Patna: Reconstructive surgery can help restore functions in areas affected by head and neck cancer, oncologist Kaustav Talapatra from Mumbai said here on Saturday.

He was among the speakers on the inaugural day of the two-day conference organised by the East Oncology Group in collaboration with the Association of Radiation Oncologists of India.

Dr Talapatra, the head of radiation oncology at Kokilaben Hospital, said a patient's nose, tongue and throat can be reconstructed with tissues taken from other parts of the body such as abdomen and thigh to restore the functions.

Director and head of medical oncology at Patna's Mahavir Cancer Sansthan Manisha Singh spoke on breast cancer at the conference.

"There are several types of tumours that may develop in different areas in breast cancer cases. The treatment depends on a number of factors including the size and location of the breast tumour, the cancer stage, and result of laboratory tests. Before undergoing treatment, women should be encouraged to learn about the different treatment options and possible alternatives available to them. It is always wise to get a second opinion in breast cancer treatment," said Dr Singh.

Vikram Choudhary from Mumbai's Tata Memorial Hospital, spoke on how gastrointestinal cancer effects a patient's digestive system.

"Gastrointestinal cancer spreads across the oesophagus, gall bladder, liver, pancreas, stomach, small intestine and the bowel area," he said.

Patna-based gastro-surgeon Utpal Anand talked about the optimal surgery for gall bladder cancers. "Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. There are new targeted therapies for treatment of gastric cancers now. It ensures radiation of cancerous cells with more precision without affecting other non-cancerous tissues," he said.

Earlier in the day, Madhuchanda Kar from Calcutta's Peerless Hospital, surgical oncologist Ridu Sharma from Delhi and Dr S.K. Keshri from the Paras HMRI hospital highlighted many points during a session on lung cancer.

They said the main reason for lung cancer was smoking and that more people die from lung cancer than from other cancers. More women die of lung cancer than from breast cancer, they added.

Organising secretary of the conference Dr Rajesh Kumar Singh, who is also the secretary of East Oncology Group, said the two-day conference is aimed at educating oncologists and allied specialists from across the country on advancements made in cancer treatment and care.

Nearly 100 prominent oncologists are participating in the event.