Date:08/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/08/stories/2009110853950300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin

“Need for advancement in radiation therapy”

Staff Reporter

Radiation therapy highlighted through power point presentation

— Photo: N. Rajesh

Latest trends: House Surgeons attending a symposium in Tuticorin on Saturday.

Tuticorin: The Government Medical College Hospital, Tuticorin, organised an inter–collegiate symposium on the ‘Role of radiation in treating patients affected with head and neck cancer scientifically’ on its premises here on Saturday.

S. Thanukrishnan, Head, Department of Radiotherapy, Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital, (TVMCH) who was the chief guest, said that 25 per cent of total cancers of the human body was concerned with head and neck.

He stressed the need for technological advancements in radiation therapy towards achieving the goal of organ preservation. As for cancer of larynx, the factors of facial disfigurement and worsening voice box (vocal chord) was prevalent in the past.

The usage of latest technologies of conservation surgery and radiation therapy especially in the early stage was highlighted with the aid of a power point presentation.

S. Dhanalakshmi, Professor, Department of ENT, V. Vishwanathan, Head, Department of Radiotherapy and C. Ravikumar, Head, Department of ENT, TVMCH, spoke on the functions and preservation of vocal chord in cancer management.

While Jeyakumar Sahayam, Head Department of Surgery, TVMCH, addressed on the impact of breast cancer.

The symposium was attended by the doctors and post graduate students of medical college, Tirunelveli, along with doctors and house surgeons in medical college, Tuticorin.