(From left) Dr Santosh Sahu, Janardhan Umale and Dr Gaurav Jaswal (Not to be used)
Pune: Advanced precision oncology at a private cancer centre in the city has helped a 74-year-old man from Pimpri Chinchwad overcome stage IVA throat cancer and regain his voice. “A PET-CT [on Oct 7, 2024] revealed a cancerous lesion in the right pyriform sinus extending to the vocal cords with nearby lymph node involvement, but no deeper spread.
Dr Gaurav Jaswal, director of radiation oncology at TGH Onco Life Cancer Centre, Talegaon Dabhade, said the patient also experienced a mild difficulty in swallowing. “Our goals were larynx preservation, loco-regional disease control, and functional voice recovery,” Dr Jaswal said, adding that by the 16-week mark, the patient’s voice improved beyond pre-cancer quality, and the lymph nodes had completely regressed. “On follow-up, the patient is doing well and able to speak properly,” he added. Dr Jaswal said any delay in treatment could have led to permanent voice loss, exacerbated the difficulty in swallowing, and breathing problems. “Post-treatment precautions include soft, moist foods, swallowing exercises, gentle oral care, avoiding spicy or rough foods, jaw and neck exercises, no smoking or alcohol, weight maintenance, hydration, physical activity, and regular follow-ups,” he said. Centre head Dr Santosh Sahu said, “Advanced cancers no longer always mean loss of vital functions.
The treatment also preserved his larynx, allowing him to return to a normal life. Radical chemo-radiation was advised after the case was evaluated by a multidisciplinary tumour board. Subsequently, the patient underwent advanced helical tomotherapy with concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy. With precision oncology and the right technology, we can now target tumours accurately while protecting healthy tissues. Our aim is not just survival, but helping patients return to their normal lives with dignity and confidence. This case reflects how timely intervention and expert planning can truly change outcomes. ”