Dr Vineeta Goel

26/10/2020

Cancer patients support groups are very important. After joining support group people feel empowered to face their diagnosis as well as treatment. There is reduction in anxiety and depression as well as it provides emotional support.

Prostate cancer patients have their own challenges related to both their diagnosis and treatment.

To talk freely about these challenges we have organised a support group exclusively for prostate cancer patients. It’s going to be an online meeting and the link is attached.

Please feel free to share it with anyone who might benefit from joining it

Managing Health After Prostate Cancer Treatment!

Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh invites you to attend the webinar led by super specialists:
Dr. Vineeta Goel, Dr. Waseem Abbas, Dr. Geeta Buryok, Dr. Harsh*ta Sharma

Topic:
Introduction - Health issues after prostate cancer treatment?
Q & A with the Expert.
Dietary tips to improve health after prostate cancer treatment.
Physical Therapy to improve weak bones and urinary incontinence.

Date: Saturday, 31st October, 2020
Time: 2PM to 4PM
Join webinar on ZOOM
Meeting ID: 975 5682 3274

26/10/2020

Managing Health After Prostate Cancer Treatment!

Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh invites you to attend the webinar led by super specialists:
Dr. Vineeta Goel, Dr. Waseem Abbas, Dr. Geeta Buryok, Dr. Harsh*ta Sharma

Topic:
Introduction - Health issues after prostate cancer treatment?
Q & A with the Expert.
Dietary tips to improve health after prostate cancer treatment.
Physical Therapy to improve weak bones and urinary incontinence.

Date: Saturday, 31st October, 2020
Time: 2PM to 4PM
Join webinar on ZOOM
Meeting ID: 975 5682 3274

25/10/2020

This Dussehra, Defeat
Brain tumour, Breast cancer, Lung cancer, Uterine cancer, Cancer in kids!

Happy Dussehra!

19/10/2020

BREAST CANCER RADIATION THERAPY MAX HOSPITAL SHALIMAR BAGH!

Radiation Therapy (RT) for breast cancer has seen a long journey precision and focused therapy. RT is an important part of breast cancer management which improve both local control of cancer as well as patients survival.

Visit https://drvineetagoel.com/breast-cancer-radiation-therapy-max-hospital-shalimar-bagh/

October 13, 2020 Dr Vineeta Goel Comment: 0 Radiation Therapy (RT) for breast cancer has seen a long journey precision and focused therapy. RT is an important part of breast cancer management which improve both local control of cancer as well as patients survival. In earlier times it was a treatment...

19/10/2020

STEREOTACTIC RADIOTHERAPY – MAX HOSPITAL SHALIMAR BAGH!

Conventional radiation therapy for cancers often results in some collateral damage to nearby healthy tissues. Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) is defined as a method of external beam radiotherapy that use principles of stereotaxy to accurately deliver high radiation dose to a tumour/ target in one or few treatment fractions (1 to 5) without much radiation dose and side effects to the surrounding healthy tissues. Read more...

Visit https://drvineetagoel.com/stereotactic-radiotherapy-max-hospital-shalimar-bagh/

October 12, 2020 Dr Vineeta Goel Comment: 0 Conventional radiation therapy for cancers often results in some collateral damage to nearby healthy tissues. Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) is defined as a method of external beam radiotherapy that use principles of stereotaxy to accurately deliver high....

17/10/2020

May the nine days and nine nights of Navratri bring your good health and fortune.

Happy Navratri!

01/04/2020

Corona pandemic and perspectives for cancer patients

As I became an oncologist/cancer specialist and started seeing both life and death more closely, my perspectives on life have changed and evolved.

I have learned over years that life is fragile. Life is unpredictable. Yet life is beautiful. Life is to be lived and cherished.

I realized fragility of human body when I first saw a patient in terrible pain caused by a 5 millimeter kidney stone (it was too tiny to cause that enormous pain). I realized fragility of life when I saw a patient having brain hemorrhage and paralysis after a trivial fall at home. Human body and life is really fragile as aptly said by Sant Kabir that human life is like water bubble.

