Cancer Care with Precision

18/10/2025

May the glow of diyas and the echo of chants bring you happiness and good fortune...



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13/10/2025

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Metastatic breast cancer: Is it the end?

What is metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer is a stage of cancer when cancer cells have spread from the breast to other parts of the body. It is also called advanced breast cancer or stage IV breast cancer.

What investigations are done before starting treatment in such patients?

• History taking including family history of any cancer
• Clinical examination
• Baseline blood tests
• Biopsy
• Estrogen receptor, Progesterone receptor, HER2Neu receptor and Ki-67% on biopsy sample
• PDL1 status on biopsy sample
• Some times we check for mutations like PIK3CA, BRCA 1& BRCA 2.
• CT scan of chest, abdomen, Pelvis
• Whole Body PET-CT scan
• MRI brain when suspecting cancer spread to brain
• 2D-Echocardiography before using particular targeted therapy

What is the prognosis of metastatic breast cancer?

Metastatic breast cancer is usually incurable. The aim of treatment at this stage is to try to control the cancer, try to control the symptoms from cancer, and try to improve the quality and quantity of life. A limited subgroup of patient called Oligo metastatic disease (Small or limited spread to other organ) can be treated with curative intent.



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08/10/2025

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.

What is Early stage breast cancer?

When breast cancer is limited to breast tissue and/ or limited spread to axillary lymph nodes of the same side it is called Early stage breast cancer.

What is the global burden of Breast cancer?

According to GLOBOCON 2020 data, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women which comprises 24.5% of all cancer affecting women worldwide. It is the most common cause of cancer death in women which comprises 15.5% of all cancer death in women. In 2020, there was 178361 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in India with 90408 death from breast cancer.

What are the risk factors for developing Breast cancer?
1. Reproductive factors:
• Early menarche(40 years)
• Nulliparity

2. Benign breast diseases: Women who had a history of cysts, fibroadenomas or benign proliferative hyperplasia have an increased risk of breast cancer

3. Exposure to radiation: It has been shown that women received radiation to the chest for lymphoma at early age; are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

4. Exogenous hormones: Longterm use of hormone replacement therapy

5. Dietary factor: Obesity increases breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women by around 50%.

6. Genetic factor:
• Breast cancer risk is doubled in women with a first degree relative with breast cancer, with a higher risk if more than one- first degree relative is affected or has breast cancer at a younger age.
• Breast cancer may result from mutation in one or more critical genes including BRCA, BRACA2 and TP53.
•
What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
• Swelling or lump in breast
• Skin changes of breast- Thickening, redness, dimpling, ulceration
• Ni**le changes- Thickening, retraction, ulceration
• Swelling in axilla
• Swelling of arm



For appointment contact: +918777427312
www.dranimeshsaha.com

04/10/2025

According to GLOBOCON 2020 data, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women which comprises 24.5% of all cancer affecting women worldwide. It is the most common cause of cancer death in women which comprises 15.5% of all cancer death in women. In 2020, there was 178361 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in India with 90408 death from breast cancer.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?
• Swelling or lump in breast
• Skin changes of breast- Thickening, redness, dimpling, ulceration
• Ni**le changes- Thickening, retraction, ulceration
• Swelling in axilla
• Swelling of arm

What is breast cancer screening?
Screening literally means checking for cancer (or for abnormal cells that may become cancer) in people who have no symptoms. Breast cancers found by screening are generally at an early stage. Very early breast cancers are usually easier to treat, may need less treatment, and are more likely to be cured. Screening programme varies in different countries. In United Kingdom, women 50 years and above have Mammogram every three yearly. Women with a moderate or high risk of breast cancer because of their family history should start having screening mammograms every year in their forties. In women younger than 40 and have an increased risk of breast cancer yearly MRI scans should be done from the age of 30 or 40. If a women have gene mutation, UK guidelines recommend yearly MRI scans from:
• age 20 for women with a TP53 mutation
• age 30 for women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation



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Dr Animesh Saha is the Best Oncologist in Kolkata from last 10 years. He has good expertise in oncologist, medical oncologist near me

03/10/2025

"May the victory of good over evil inspire you to triumph over your challenges"- Subha Bijoya



For appointment contact : +918777427312
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27/09/2025

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

• In early stage following symptoms might be present e.g, Increase frequency of micturition, Urinary urgency, Urinary hesitancy, Nocturia.
• In locally advanced stage following symptoms may be present
Haematuria, haematospermia, erectile dysfunction, rarely perineal pain.
• In advanced stage patient may present with bone pain, leg weakness, lower leg swelling.

What is the global burden of Prostate cancer?

It is the 4th most common cancer worldwide accounting for 7.3% of all cancer. According to Globocon 2020 data, 1.4 million people was diagnosed with prostate cancer worldwide in 2020. In India 25,700 patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 with 17200 death.



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27/09/2025

Wish you all a very happy Durga Puja. May Maa Durga bless you and your family with happiness, prosperity, and endless success this festive season.

NB: Dr. Animesh Saha will be on leave between 28.09.2025 to 02.10.2025. He will be back to your service from 03.10.2025.



Ph: +918777427312
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19/09/2025

What is Cancer markers?

A tumor marker or Cancer marker is any substance in your body that provides information about a cancer. Traditionally, tumor markers refer to proteins that cancer cells make. Other names for tumor markers include cancer markers and biomarkers.

What do tumor markers tell you?
Tumor markers — in combination with other tests — help healthcare providers diagnose and treat certain types of cancer. Tumor markers can:
• Indicate the presence of certain types of cancer.
• Help your provider plan treatment.
• Check whether current cancer treatment is working.
• Predict your chance of recovery.
• Monitor for recurrence (return) of certain cancers.

