Bengaluru doctor treats a rare form of skin cancer

· Skin cancer on the breast and infiltrating it is the rarest of the rare cancers in the world.
· The tumor size being 5 kg.

Worldwide, cancer is on the way to equaling cardiac disease as the biggest killer. In India, it is now the second biggest killer, after heart disease and stroke, up from seventh position in 2000, reports the World Health Organization (WHO).

Innovative diagnostic facilities in cancer treatment are opening a whole new world for possible early diagnosis and cures. The first treatment for a rare form of skin cancer – Syringocystadeno carcinoma paplliferum, diagnosed and treated by Dr.Anthony Pais at Cytecare cancer hospital Bengaluru is one such case where the right diagnosis was the game-changer in the treatment of the disease, which was discussed at a press briefing on 22nd June at Taj Vivanta.

Addressing the press, Dr Anthony Pais, a renowned breast cancer surgeon as well as Co-founder and Clinical Director, Cytecare said, “There are two types of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma. All over the globe if you take the percentage of skin cancer cases, most of them are non-melanoma. Among all the non-melanoma skin cancers, 75% of them are basal cell cancers; 20% of them are squamous cell cancers and about 2% of them being adnexal skin tumours. Most of these adnexal tumours are benign. The rarity of this adnexal skin cancer involving the breast is the rarest of the rare cancer. In this case the problem started with the wart and with a birth mark close by, which is technically called a nevus. This grew over a period of time involving the breast. Most often it is benign but there is 10% chance of being malignant.”

Reflecting upon the diagnosis, he said, “It is very difficult to know about the disease or diagnose it at an early stage. So, there is no precaution and can’t be prevented. Moreover, it is not genetic. Excessive exposure to sunlight can be one of the reasons and so our farmers are at a greater risk. One might diagnose this case to be that of a breast cancer and a wrong diagnosis means unnecessary chemotherapy. The treatment is for the skin cancer arising on the breast infiltrating into it. So, proper surgery and radiotherapy is the answer.

Even mammography is of no help, as it can detect only breast cancer and not the type of skin cancer on the breast. So, self-examination of the breast including the skin is the only precaution one can take.”

Speaking at the briefing, Suresh Ramu, Co-Founder and CEO, Cytecare said, “Fighting cancer the right way is our philosophy and this case helps us to demonstrate our principle loud and clear. We practice approaches that help us to diagnose and treat cancer with utmost accuracy and precision”

Talking about the joy of Amina being on the path to overcoming the disease, she said, “Expressing her gratitude in view of the meticulous care received at Cytecare, Mrs Amina, patient from Nigeria says, “I suddenly found a lump on the left breast in November 2014 and then was diagnosed as chronic mastitis in local hospital in Nigeria. Was put on a lot of antibiotics and then underwent surgery, wherein the biopsy report suggested papillary carcinoma. With no proper treatment plan and lack of direction, I felt horrible. For the last three years, in the absence of right diagnosis, lack of treatment and no one to approach, I kind of lost hope.”

She adds, “My family and I got very anxious about this situation and on the recommendation of a local doctor decided to visit Dr. Anthony Pais at Cytecare for treatment. It has been a miraculous experience since the time I am here. I have got the best doctor and the best treatment, my pathogenic condition is under good control and my physical condition has improved by a series of treatment. Cancer changes your life, often for the better.”