Page 26 - Essentia Vol 5 Issue 1

VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026 VOL V | ISSUE I | 5 AUGUST 2026
A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION A BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER OF ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION

PRE AND POST TREATMENT PICTURE

A response beyond expectations This case demonstrates that, even in resource-
constrained settings, palliative radiotherapy
Within weeks, the patient showed significant and oral metronomic chemotherapy can offer
improvement. Bleeding reduced, foul discharge meaningful and durable benefits. Cure may not
decreased, wound care became easier and pain always be possible, but symptom relief, disease
was better controlled. He was able to resume stabilisation and dignity remain valuable goals.
several routine activities.
The tumour also regressed remarkably. The Conclusion
large, disfiguring mass gradually reduced to a Palliative treatment does not mean giving up. When
much smaller residual defect. As the disease guided by compassion, evidence and affordability,
came under control, his confidence improved, it can provide comfort, hope and unexpectedly
social interaction increased and dependence on durable disease control.
caregivers reduced. In oncology, every healed wound, every relieved
Nearly 18 months after palliative radiotherapy, and symptom and every restored smile is a victory
after one year of oral metronomic chemotherapy, worth celebrating.
the patient continues to maintain meaningful local
disease control with preserved quality of life. This
response is especially significant considering the
advanced nature of the disease and the limited access
to expensive immunotherapy-based treatment. Palliative Care

Dignity beyond disease control is Active Care

For patients with visible head and neck cancers,
suffering is not only physical. Pain, bleeding and Palliative treatment is not about giving
wound-related symptoms are often accompanied up. It focuses on relieving symptoms,
by stigma, altered body image, social withdrawal and improving comfort, maintaining dignity
emotional distress. Treatment success, therefore,
should not be measured only by scans or tumour and helping patients live better, even
response. It must also be seen in confidence regained, when cure may not be possible.
dignity restored and quality of life improved.

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