Regional Cancer Centre
Encyclopedia
The Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) at Thiruvananthapuram
is a state-owned cancer
care hospital and research centre, one among 26 such centres in India
operating under the 'National Cancer Control Programme' of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India).It was founded in 1981. RCC is located in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College campus. It was established in 1981 as an expansion of the Radiation Therapy
/ Radiotherapy department of Medical College Trivandrum. It is a tertiary care centre for the managements of all types of cancer
. The clinics are mainly on haematology, lymphoreticular, soft tissue, bone, head and neck, breast/CNS, gynaec/urinary, chest, gastro, paediatric oncology and thyroid.
Thiruvananathapuram, which were primarily concerned with cancer care to the Regional Cancer Centre with a view to developing the same as a Centre of excellence, and also augmenting the teaching and research activities.
The Centre is now an autonomous scientific institution sponsored jointly by the Government of Kerala and the Government of India and receives financial assistance from both. It has been designated as a Science and Technology Centre in the health sector by the State Government. The Centre was thus created to meet the following objectives:
Realisation of the above objectives has meant a commitment going beyond the call of medicine. RCC has consistently laid emphasis on the often ignored fact that early detection of cancer should always go hand-in-hand with effective therapy if high cure rates are to be achieved. As a comprehensive cancer centre, RCC has been the major force and leader in cancer control activities in the region. To promote early cancer detection, the first Community Oncology division in India was established in RCC, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1985. With the planning and execution of Kerala State Cancer Control Programme undertaken by RCC, the centre has gained considerable experience in organizing and conducting community-oriented cancer control programmes.
For effective state of-the-art multidisciplinary therapy, a comprehensive diagnostic infrastructure is mandatory. RCC has one of the finest diagnostic setups in the country. The Cytopathology Division provides all specialized investigations in addition to conventional histopathology and cytology. The Image logy and Nuclear Medicine Divisions use state of the art diagnostic imaging technology to provide accurate diagnosis. Our clinics bring together in one setting all the experts needed to develop complete diagnosis and treatment plans. Each patient’s particular need determines the treatment and specialists involved. The plan takes into account everything from prescribing the most appropriate tests or therapies to addressing individual specialized needs of the patient. Pain management and palliative care for advanced and incurable stages of cancer are undertaken by a dedicated unit. The Centre also succeeded in getting down and formulating morphine sulphate with the help of then College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It also provides counseling for patients to overcome psychological problems following mastectomy and supplies breast prostheses.
A multi-user computer working in UNIX environment is employed for storing and retrieving of patient database. Suitable software has been-developed for data management by using relational data based management systems INGRES. Computerization of the outpatient department, patient data management, accounting, clinical research, pharmacy and stores were achieved. Most other departments are in the process of being fully computerized.
The centre has also focused on human resource development. Most of the faculty have given advanced training board. Facilities were given for participation in more than 400 national conferences, workshops and conferences. Several workshops were conducted in the Centre with participation by international experts in the past decade. The Centre has undertaken undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral training in all branches of oncology in collaboration with other acknowledged centres of academic and clinical excellence. Human resource development for all cancer control activities – medical, scientific and paramedical in the field of oncology are undertaken by the Centre. The RCC has one of the finest PhD programs in various areas of cancer research including tumor biology, genetics, immunology, cell and molecular biology, epidemiology and radiation physics. The RCC is a premier research centre of the University of Kerala and the Mahatma Gandhi University.
RCC has successfully transferred advanced technologies in therapy, research epidemiology and early cancer detection through collaboration with a number of international agencies and reputed institutions. Papers, numbering well over 1000, published by the Centre in international journals bear testimony to the excellence of the work done here. RCC also has a well stocked library streamlined to provide necessary cancer related information to clinicians, researchers, students, health planners and administrators.
The Centre has evolved policies and priorities to reach modern oncology facilities to the less privileged in the community like children and less affluent members by giving totally free chemotherapy and advanced diagnostic facilities like CT scan, isotope scanning etc. Nearly 60% patients receive free treatment and another 29 percent in the middle income group receive treatment at subsidised rates. Free chemotherapy is given to all children irrespective of family income. Adults with curable cancers also receive free treatment. During the last five years, drugs worth Rs.80 lakhs have been supplied free of cost to the low income group.
Annually more than 11,000 new cancer cases, more than 50,000 follow-up visits of old cases and more than 80,000 non-cancer patients for various investigations report at the Centre. During the last five years, there was a 50 percent increase in the registration of both cancer and non-cancer cases.
Apart from clinical and scientific achievements, the Centre has pioneered schemes to help the less privileged socio-economic groups. In 1986 the highly innovative ‘Cancer Care for Life’ (CCL) scheme was launched with the idea of generating a welfare fund to cancer patients. A person who invested Rs.101 (about US $ 6 at the time) in the scheme just once in his life, will get all the benefits of treatment, travel and other expenses during the time of treatment in case he happens to develop cancer Consequent upon the winding up of the CCL scheme of Rs.101/- per policy holder, a new CCL project of Rs.500/- per policy was launched during 1993. The corpus fund generated is an innovation in resource mobilization for developmental activities.