Growing up as doctor, I also learned that diseases and ailments are part of life. What scares me as a health care professional are diseases for which definitive treatment is still not discovered. I am not so much scared of diseases for which treatments are available.

And all my above mentioned believes on life have been re - affirmed by the present corona virus pandemic.

This pandemic almost came like an avalanche for which nobody in the entire world was geared up or prepared. Practically there is no treatment for this infection and all we can do is - prevent it from spreading. If the infection still sets in, we can only give supportive care like oxygen, fluids, ventilation and hope for the best.

When I see cancer patients and I see a tag on them of being “cancer survivor” – I am pained. This tag almost means that these men and women with cancer were not expected to survive this disease and have been fortunate to have somehow survived.

I am sorry, but as an oncologist, I refuse to accept such pessimism towards cancer. And I urge everyone – no cancer, ex cancer, present cancer communities-- to reject this pessimism and tag of cancer survivor especially now when all of us are facing fragility of life in the present circumstances of Covid -19 pandemic.

Fortunately for majority of cancers, treatment and hope is there while for viral infections like Corona, treatment is not available.

Adding on, I recently met a young lady who was almost completing her treatment for breast cancer. She shared with me that in the present times of lockdown, her father called her up enquiring how she was coping up with the diagnosis and treatment. She in turn assured her father that she is young and her body is fit to withstand this tough treatment and he need not worry. She even added that thankfully she has got a disease for which treatment and cure is possible. Now that’s what I call as winning and positive attitude.

So, my dear friends let’s live and cherish our fragile lives with gratitude towards one and all and live life without any tags.

MY PERSONAL VIEWS

DR VINEETA GOEL

Associate Director Radiation Oncology Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi

# Cherish Life # Cancer survivors # No Tags attached # Corona Virus # Fragility of life
For more info visit us at http://www.drvineetagoel.in/latest-update/corona-pandemic-and-/33?utm_source=facebookpage

31/03/2020

Cancer Treatment in Corona Virus Pandemic – Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh

These are certainly difficult times – we have Corona Virus infection on one side and cancer treatment on the other.

I am speaking this out as a radiation oncologist to correct some wrong notions

There are two categories of cancer patients:-

1. Ex Patients- Patients who completed cancer treatment >6 months back- they are almost like a normal person. Their risk of acquiring Corona Virus infection or getting into some complications if they get Corona Virus infection is only a shade higher than an otherwise normal person who never had cancer.

Example Lady A is 70 years old with diabetes and heart ds; no history of cancer- say her risk of acquiring corona Virus infection or getting some complication is appox 5%

Lady B is 70 years old with diabetes and heart ds; with breast cancer treated 1 year back- say her risk of acquiring corona Virus infection or getting some complication is appox7-10%

Lady C is 70 years old with no health problems with breast cancer treated 1 year back- say her risk of acquiring corona Virus infection or getting some complication is appox5%

So, don’t have unnecessary fears in your mind.

Take universal precautions of hand hygiene, social distancing.

Please do not visit hospital for minor problems, routine tests or follow ups.

If needed do telephonic consultation with your doctors via phone. You may take appointment through max website.

2. Current Patients - Patients who are on active cancer treatment with either surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy anytime since last 3-4 months or who are currently on treatment. This group of patients have their immunity little or sometimes very low as compared to a non- cancer age and health profile matched individual. These cancer patients are more susceptible to acquire Corona Virus or any other infection. So, follow all universal hygiene precautions like hand washing, face mask, social distancing etc. even more thoroughly.

Please discuss with your oncologist regarding urgency of following cancer treatment protocol.

Remember for a patient cancer is just one type, for us oncologists, cancer has multiple types and moreover every patient and his/her health profile is different.

For us as oncologist two women with similar breast cancer are still different, they are not same. When we look at breast cancer we think of multiple factors like stage, lymph nodal involvement, ER/PR/Her2 N status, age, other health issues and so many other things.

We go through all this before coming out with treatment recommendations based on all these multiple factors.

