ABOUT The Doctor

Dr. Akshay Shah

MBBS , DNB - Genral Medicine

DNB Medical Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant Physician Washington Seattle

Dr. Akshay Shah is the director of Conquer cancer daycare center. He has experience of more than 15 years in the field of oncology. He studied DNB oncology at jaslok hospital. He then went to Seattle, USA to pursue a fellowship in Stern cell transplant.

During his training in India And USA, he has been part of more than 320 transplants which include autologous, allogenic and cord transplants. He has independently done various autologous and allogenic transplants with more than 70% success rate. He has treated various carcinomas, sarcoma, melanomas and bone tumors. Patients benefit from his vast experience and immense knowledge of all the recent treatment approaches. He has a special interest in more challenging blood cancers.

Expertise

A surgical procedure in which a cut is made through the skin to remove an entire lump or suspicious area so it can be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

A biopsy is a medical procedure performed to obtain a tissue sample from a specific area of the body for further examination. When it comes to superficial lumps, which are lumps or growths that are close to the surface of the skin, a biopsy may be necessary to determine their nature, whether they are benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

There are different types of biopsies that can be conducted for superficial lumps, depending on various factors such as the size, location, and characteristics of the lump. One common method is a skin biopsy, which involves removing a small portion of the affected skin tissue. This can be done through various techniques such as a punch biopsy, shave biopsy, or excisional biopsy.

Pleural and ascitic fluid tapping are medical procedures used to obtain fluid samples from the pleural cavity (around the lungs) and the abdominal cavity (around the organs), respectively.

Pleural fluid tapping, also known as thoracentesis, is performed when there is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the pleural space, which can be caused by conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, cancer, or infection. During the procedure, a healthcare professional inserts a thin needle or a catheter into the pleural space, usually guided by imaging techniques like ultrasound. The fluid is then withdrawn and sent for laboratory analysis to determine its composition and identify any underlying causes or infections.

Ascitic fluid tapping, also called paracentesis, is done when there is an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, a condition known as ascites. Ascites can be caused by liver disease, heart failure, cancer, or other conditions.

Lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure performed to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the subarachnoid space in the lower back.

During a lumbar puncture, the patient is positioned on their side or sits with their back curved and their knees pulled up towards their chest. The back is cleaned and sterilized, and a local anesthetic is administered to numb the area. A thin, hollow needle is then inserted between two vertebrae in the lower back, into the subarachnoid space. The needle is carefully advanced until it reaches the desired location, and a small amount of CSF is collected in sterile tubes.

The collected CSF sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis, which can help diagnose conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, or certain types of cancer that affect the CNS.

Bone marrow aspiration is a medical procedure used to collect a sample of bone marrow for examination. It involves the extraction of a small amount of liquid marrow, usually from the hip bone or sternum.

The area is cleaned and numbed, and a needle is inserted into the bone to withdraw the marrow. The sample is then analyzed in a laboratory to evaluate the cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Bone marrow aspiration is often performed to diagnose and monitor various blood disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and certain types of anemia.

Bone marrow biopsy is a medical procedure used to obtain a sample of the solid tissue within the bone marrow for examination. It is often performed in conjunction with a bone marrow aspiration to provide a comprehensive assessment of the bone marrow.

During a bone marrow biopsy, the patient is positioned in a way that allows access to the bone marrow site, typically the hip bone or sternum. The area is cleaned and numbed, and a larger needle is inserted into the bone. With a twisting motion, a small core of bone marrow tissue is extracted. The procedure may cause some discomfort or pressure sensation, but it is generally tolerable.

Chemotherapy is the most commonly used treatment approach for most forms of cancer. It is a drug treatment that destroys rapidly growing cells in the body.

There are many types of chemotherapy drugs available for treatment for different cancers. This treatment approach can be a standalone treatment or be used in combination with other methods like radiation & surgery.

Chemotherapy is most often used to kill cancer cells in patients suffering from various cancers.

Chemotherapy can be a standalone treatment option for patients who are not suitable for surgery or other treatment methods. In most surgical cancer cases, there is a likelihood of certain harmful cells being left out.

Cancer Immunotherapy or immuno-oncology is a promising & evolving treatment approach for cancer that uses the power of body’s own immune system to fight cancer.

Utilising the power of immune system is an excellent way to fight cancer. Here are few reasons why immunotherapy is a good treatment option for cancer patients.

This therapy is precise & highly targeted. As such healthy cells are not adversely impacted.

Just like cancer, the immune system can adapt continuously & dynamically.

Certain cancers rely on growth of hormones. In other words, certain types of cancers are fuelled by these hormones

In such cases, hormone therapy, also known as hormonal therapy or endocrine therapy, can be effective in slowing down or completely stopping the spread of cancer by blocking the body’s ability to produce certain hormones or altering the behaviour of hormone receptors in the body.

Cancers most commonly treated with Hormone therapy include :

  • Breast Cancer
  • Endometrial Cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Prostate Cancer

Genetic counselling offers you a way to learn how likely you are to develop cancer. This is useful for individuals who have close family members affected by this disease.

Interestingly, only 5 to 10% of all cancers are linked to genes. In most cases, genetic testing may be required only when certain types of cancer run in a family and a problem with a gene is known to be the cause.

Genetic counsellors will:

  • Evaluate the individual’s personal & family cancer history
  • Analyse individual’s inherited cancer risk
  • Simplify the concepts of genetics & hereditary cancer risks
  • Empower the individual to make an informed decision
  • Address the individual’s queries & concerns

Bone Marrow Transplant, also known as Stem Cell Transplant, is a procedure in which diseased bone marrow is replaced by healthy blood forming stem cells.

Bone marrow transplant has been successfully used to treat many diseases, specifically blood cancers like leukemias, lymphomas.

Bone Marrow Transplant can be used to replace damaged & non-functioning bone marrow with healthy functioning cells in diseases like leukaemia, aplastic anaemic & sick cell anemia.

Bone Marrow Transplant can also be used to regenerate a new immune system that can fight leukaemia or other cancers that are not killed by radiation or chemotherapy.

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