It was only in the fitness of things that the Government of Kerala unhesitatingly declared RCC a Science & Technology Centre of excellence in cancer research and treatment, and as a State research organization of the Ministry of Science & Technology of the Government of India.
Regional cancer centre Trivandrum is an autonomous institution sponsored by the Govt of India and the government of kerala. It is a 382-bedded hospital catering exclusively to cancer patients. Located within the pristine campus of the Medical College at Trivandrum in Kerala, India it has over the years emerged as the premier cancer institute in south India.
The Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram, was established in 1981.We are a comprehensive cancer centre catering to the population of the State of Kerala and the adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
From a modest beginning, the Regional Cancer Centre has evolved into an internationally recognized centre for conducting a wide range of cancer research and providing state-of-the-art facilities for cancer diagnosis, treatment, palliation and rehabilitation.
Every year nearly 13,000 new patients visit the clinics from all over South India and neighboring countries. Nearly 60% of these cancer patients receive primary care at the Hospital of which over 70% are treated almost free of any charges. Over 500 patients attend the OPD daily for medical advice, comprehensive care or for follow-up treatment.
The strategies for early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, pain relief and terminal care have been established in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach for a total cancer care programme.. At RCC, Evidence Based Medicine is the keystone of our endeavor. Apart from the patient care and service, clinical research programmes and randomized trials contribute increasingly to improved delivery of care and highest standards of work ethics.
Another important area of progress over the last few years has been radiological imaging techniques using ultrasound, CT Scanners, and more dynamic real time nuclear medicine scanning.
Pathology has progressed from basic histopathology to molecular pathology with emphasis on predictive assays for identifying the high-risk prognostic factors.
Supportive care in the form of total rehabilitation, and counselling of patients is widely recognised to be very important aspects of therapy. Excellent work has been carried out in areas of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology and medical social work.
RCC is a recognized training centre for cancer education and research by national and international organizations such as WHO, IAEA and UICC. RCC is a post-graduate teaching centre and is affiliated to National Board of Examinations.It runs MCh(Surgical Oncology)course. Every year about 400 students undergo training at the Centre in various medical and paramedical disciplines.
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
is a state-owned cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
care hospital and research centre, one among 26 such centres in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
operating under the 'National Cancer Control Programme' of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India).It was founded in 1981. RCC is located in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College campus. It was established in 1981 as an expansion of the Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy , radiation oncology, or radiotherapy , sometimes abbreviated to XRT or DXT, is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to control malignant cells.Radiation therapy is commonly applied to the cancerous tumor because of its ability to control...
/ Radiotherapy department of Medical College Trivandrum. It is a tertiary care centre for the managements of all types of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. The clinics are mainly on haematology, lymphoreticular, soft tissue, bone, head and neck, breast/CNS, gynaec/urinary, chest, gastro, paediatric oncology and thyroid.
Background
The RCC was established in 1981. It is one among 6 such centres (currently 26) in India. During the formation period the State Government transferred, a few departments of the Medical College,Thiruvananathapuram, which were primarily concerned with cancer care to the Regional Cancer Centre with a view to developing the same as a Centre of excellence, and also augmenting the teaching and research activities.
The Centre is now an autonomous scientific institution sponsored jointly by the Government of Kerala and the Government of India and receives financial assistance from both. It has been designated as a Science and Technology Centre in the health sector by the State Government. The Centre was thus created to meet the following objectives:
- Evolving a comprehensive cancer control programme for South-Western India.
- Offering state of the art facilities for diagnosis and assessment of cancer by histopathological, cytological, clinicopathological, biochemical, advanced imageology, endoscope, nuclear medicine and molecular diagnostics.
- Providing facilities for state of the art treatment and management of cancer by radiotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation medicine and immunotherapy.
- Establishing the necessary facilities for fundamental and clinical research relating to cancer. Providing an excellent palliative care service for advanced cancer patients.
- Creating the necessary academic atmosphere for undergraduate and post graduate training in all branches of oncology in collaboration with other acknowledged centres of academic and clinical excellence.
- Generating trained manpower for the region in the field of Oncology, both medical as well as Para-medical.
Realisation of the above objectives has meant a commitment going beyond the call of medicine. RCC has consistently laid emphasis on the often ignored fact that early detection of cancer should always go hand-in-hand with effective therapy if high cure rates are to be achieved. As a comprehensive cancer centre, RCC has been the major force and leader in cancer control activities in the region. To promote early cancer detection, the first Community Oncology division in India was established in RCC, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1985. With the planning and execution of Kerala State Cancer Control Programme undertaken by RCC, the centre has gained considerable experience in organizing and conducting community-oriented cancer control programmes.