Based on your age, general health and overall cancer disease profile, your oncologist will guide you for cancer treatment in this time of Corona Virus Pandemic.

To give you an example – Glioma is a type of brain tumour and is commonly treated by surgery and post - operative radiation therapy. But Gliomas have several types. For a certain type of gliomas your oncologist might tell you that despite of Corona epidemic, we must immediately start radiation and chemotherapy. While the same oncologist might suggest that for another glioma patient its ok to start treatment anytime between 1-3 months from surgery. So do not panic and don’t overthink/overjudge. If you are seeking these answers on Dr Google, be careful least you fail to correctly comprehend it.

Another common case scenario that I come across is that majority women with breast cancer need radiation therapy after surgery or chemotherapy. Generally, we prefer to start Radiation therapy after minimum 3 weeks gap from surgery or chemotherapy. But the range of safe time frame to start radiation therapy anytime between 3-6 weeks from last chemotherapy or surgery. Again, these are standard guidelines, its best to discuss with your oncologist with regards to specifically your case.

Similarly as a radiation oncologist, I see some patients with cancers of head and neck regions who come to me for radiation therapy. Please discuss your specific case with us to help you take correct decision regarding optimum timing of starting radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy by itself does not cause much suppression of body immunity or lowering of blood counts. Cancer itself causes a state of low immunity and increases chances of acquiring viral infections. Additionally, patients are generally required to come to hospital for several days to weeks for radiation therapy. Travelling to and back from hospital by itself increase chances of catching Corona virus infection.

No two-cancer patients or their risk of catching corona virus infection is similar, hence speak to your cancer specialist for best professional advice.

Have trust in your doctor’s recommendations. We are available to you for tele and video consultations, you may book appointment via Max Health care website.

In these tough times use everything judiciously including your phone consultation timings. We also recommend that please keep your relevant reports ready before starting tele consultation (similar to the way you carry all your reports with you when going to hospital).

Dr Vineeta Goel
Associate Director Radiation Oncology
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi
For more info visit us at http://www.drvineetagoel.in/latest-update/cancer-treatment-in-/32?utm_source=facebookpage

31/03/2020

Cancer Treatment in Corona Virus Pandemic – Max Hospital Shalimar Bagh

These are certainly difficult times – we have Corona Virus infection on one side and cancer treatment on the other.

I am speaking this out as a radiation oncologist to correct some wrong notions

There are two categories of cancer patients:-

1. Ex Patients- Patients who completed cancer treatment >6 months back- they are almost like a normal person. Their risk of acquiring Corona Virus infection or getting into some complications if they get Corona Virus infection is only a shade higher than an otherwise normal person who never had cancer.

Example Lady A is 70 years old with diabetes and heart ds; no history of cancer- say her risk of acquiring corona Virus infection or getting some complication is appox 5%

Lady B is 70 years old with diabetes and heart ds; with breast cancer treated 1 year back- say her risk of acquiring corona Virus infection or getting some complication is appox7-10%

Lady C is 70 years old with no health problems with breast cancer treated 1 year back- say her risk of acquiring corona Virus infection or getting some complication is appox5%

So, don’t have unnecessary fears in your mind.

Take universal precautions of hand hygiene, social distancing.

Please do not visit hospital for minor problems, routine tests or follow ups.

If needed do telephonic consultation with your doctors via phone. You may take appointment through max website.

2. Current Patients - Patients who are on active cancer treatment with either surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation therapy anytime since last 3-4 months or who are currently on treatment. This group of patients have their immunity little or sometimes very low as compared to a non- cancer age and health profile matched individual. These cancer patients are more susceptible to acquire Corona Virus or any other infection. So, follow all universal hygiene precautions like hand washing, face mask, social distancing etc. even more thoroughly.

Please discuss with your oncologist regarding urgency of following cancer treatment protocol.

Remember for a patient cancer is just one type, for us oncologists, cancer has multiple types and moreover every patient and his/her health profile is different.

For us as oncologist two women with similar breast cancer are still different, they are not same. When we look at breast cancer we think of multiple factors like stage, lymph nodal involvement, ER/PR/Her2 N status, age, other health issues and so many other things.

