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| AKUH’s
Signs, Symptoms and Care’ Programme
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Head and Neck Cancer is Second Most Common Cancer in Patients Who
Take Paan, Tobacco and Chalia
"There is increased incidence of head and neck cancer in this
part of the world, it is the second most common cancer of the entire
body.” said Dr Mubasher Ikram, Head, Section of ENT-Head and
Neck Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), while giving a
presentation on ‘Common Nasal Diseases’ at AKUH Clifton
Medical Services. Dr Ikram informed that head and neck cancers are
commonly seen in patients who are in the habit of consuming paan,
tobacco, chalia, betel quit, slake lime, naswar, alcohol and other
such products. “Early diagnosis of head and neck cancer is the
key point as the outcome of the patient is far better if diagnosed
earlier than in advanced stages.” Treatment mainly comprises
surgery which can be combined with radiation, if necessary. Dr Ikram
suggested regular follow-ups in the management of head and neck cancer,
and placed special emphasis on creating awareness of tobacco hazards.
Dr Ikram was one of three speakers at the ‘Signs, Symptoms and
Care’ programme organised by the University Hospital at Clifton
Medical Services. Dr Mohammad Sohail Awan, Assistant Professor, and
Dr Anwar Suhail, Assistant Professor, AKUH Consultants ENT-Head and
Neck Surgeons also addressed the gathering.
Dr Ikram informed the participants that most cases of sinusitis are
indirectly caused by viral infections, such as the common cold and
that the inflammation of the sinuses tends to clear up within about
the same period it takes to get over a cold, i.e. about two weeks.
Many cases of sinusitis are related to allergic reactions to dust,
moulds, pollens and certain foods. Dr Ikram advised to avoid airborne
pollutants including cigarette smoke increase inflammation of the
sinuses. He added that alcohol also causes sinuses to swell. Chlorine
added to swimming pools can also greatly irritate the nasal passage
and sinuses.
Dr Ikram informed that endoscopic examination techniques and CT scan
of international standards are available at AKU. He further stated
that with the latest developments in technique and state-of- the-art
equipment and expertise available at AKUH, FESS (Functional Endoscopic
Sinus Surgery) is being performed, which promises a marked reduction
in the recurrence of sinusitis.
Underscoring the viability of a cochlear implant, Dr Mohammad Sohail
Awan said that cochlear implant is a “very significant advancement
in the medical history to help those who have severe to profound hearing
loss and do not receive any benefit from hearing aids. Cochlear implant
systems convert everyday sounds into coded electrical impulses. These
electrical pulses stimulate the hearing nerve, and the brain interprets
them as sound. A cochlear implant system consists of two main parts:
one is an internal implanted part called the implant and the other
is an external part known as the speech processor. “Both children
and adults can use cochlear implants effectively whether they are
born deaf or suffer hearing loss later in life,” he informed
the audience.
The presentations were followed by a question and answer session with
the consultants.
As part of its outreach programme and societal commitment of creating
awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment, AKUH organises
such programmes. The Hospital has organised over 190 ‘Signs,
Symptoms and Care’ programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad and the
UAE, benefiting more than 38,000 people. Similarly, the University
Hospital’s Patient Welfare Programme reaches out to patients
by providing assistance to those patients who are unable to afford
the medical cost of their treatment. Seventy-three per cent of all
patients treated at the AKUH are from low- to middle-income areas.
Since the inception of this welfare programme in 1986, over Rs. 1.22
billion has been disbursed to more than 225,000 needy patients.
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