Microlaryngeal laser surgery for vocal cord cancer begins in Kashi

Varanasi: In order to provide better treatment to cancer patients, the Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Cancer Centre (MPMMCC) and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH), both run by Tata Memorial Centre in Varanasi, have started microlaryngeal laser surgery for the patients suffering from vocal cord cancer. It is for the first time that such a surgery has been started in Uttar Pradesh.
In a very short span of time, more than 20 patients have been successfully operated through this modern procedure at MPMMCC. Microlaryngeal laser surgery is used to treat vocal cord cancer, leukoplakia, polyp cancer and early oral cancer lesions. While this procedure takes less time to perform this surgery, there are no surgery marks left (cut) anywhere on the face. Most of the surgeries performed by this method in the hospital so far have been related to the vocal cord.
Dr. Aseem Mishra, in-charge of head and neck cancer department of MPMMCC and HBCH, said the MPMMCC is the first such hospital in the state to operate vocal cord through microlaryngeal laser surgery. Earlier, this surgery was not available anywhere in Uttar Pradesh.
“In the last few days, we have performed surgery on more than 20 cancer patients with this method. The biggest feature of microlaryngeal laser surgery is that the patient does not have to undergo open surgery, which reduces hospital stay after the surgery,” he said, adding that at the same time, this surgery is cost and time effective and its success rate is 90-95%, provided patients approach the hospital in an early stage.
“The early symptoms of vocal cord cancer may be hoarseness of voice. If one sees such symptoms, it is better to see a doctor immediately. Along with this, we also appeal to the ENT specialists that if such symptoms are seen in a patient, then they must also suggest them for cancer screening, so that the disease can be identified in time,” he added.
Dr. Durgatosh Pandey, deputy director of MPMMCC, said that vocal cord cancer comes under head and neck cancer and consumption of tobacco products is responsible for up to 90% of head and neck cancer. Therefore, to avoid such disease, tobacco products should not be consumed at all, he added.