Iris Cole interviews Prof. Ido Wolf of Ichilov about the developments in the field of cancer (Walla system!)
We are aware that cancer cases have increased in the general population in the last ten years.
But while we are used to hearing about types of cancer such as breast, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancer, we are less familiar with pharyngeal cancer.
The incidence of malignancies of the pharyngeal cavity (tonsils and the base of the tongue) has been on a constant rise in recent years and is expected to double by 2030. This alarming increase is mainly attributed to the increase in infection with the papillomavirus in the pharyngeal cavity.
A high percentage of people will be exposed to the papilloma virus in their lifetime, but most people will clear the virus from their body within two years.
Some people will be left with a chronic infection.
"In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of cases of patients diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer caused by the papillomavirus HPV, which is considered the most common cause of sexually transmitted diseases, and out of 100 different subtypes of the virus, about 4 subtypes can be transmitted through direct sexual contact with the oral cavity or the genitalia," explains Dr. Jobran Mansour, an expert in head and neck oncology surgery and reconstructive microsurgery at the Ear, Nose and Throat Center in Ichilov. He adds that "at any given moment, about 10 percent of men and 3.6 percent of women carry the papilloma virus."
A robot instead of chemotherapy
According to him, "the accepted theory is that chronic and years-long infection with the papilloma virus may cause some people to develop pharyngeal cancer. These patients will often suffer from sore throat, ear pain, difficulty or pain in eating or drinking, weight loss, blood from the pharyngeal cavity, or neck swelling (neck gland enlarged)".
If the conventional treatment so far for patients with pharyngeal cancer has been through radiation treatments or chemoradiation with a good response to treatment, over the years late complications of radiation have been observed such as: damage to the swallowing muscles, difficulty in drinking and eating actions that led the patients to depend on enteral feeding which caused them a serious impairment in quality Life.
Therefore, in recent years, another solution has been sought.
Sore throat, pain in the ear, difficulty eating or drinking, weight loss or neck swelling (Photo: ShutterStock, fizkes)
This solution came through the da Vinci robot, which allows safe removal of the tumor.
"Robotic surgery allows for precise work in a very small space (the mouth and pharynx) and enables a close-up approach to the tumor with significant magnification by a 3D vision system, which enables complete resection of tumors that cannot always be seen," explained Dr. Jobran.
It all started with a bump in the neck
Five months ago, 74-year-old Igor noticed a bump on the right side of his neck.
He turned to the A.G. doctor in the community who referred him to a series of tests in order to diagnose the suspicious finding.
Igor came to Dr. Jobran's clinic and an initial examination revealed that it was indeed a cancerous tumor. Igor was referred for a biopsy, the results of which revealed that it was a cancerous tumor in the pharynx
. to adapt and deal with new situations, but this time when I received the news about the tumor, I felt more vulnerable and helpless.
Fortunately, my wife Galina supported me and assured me that we would get through it together and when it was all over we would fly to Canada to visit our daughter and grandchildren, the anticipation of meeting them strengthened me and gave me strength," said Igor.
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"Dr. Jobran summoned us to a meeting at his clinic and offered us a new surgical option to remove the tumor using the da Vinci robot, he explained to us that the robot allows for very precise work and can bring better results with a shorter recovery time," said Igor.
The use of the robot became possible after in recent years the opinion grew stronger that patients with pharyngeal cancer caused by the papilloma virus, and unlike pharyngeal cancer caused by heavy smoking or drinking alcohol, have a less violent tumor and a higher chance of recovery, therefore the thought arose of trying to reduce the severity and rigidity of oncological treatment.
A week ago, Igor underwent the operation very successfully, and already that evening he was able to talk.
The first conversation was with his worried daughter and grandchildren in Canada: "I told my daughter about the great fortune I had to meet a wonderful and pleasant doctor like Dr. Jobran, how advanced medicine in Israel is and about the innovative surgery I underwent with the robot, I was filled with a sense of pride, even though we live in such a small country There is advanced and high-quality medicine with a first-rate team of doctors," concludes Igor.
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