Some tumor markers only give information about one specific type of cancer. Other tumor markers give information about more than one type of cancer.

Where are tumor markers typically found?

There are two main types of tumor markers:
• Circulating tumor markers.
• Tumor tissue markers.

Circulating tumor markers are in:
• Blood.
• Urine (p*e).
• Stool (p**p).
• Bone marrow.
• Saliva (spit).

Tumor tissue markers are in:
• Tumors (in your body tissues).
A healthcare provider will take a biopsy (small sample) of the affected tissue and send it to a pathology lab for analysis.

There are many different tumor markers that test for many different types of cancer. Here are some of the most common:
1. Alpha foeto protein- Used for diagnosing Hepatocellular cancer, Germ cell tumour
2. CA 19.9- Used for diagnosing Pancreatic cancer, Gall bladder cancer, Bile duct cancer.
3. CEA- Used for diagnosing bowel cancer
4. CA15.3- Used in breast cancer
5. PSA- Used in prostate cancer



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03/09/2025

Is biopsy mandatory in suspected cancer patients?

What is biopsy?

Biopsy is a diagnostic test where doctor takes a small amount of tissue from the area of the body where cancer may be present. The tissue is sent to a laboratory and examined under a microscope for cancer cells by a specialist called a pathologist.

Why biopsy is done?

1. Biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis of cancer in a suspected cancer patient.
2. Biopsy also help doctor to understand what type of cancer it is.
3. Biopsy sample is often used for molecular or genetic testing to decide upon cancer treatment that might benefit the patient.

What are the different type of biopsy?
The type of biopsy you have depends on where the possible cancer is located.
1. Needle biopsies.
2. Image-guided biopsy.
3. Surgical (excisional) biopsy.
4. Shave biopsy/punch biopsy.
5. Endoscopic biopsy.
6. Laparoscopic biopsy.
7. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.
8. Liquid biopsy.



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29/08/2025

Nutrition in head & neck cancer patients undergoing chemo-radiotherapy

Why nutrition in head & neck cancer patients undergoing chemo-radiotherapy is of utmost importance?

• Radiotherapy(RT) or chemo-radiotherapy(CRT) can lead to dryness of mouth, sore mouth, difficulty or pain while swallowing food, altered taste, Lack of appetite, Naesea, vomiting etc.
• This results in significant nutritional compromise to the patient.
• Greater than 10% weight loss occurring in 30-50% of patients undergoing CRT and in 10% of those treated with radiotherapy alone.
• Weight loss has been associated with infections, dehydration, increased hospitalisation, delayed recovery, treatment interruptions, and worse oncological outcomes

What is the nutritional requirements of head & neck cancer patients?

A trained dietician along with a doctor should do nutritional assessment
Daily calorie requirement will be 25-30Kcal/kg body weight /day but may vary depending on the physical structure and physical activity of the patient.
Protein requirement will be 1.2-1.5gm/ kg body weight/ day
That means for a 60kg patient calorie requirement will be minimum 1500Kcal-1800Kcal per day and protein requirement will be
The diet should also contain balanced carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, Immunonutrition, omega 3 fatty acid, glutamine, arginine etc and last but not the least is water. They need to have adequate fluid to avoid dehydration.



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23/08/2025

Beating cancer with nutrition

When you have cancer, it can be a challenge to eat well and get the nutrition that you need. It is important to find ways to maintain a healthy weight and eat nutritious foods. You also should drink plenty of water.

Sometimes, the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment can cause changes to your appetite and weight. Some treatments can make you want to eat less, causing weight loss. Other cancer treatments can cause weight gain. Small changes in your weight are not a problem. But losing or gaining too much weight can affect your health during cancer and treatment. Good nutrition can help you stay as healthy as possible.



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17/08/2025

What are the treatment options for small cell lung cancer?

Treatment of small cell lung cancer depends on stage of cancer, patient’s age, fitness for treatment and other associated medical problem.

The role of surgery in small cell lung cancer is limited.

Limited stage small cell lung cancer can be cured with treatment, which usually involves combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Patients usually need 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy every 3 weeks interval. Radiotherapy can be given in carious schedules and forms. Once a day schedule for 3 weeks, once a day schedule for 6 weeks, twice daily schedule for 3 weeks treatment are most often used radiotherapy schedule. Recent advance in radiotherapy allows us to use Intensity modulated radiotherapy, which helps to precisely target the tumour while sparing surrounding normal tissue. 4D-CT scan is another advancement in lung cancer radiotherapy. It helps us to assess the movement of lung cancer precisely with breathing and help to precisely target the lung tumour.

Extensive stage small cell lung cancer is incurable and treatment option include chemotherapy or combination of chemotherapy+Immunotherapy. Chemotherapy is usually used for 4-6 cycles, every 3 weeks interval. When combination of chemotherapy and Immunotherapy is used for 4-6 cycles, then Immunotherapy alone can be continued after 4-6 cycles as a maintenance therapy to control the cancer. Chest radiotherapy is often used after 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy to control the cancer in lung better.
About 50% of small cell lung cancer eventually relapse or spread to brain. Hence, as a preventative measures radiotherapy to brain often used after 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy; even when there is no cancer spread to the brain. 5-10 session of radiotherapy over 1 to 2 weeks, is often used for brain radiotherapy. This reduces the risk of cancer spread to brain and has also shown to improve survival in small cell lung cancer patients.
Palliative radiotherapy is sometimes used for symptom control like pain or bleeding etc.



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