45-bed paediatric cancer ward to open at Cancer 14 Apr 2009, 0009 hrs IST, Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN Print<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-4397551,prtpage-1.cms> Email <javascript:openWindowmail('/mail/4397551.cms');> Discuss Share<javascript:void(0)> Save <javascript:showdivlayer('4397551','t','close');> Comment<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#write> Text: CHENNAI: Multi-disciplinary treatment of paediatric cancer<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>has increased the survival rate of children with the disease from 10% in the 1950s to almost 80% today. The Adyar Cancer Institute will take another decisive step towards treatment of cancer in children with the opening of a 45-bed paediatric cancer ward on Tuesday.
Six years after he gave a scintillating performance to raise funds for the Mahesh Memorial trust, A R Rahman will inaugurate the ward. The Rs 3.5 crore, state of the art facility has been done up keeping in mind the medical<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>and emotional needs of young sufferers. A Biswajit painting, a bright, colourful tableau, complete with children enjoying themselves in the zoo, the light house and more welcomes visitors, as does a huge wall mosaic done with bright butterfly motiffs. The rooms too have wall panels painted with cheerful sunflowers and happy children. "The new care centre will offer a combination of medical care, quality service by people conversant with treatment of chemotherapy and special attention," said Dr V Shantha, chairman, Adyar Cancer Institute. "Leukamia and lymphomas<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>, which constitute 50 % of all paediatric cancers are curable, provided they are detected early. However, since the patients are susceptible to infection, they need devoted, committed and comprehensive care," added Dr Shantha. According to her, the incidence of paediatric cancer ranges between 10. 5 and 11. 5 per 100,000 people in Chennai. "The basic difficulty in treatment lies in lack of awareness among parents. They bring them in too late," she added. The institute, which sees about 300 children every year, is one of the few centres in the country offering quality medical care at affordable cost. Only 40% of patients here pay for the services, while the rest avail of free wards. The cost of drug<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>and supportive care (non-hospitalisation) ranges between Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 lakh for treatment over 18-months. According to Dr T G Sagar, dean, College of Oncological Sciences, affiliated to MGR Medical University, "A paediatric speciality ward is necessary since children are highly chemo sensitive. They also need a multi disciplinary treatment and protocol based therapy<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms#>(customized drug schedule)," he added. "If treatment is compromised, then the chances of cure are at stake," he added. Sagar further said that protocol-based therapy, developed by Dr Shantha at the institute, which has become the national standard, has yielded 55% better results in the five and ten year time frame of treatment. "Lifelong follow-up is important for all paediatric cancer survivors," said Dr Shantha. The Mahesh Memorial Trust was founded in memory of music director Mahesh (who had worked in films, Vaanam Vasapadum' and Nammavar') who died of cancer in 2002. The new facility would be operational in two months, said Dr Shantha. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/45-bed-paediatric-cancer-ward-to-open-at-Cancer/articleshow/4397551.cms -- regards, Vithur