Ludhiana, April 8
Cancer accounts for more than 3,00,000 deaths every year in India. Cancer by nature spreads to various parts of the body and is fairly common in the liver.

The liver is the largest solid organ in the body and is situated in the upper part of the abdominal cavity.

The major function of the liver is to deal with the nutrient products of digestion and process any absorbed toxins through the intestines and ingested drugs.

It is also involved in recycling red blood cells, production of essential proteins and clotting of the blood.

Liver surgery comprises various operations of the liver for different disorders. The most common operation is the removal of a part of the liver, which is cancer affected. The cancers may originate in the liver (primary) or they may spread from another primary site (secondary).

Certain benign (non-cancerous) disorders like haemangiomas, adenomas etc may also require liver surgery. The most common secondary cancer is the cancer of the large bowel that spreads to the liver.

It is estimated that at any given time, there are more than 500 patients in Punjab with cancer of the large bowel. Half the number of these patients would also have or develop secondary cancer in the liver. If left untreated, most of these patients would succumb to the disease within a year or so.

Surgery to remove these tumors in the liver would provide these patients a chance for cure. Surgery is also possible for secondary cancers in the liver that originate elsewhere in the body. Unfortunately, many patients have not been considered for surgery for one reason or another. However, with advances in liver surgery, removal of tumors of the liver by surgery can be done safely. In a select group of patients, removal of these tumors can also be done by a keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.

In case surgery is not possible, other options include chemotherapy, cryotherapy (freezing using liquid nitrogen), and radio frequency ablation (heat treatment using radio frequency waves). While these other options are unlikely to be curative, they may help in delaying the progress of the disease.

Dr Robin Thambudorai, reader, Department of Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital, said the hospital had initiated a process for the establishment of a liver unit and at present liver surgery is available for all conditions described above.

Ludhiana, April 8
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), commonly known as open heart surgery is about 99 per cent safe and risk-free, provide the patient seeks expert medical assistance well in time. Nowadays, more and more young patients are coming with heart problems, so the use of arterial grafts is advocated to give them longer intervention-free life.

These remarks were made by Dr K.C. Mukherji, cardiac surgeon at SPS Apollo Hospital here while addressing a seminar on cardiology, organised by the local branch of the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) here last evening.

Stating that 'Beating-heart surgery' was the order of the day, Dr Mukherji highlighted the role of family physicians in creating more and more awareness in general public and clarifying myths attached with bypass surgery in the minds of common people. He maintained that even the cost of this procedure (CABG) was affordable now and India had skilled surgical professionals comparable with the very best in the world. This was evident from the increasing number of foreign national and NRI's coming to India for coronary bypass and other complex procedures.

Dr R.P.Singh, cardiologist at Apollo, while speaking on 'Chest pain and its management' said that aspirin tablets should be immediately given without wasting any time. "This simple step can save the further damage to heart till the patient is referred to nearby Cath-lab. With timely intervention, the heart of the patient can be saved to minimise the chances of future heart attacks," he said.

As far as preventive measures against cardiac problems were concerned, he emphasised the role of regular exercise, reduction of weight, cessation of smoking and fatty foods. He particularly stressed the need for control of hypertension and diabetes.

The district secretary of NIMA, Dr Surendra Gupta, informed that the association was organising various projects for the benefit of poor and needy patients. People suffering from various ailments like diabetes, heart diseases, kidney problems, smoking, drug addiction, cataract and other crippling diseases were availing themselves of medical facilities at the camps organised by NIMA on a regular basis.

The president of the body, Dr Rajesh Thaper, highlighted the role of continued medical education (CME) projects in updating the knowledge of integrated graduates (members of NIMA) so that they could serve the society in a better way.

Ludhiana, April 8
Free polio surgery camp has been organised by the Bhagwan Mahavir Sewa Sansthan at Viklang Sahayata Kendra, Rishi Nagar.

The camp started on March 31 where 188 patients were registered, out of which 52 were operated upon by Dr Ujjagar Singh and Dr Pawan Dhingra.

As many as 12 tricycles and 36 callipers were given to physically handicapped persons.

Rakesh Pandey, former Punjab minister, visited the hospital and distributed fruits to the patients and wished them early recovery and good health.

Balkar Singh, area councillor, also visited the patients.

The sansthan thanked the donors and volunteers for their contribution towards this noble cause and honoured the nurses of the Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Research and Hospital with ‘Nishkam Sewak Certificates’ for their self-less services during the camp. Staff of Viklang Kendra were also honoured with the certificates for their service and cooperation during the camp.

Ludhiana, April 8
Trials to enroll players for sports wings and Speed Fund Academy being run here by the Punjab Sports Department will be organised at Guru Nanak Sports Complex and on the Punjab Agricultural University campus grounds on April 9, 10 and 11.

According to a press release issued today, Gianinder Singh Sandhu, district sports officer, Ludhiana, trials to shortlist boys and girls for the sports wing (judo) in the age groups of u-14, u-17 and u-19 years will be conducted at Guru Nanak Stadium on April 9 and 10.

Trials to select basketball players (u-17 and u-19) will be held on April 9, 10 and 11 at the same venue.

Trials for cycling boys as well as girls (u-14, u-17 and u-19 years) will be conducted at the PAU velodrome on April 9.

Aspirants of weightlifting in the age groups of u-17 and u-19 years have been asked to attend the trials on April 9 and 10 at the Ludhiana Weightlifting Club, Ragh Bagh.

Similarly, trials for four disciplines-- judo, weightlifting, lawn tennis and table tennis --for the Speed Fund Academy will be held on April 9 and 10.

Players who have secured the first three positions in the state-level championships and the national meets are eligible for these trials.

Interested players have been asked to bring date of birth certificates, achievement certificates along with latest passport size photographs.