There are times when the lower lip goes dry, and a white patch might form over it. However, for a person’s uncle, a middle-aged man, it turned out to be a tumour. First there was a white patch, then it became a lump. The patient then decided to consult a doctor. Along with his nephew, he went to the doctor, where a biopsy was performed. After looking at the biopsy report and some other reports, the doctor suggested that they consult an oncologist.
This news devastated both the patient and his nephew. This is not what they were hoping for. This news changed everything for them. The patient started questioning his whole life: how did it all start, what will happen now, will he heal, or will he get appropriate treatment? Now, he had to reorient his future around this piece of news.
The patient then consulted an oncologist at a local nursing home who performed surgery. However, it did not address the lymph nodes in the neck. Consequently, the patient, his nephew, and the patient’s family were shattered. The right treatment has started to look like a myth. With every passing day, they were losing time, and the cancer was increasing. Then they started searching for a good hospital.
They came to know that Hope and Heal is a reputed hospital for cancer treatment. The patient was brought here, where they got an appointment with Dr. Brahmananda Arjun Bhangargi. He recommended necessary diagnostic workup and staging investigations. After reviewing the test reports, the doctor recommended surgery. Without losing any more time, the patient underwent the surgery. According to Dr. Brahmananda, a revision lip surgery was performed along with a submental flap reconstruction. The lymph nodes from the neck were also removed.
The patient was discharged after approximately five days. The histopathology report became available after the surgery and showed that the disease was at a very early stage. Thus, the patient did not require any adjuvant treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Post-surgery, the patient started eating and drinking normally. The doctor recommended them for follow-up appointments every three months. At the second follow-up, the patient was told that he did not need further medication.
The patient and the nephew are extremely satisfied with the hospital, the doctor, the nurses, and the staff. All of them were very compassionate and helpful towards them. In their words, they were treated like a family and were made to feel at home. They cannot emphasize enough that if anyone notices anything unusual, they must consult a doctor as early as possible. This is because timely treatment can save lives.
The story is a journey of quick decision, quality treatment, and the value of access to specialized cancer care closer to home. What began as a small lump on the lower lip required specialised attention, but with the right evaluation and treatment, the patient made a good recovery and returned to his normal routine. At Hope and Heal Cancer Hospital, Siliguri, patients can consult specialists for cancer evaluation, surgical treatment, and follow-up care.