Frequently Asked Questions

A medical subspeciality of Radiology that plays a vital role in both emergency and elective care, Interventional Radiology (IR) is the minimally invasive, image-guided treatment of certain diseases/ conditions that may otherwise require an open surgery. IR procedures are performed with the help of advanced imaging modalities like MRI, CT and ultrasound scans, in cath labs/ sterile operation theatre environments. The interventional radiologist can see the inside of the body and treat complex conditions ranging from brain aneurysms to cancers, through very small incisions (2-3mm in 90% cases), with unmatched precision and speed.

Avoids major surgeries in certain conditions/ diseases Mostly performed under local anaesthesia/sedation Tiny incision, minimal scarring Significantly lesser post-surgery pain Minimal blood loss Fewer post-surgical complications Faster recovery Shorter hospital stay/ same-day discharge for many procedures

Our spine is nature’s extraordinary miracle. Several complex structures come together to provide the human body with a fine balance of protection, support, strength and movement. A healthy spine is not just the bony segments but a combination of several ‘supporting structures’ - protective discs, strong muscles and attached ligaments and tendons. The 24 bony segments or vertebral bodies or vertebrae in the spine are interspersed with a tough, yet soft gel-like cushion or shock-absorber, called intervertebral disc. The muscles surrounding the spine or ‘para-spinal muscles’ are attached to the bones through ligaments. Together these structures, called the ‘natural tension band’ provide mobility, strength and protection to the back. The core of our spine’s movement, structure and flexibility comes from complex biomechanics of the bony vertebrae and supporting structures. Often compared to a ‘crane’, it is said that for the spine to be stable, all elements must be intact and function in unison.

A healthy back is a combination of healthy bones, mobile joints, and strong muscles. Unfortunately, a complex system like our back or spine is prone to issues arising from one or more malfunctioning elements. Any disturbance to the spine and it’s supporting structures due to aging, trauma, lifestyle stresses or other pathologies can lead to spinal complications, most commonly appearing as back or neck pain. Maintaining a healthy spine is almost non-negotiable to ensure a healthy, pain-free and active life. Simple activities such as maintaining healthy posture, regular exercise, good nutrition and regular exposure to the sun, go a long way in maintaining a healthy spine.

The department is divided into a number of different areas with different functions. This includes but not limited to: Triage, Waiting Area, Fast track, Resuscitation unit with priority Red zone, Advanced Resuscitation zone, Paediatric Resuscitation zone, and Clinical Decision Unit, etc.

Yes, cancer is a curable disease, if it is diagnosed at an early stage (Stage I and II) and appropriate treatment is prescribed by cancer specialists. The highly treatable types of cancers are breast cancer, skin cancer (non-melanomas), colon cancer, prostate cancer, testis cancer, and cervical cancer. In the present day, even the early stage IV cancer can be curable. The focus has shifted to intent. From Stage I to early Stage IV (limited metastases) the approach now is with the intent to cure. The increasing use of immunotherapy and/or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in early-stage IV is a welcome development. Visit Best Cancer Centre in Bangalore to avail the advanced treatments for cancer.

Yes, radiotherapy can cause hair loss only when treating head, brain or scalp of a patient. It means hair loss is a common side effect that occurs in the area being treated with radiotherapy. Usually, hairs will start to fall out 2 to 3 weeks after treatment starts. In a female, radiotherapy to the breasts will lose hair in the armpit and male hair loss will occur in facial/beard/mustache. With radiotherapy of the head, brain and scalp, earlier the hair loss used to be permanent due to higher effect on the skin. In the present day, all these situations hairs start to regrow from 6 months to 1year in almost all people. In many it comes to the original level.

Here the answer has not changed. Cancer is not a contagious disease or disorder that can so quickly transmit from one person to another. The immune system of a healthy person will destroy the foreign cells, including cancer cells from another person. There is no such evidence that cancer is a communicable disease that can transmit from a cancer patient to a healthy person if they are in close contact or breathing common air. ONE CAN SAFELY MIX WITH CANCER PATIENTS, USE UTENSILS IN COMMON, AND ALLOW PLAYING WITH CHILDREN/GRANDCHILDREN. Occasionally, cancer can spread through tissue or organ transplantation methods due to immunosuppression medication.

Earlier it used to be 7 warning signals of the cancer. Presently, since the cancer is not uncommon, the advice would be, any persistent (lasting beyond a couple of weeks or months), progressive (increasing in intensity despite regular medication) complaints not responding to regular medication requires investigation to rule out cancer. Consult Best Cancer Care Specialists in Bangalore at Aster CMI hospital.

It is very important to use the time optimally with the time you spend during the consultation. Although you would be anxious to spend a lot of time knowing the outcome of the cancer vis a vis cure, the doctor may not exactly be able to assure the outcome of you in exact terms. The general statistics the doctors have is for choosing and recommending the treatment for you, and a specialist will not able to specify for you the cure. Instead, you should give enough time to regarding choices of treatment available and focus on what you can do to improve the probability of cure. Please check the survivorship program of Best Oncology Hospital in Bangalore