outcomes are far better when children are treated in a dedicated paediatric oncology facility instead of treating them at medical oncology wards along with adults,” he said. Pointing out that the hospital had a Paediatric Cancer Centre since 2010, he said more than 800 children had been successfully treated for cancer so far. A major portion of the treatment cost was supported through Camila Children Cancer Fund created by the hospital. More than 200 survivors and their parents took part in the event and shared their experiences. Children, who performed well in academics, were felicitated. S. Jayabose, Director, Pediatrics & Pediatric Hematology – Oncology, said that such events helped in instilling motivation for survivors to excel in whatever they chose to do in life.
Source: The Hindu
Date: 03.09.18
