Interview with Dr. Sunil Kumar

He is a consultant surgical oncologist with an excellent academic record. He completed his M.B.B.S from Madras Medical College, Chennai, and his post-graduation in general surgery. 

What is cancer? 

Some abnormal cells start spreading in all the normal cells & make them abnormal is what generally turns out to be cancer. Not following a healthy diet & doing proper exercises can lead to cancer. 

What are some common cancers found in men & women these days? 

The main cancer is oral cancer & lung cancer in men because of tobacco & smoking. In females, the main is breast cancer which is due to bad lifestyle & reproductive issues. The second one is Cervical cancer. 

What are some early signs & symptoms? 

• Fatigue
• Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin
• Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain
• Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening, or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits
• Persistent cough or trouble breathing.

What are some common neurological cancers? 

• Blood cancer
• Kidney cancer 

What are some early signs & symptoms of neurological cancer? 

• Headaches, which may be severe and worsen with activity or in the early morning.
• Seizures. People may experience different types of seizures. Certain drugs can help to prevent or control them.
• Personality or memory changes.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Fatigue.
• Drowsiness.
• Sleep problems.
• Memory problems.

How safe are minimally invasive surgeries? 

There are two surgeries: laparoscopic & robotic surgery. It is very advantageous, safe, and helps in early recovery. And helps you get back to work as early as possible. It improves functional outcomes. 

What are some surgical options for a patient with breast cancer? 

Mastectomy is not the only option. There is breast conservation surgery where only the removal of cancerous tissue takes place instead of the whole breast. It depends on whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes under the arm or not. Restoring the breast’s shape after the cancer removal is breast reconstruction.

How long does the patient have to wait for the reconstruction?

There are two ways: immediate reconstruction & delayed reconstruction. In most cases, immediate reconstruction helps to stop the tumour from spreading. There are very rare cases where the delayed reconstruction generally takes 1-2 years. 

After the reconstruction, does the reconstructed part perform the same function? 

Patients will not be able to do the same function as speaking, chewing & swallowing. Doctors just try to make it look similar & make it function a bit like that. 

What are the risks of reconstruction? 

The main difficulty is inputting the blood vessels from one part to another part of the body. This is the main challenge but the chances of this happening are less than 5%. 

If the bladder has been removed, then what are the options patients have when it comes to passing urine? 

A urinary conduit- It is a surgically created pathway that allows urine to exit your body. After surgery, you need to wear a pouch to collect urine. 

What are the common screening tests available for prostate cancers? 

It doesn’t cause problems for many people. The most common test is the blood test. Next is the digital critical examination which is putting a finger & finding out if the prostate is enlarged or not. 

What are the treatments available for prostate cancer? 

If it is at an early age, the patient can undergo a radical process i.e., removal of the prostate. This is mainly through minimally invasive surgeries. If the size of the prostate is slightly bigger, the patient goes for radiotherapy along with hormonal therapy. If this has been detected in old age but at an early stage, the doctor puts the patient under surveillance.

For personalized guidance on cancer treatments and complementary therapies, consult our experts at ZenOnco.io or call +91 9930709000.