It's an affliction that's plaguing 150 patients a year.
It's an affliction that's plaguing 150 patients a year.
PS: It's also known as Multiple Myeloma, the cancer Lisa Ray has been diagnosed with
Multiple Myeloma or Kahler's disease, a condition that plagues actor Lisa Ray, remains a finite death knell for patients in the city, say doctors.
Ray was diagnosed with the condition in July. Head of medical oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Dr S Banavali admits that while a lot of research has gone on in this field, doctors are still unable to guarantee any patient that they can make a full recovery. He however adds, "with chemotherapy and pain management, we are now able to keep patients alive for around eight years."
The hospital sees around 150 new patients with the condition every year and most fall into the age bracket of 50 years and above, though younger patients are not uncommon. Severe bone pain is the most common symptom that patients complain of. "There is also no theory to suggest that lifestyle factors like smoking, unhealthy diet or alcohol consumption can be a contributing factor", says Banavali.
u00a0"For most, hospice is the only option. The disease is painful, treatment takes over three to four years and it is expensive. Most people often choose to get themselves admitted into a nursing home where they spend the remainder. It's like passive euthanasia. However treatment cannot and should not be ruled out if only to give patients a better quality of life", says Nanavati hospital oncologist Dr Nagraj Huilgol.
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