We go through all this before coming out with treatment recommendations based on all these multiple factors.

Based on your age, general health and overall cancer disease profile, your oncologist will guide you for cancer treatment in this time of Corona Virus Pandemic.

To give you an example – Glioma is a type of brain tumour and is commonly treated by surgery and post - operative radiation therapy. But Gliomas have several types. For a certain type of gliomas your oncologist might tell you that despite of Corona epidemic, we must immediately start radiation and chemotherapy. While the same oncologist might suggest that for another glioma patient its ok to start treatment anytime between 1-3 months from surgery. So do not panic and don’t overthink/overjudge. If you are seeking these answers on Dr Google, be careful least you fail to correctly comprehend it.

Another common case scenario that I come across is that majority women with breast cancer need radiation therapy after surgery or chemotherapy. Generally, we prefer to start Radiation therapy after minimum 3 weeks gap from surgery or chemotherapy. But the range of safe time frame to start radiation therapy anytime between 3-6 weeks from last chemotherapy or surgery. Again, these are standard guidelines, its best to discuss with your oncologist with regards to specifically your case.

Similarly as a radiation oncologist, I see some patients with cancers of head and neck regions who come to me for radiation therapy. Please discuss your specific case with us to help you take correct decision regarding optimum timing of starting radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy by itself does not cause much suppression of body immunity or lowering of blood counts. Cancer itself causes a state of low immunity and increases chances of acquiring viral infections. Additionally, patients are generally required to come to hospital for several days to weeks for radiation therapy. Travelling to and back from hospital by itself increase chances of catching Corona virus infection.

No two-cancer patients or their risk of catching corona virus infection is similar, hence speak to your cancer specialist for best professional advice.

Have trust in your doctor’s recommendations. We are available to you for tele and video consultations, you may book appointment via Max Health care website.

In these tough times use everything judiciously including your phone consultation timings. We also recommend that please keep your relevant reports ready before starting tele consultation (similar to the way you carry all your reports with you when going to hospital).

Dr Vineeta Goel
Associate Director Radiation Oncology
Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi

Cancer Treatment in Corona Virus Pandemic – M

06/03/2020

Stage IV Breast Cancer with paralysis of lower limbs

A 48 years old woman presented to us with paralysis of 4 days duration. She also gave a history of upper backache since past 5 months. She had a past history of being treated for right breast cancer with surgery, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy 7 years back. Clinically both her breasts and lymph node regions were normal. Neurologically her power in both lower limbs was reduced to 1/5 and rest everything was normal. We did a MRI spine for her which showed D4 Vertebral metastases with collapse and cord compression. She also underwent whole body PET CT scan which showed that she had multiple bone metastases and her rest body organs were free of cancer.

Patient was jointly evaluated by team of neurosurgeons, radiation and medical oncologists. She was taken up for neurosurgical tumour decompression and spine stabilization in view of recent onset paralysis and metastases being confined only to bones (which carries better prognosis as compared to patient having metastases in lungs or liver). After surgical decompression, her power in lower limbs improved to 2/5.

Surgery also yielded histopathology and biopsy which confirmed it to be metastases from breast cancer with strong hormonal positivity for Estrogen and Progesterone receptors.

Post- surgery she was started on hormonal tablets for breast cancer. Since her breast cancer was confined only to bones and it had strong positivity for hormonal receptors, she did not require any chemotherapy. She was planned for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) to affected D4 vertebrae. Her Radiation Therapy was planned using combined information from CT Myelogram and MRI Spine to spare spinal cord and focus high radiation doses only on cancer affected region. This radiation therapy was given over 5 days. She also underwent regular physiotherapy. As a result of this well planned intensive treatment and rehabilitation, she was up on her feet again.

This case exemplifies importance of multi disciplinary treatment, tumour board, newer radiation techniques like SBRT and quality of life of patients.

For more info visit us at http://www.drvineetagoel.in/latest-update/stage-iv-breast-canc/30?utm_source=facebookpage