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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the owner of the tumor tissue, paraffin blocks and the glass slides ( the biopsy material
)?
Irrespective of the type of establishment either government or private, the
patient is the sole owner of the tissues, either in part or whole subjected to compensation for due expenditure towards processing, storing or transferring. No patient can be denied access to these vital articles of
evidence. It is a common practice to seek the previous slide for reference whenever the person changes the place of treatment.
Can one treat cancer without a biopsy ?
Your physician gathers information essential for your treatment from the biopsy. It would be unethical to
treat any cancer without a valid biopsy, when it is obtainable, as treatment varies depending on the type and nature of the cancer pathology. However, there are times when obtaining a biopsy is not possible as the tumor
may be in an area that cannot be reached without substantial harm to the patient ( i.e. some areas of the brain ). In these cases the oncologist have to rely on radiological evidence as well as the patients symptoms and
blood tests to determine the necessity of treatment. Only an experienced oncologist should make this type of decision and it is not uncommon to seek a second opinion in these types of cases.
Is a biopsy report universal truth ?
By and large diagnosis of cancer is made after a great
deal of deliberation. However, rarely individual pathologist may differ in their interpretation of the type of cancer. In these cases one should call for clinical correlation from the treating physician or review from
senior pathologist. Commonly, irrespective of the class, profession and educational status most of the patient refuse to believe the diagnosis of cancer at first visit. This is natural and the patient may wish to see
the seek a second opinion. However, it is essential that it be done quickly and prudently with a qualifies surgeon or oncologist as vital time can be lost in seeking the appropriate treatment, Though almost 99% of the
cancers can be diagnosed in the ordinary laboratories, some need specialized techniques for precise diagnosis. This is mainly done to ascertain the specific type of cell origin so that an appropriate treatment can be
selected.
Can sophisticated techniques point out the tumor without sufficient clinical data ?
Identifying tumor without clinical evidence is like searching a needle in a haystack.. At times the diagnosis in question can only be made after a very major surgery.
Are sophisticated techniques alone capable of diagnosing cancer ?
Certainly not, as cancer can only be confirmed after a biopsy. However, these sophisticated techniques can help to locate even the deeply seated tumors and provide valuable guidance to perform the biopsy. These
techniques may be used to help perform the biopsy such as ultrasound, CT, or NMR guided needle biopsies.
Does conventional treatment work ?
About half of all people with cancer will be cured, and the majority of those will be achieved by surgery. The
other cures will be achieved by radiotherapy and chemotherapy (either before, after or instead of surgery). Some cancers may require a combination of two or more treatments to ensure the highest possibility of a cure.
Conventional treatment can produce remission in many cases when cure is not possible.
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Info Courtesy: CPAA Bangalore |
