DOHA: An advanced method of treatment for head and neck cancer has been introduced at the Rumailah Hospital of the Hamad Medical Corporation.
The hospital has successfully introduced reconstruction and resection of the cancer tumor using the tissue flap from the patient’s arm.
The Department of Otorhinolaryngology has done five surgeries for Head and Neck Cancer Resection Using Microvascular method since January. Patients included those who had cancer of the tongue, oropharynx, hypopharynx and salivary gland tumors, said Dr Faizal Abdulkader, ENT Consultant at the Rumailah Hospital yesterday speaking to reporters.
“We are first as an ENT department we are doing cancer reconstruction micro vascular anasteriosis as one department,” he said. “Since we have attended five cases and even patients who are Europeans prefer getting treated here because of the standard of our services,” said his colleagues Salandeen Ghozi and Dr Hussein Al Enazi, Specialists in ORL-HNS (ENT) at Rumailah Hospital.
The hospital presently providing semi endoscopy and lasser treatment is planning to introduce robotic surgeries for specific cases of head and neck cancer.
Suspected cancer cases within few hours will be referred to the ENT department. It would take two weeks for the investigations and decide the type of treatment to be given and another couple of weeks to finalise the surgery.
“The department has succeeded meeting this time frame for investigation, diagnoses and treatment according to international recommendations,” said Dr Abdulkader.
Most common causes for head and neck cancer smoking and consuming liquor. Also chewing ‘khat’ type of leave has been found as a reason causing head and neck cancer in the region, according to specialists.
People are advised to see a doctor if they are concerned about certain symptoms like swelling or sore that does not heal; red or white patch in the mouth; lump, bump, or mass in the head or neck area (with or without pain); persistent sore throat; foul mouth odor not explained by hygiene, hoarseness or change in voice; nasal obstruction or persistent nasal congestion; frequent nose bleeds and/or unusual nasal discharge; difficulty breathing; double vision; numbness or weakness of a body part in the head and neck region; pain or difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaws or tongue; ear and/or jaw pain; blood in the saliva or phlegm (mucus discharged in mouth from respiratory passages); loosening of teeth; dentures that no longer fit; unexplained weight loss and fatigue.
The Peninsula