For effective state of-the-art multidisciplinary therapy, a comprehensive diagnostic infrastructure is mandatory. RCC has one of the finest diagnostic setups in the country. The Cytopathology Division provides all specialized investigations in addition to conventional histopathology and cytology. The Image logy and Nuclear Medicine Divisions use state of the art diagnostic imaging technology to provide accurate diagnosis. Our clinics bring together in one setting all the experts needed to develop complete diagnosis and treatment plans. Each patient’s particular need determines the treatment and specialists involved. The plan takes into account everything from prescribing the most appropriate tests or therapies to addressing individual specialized needs of the patient. Pain management and palliative care for advanced and incurable stages of cancer are undertaken by a dedicated unit. The Centre also succeeded in getting down and formulating morphine sulphate with the help of then College of Pharmaceutical Sciences. It also provides counseling for patients to overcome psychological problems following mastectomy and supplies breast prostheses.
A multi-user computer working in UNIX environment is employed for storing and retrieving of patient database. Suitable software has been-developed for data management by using relational data based management systems INGRES. Computerization of the outpatient department, patient data management, accounting, clinical research, pharmacy and stores were achieved. Most other departments are in the process of being fully computerized.
The centre has also focused on human resource development. Most of the faculty have given advanced training board. Facilities were given for participation in more than 400 national conferences, workshops and conferences. Several workshops were conducted in the Centre with participation by international experts in the past decade. The Centre has undertaken undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral training in all branches of oncology in collaboration with other acknowledged centres of academic and clinical excellence. Human resource development for all cancer control activities – medical, scientific and paramedical in the field of oncology are undertaken by the Centre. The RCC has one of the finest PhD programs in various areas of cancer research including tumor biology, genetics, immunology, cell and molecular biology, epidemiology and radiation physics. The RCC is a premier research centre of the University of Kerala and the Mahatma Gandhi University.
RCC has successfully transferred advanced technologies in therapy, research epidemiology and early cancer detection through collaboration with a number of international agencies and reputed institutions. Papers, numbering well over 1000, published by the Centre in international journals bear testimony to the excellence of the work done here. RCC also has a well stocked library streamlined to provide necessary cancer related information to clinicians, researchers, students, health planners and administrators.
The Centre has evolved policies and priorities to reach modern oncology facilities to the less privileged in the community like children and less affluent members by giving totally free chemotherapy and advanced diagnostic facilities like CT scan, isotope scanning etc. Nearly 60% patients receive free treatment and another 29 percent in the middle income group receive treatment at subsidised rates. Free chemotherapy is given to all children irrespective of family income. Adults with curable cancers also receive free treatment. During the last five years, drugs worth Rs.80 lakhs have been supplied free of cost to the low income group.
Annually more than 11,000 new cancer cases, more than 50,000 follow-up visits of old cases and more than 80,000 non-cancer patients for various investigations report at the Centre. During the last five years, there was a 50 percent increase in the registration of both cancer and non-cancer cases.
Apart from clinical and scientific achievements, the Centre has pioneered schemes to help the less privileged socio-economic groups. In 1986 the highly innovative ‘Cancer Care for Life’ (CCL) scheme was launched with the idea of generating a welfare fund to cancer patients. A person who invested Rs.101 (about US $ 6 at the time) in the scheme just once in his life, will get all the benefits of treatment, travel and other expenses during the time of treatment in case he happens to develop cancer Consequent upon the winding up of the CCL scheme of Rs.101/- per policy holder, a new CCL project of Rs.500/- per policy was launched during 1993. The corpus fund generated is an innovation in resource mobilization for developmental activities.
It was only in the fitness of things that the Government of Kerala unhesitatingly declared RCC a Science & Technology Centre of excellence in cancer research and treatment, and as a State research organization of the Ministry of Science & Technology of the Government of India.
Regional cancer centre Trivandrum is an autonomous institution sponsored by the Govt of India and the government of kerala. It is a 382-bedded hospital catering exclusively to cancer patients. Located within the pristine campus of the Medical College at Trivandrum in Kerala, India it has over the years emerged as the premier cancer institute in south India.
The Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram, was established in 1981.We are a comprehensive cancer centre catering to the population of the State of Kerala and the adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
From a modest beginning, the Regional Cancer Centre has evolved into an internationally recognized centre for conducting a wide range of cancer research and providing state-of-the-art facilities for cancer diagnosis, treatment, palliation and rehabilitation.
Every year nearly 13,000 new patients visit the clinics from all over South India and neighboring countries. Nearly 60% of these cancer patients receive primary care at the Hospital of which over 70% are treated almost free of any charges. Over 500 patients attend the OPD daily for medical advice, comprehensive care or for follow-up treatment.
The strategies for early diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, pain relief and terminal care have been established in a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach for a total cancer care programme.. At RCC, Evidence Based Medicine is the keystone of our endeavor. Apart from the patient care and service, clinical research programmes and randomized trials contribute increasingly to improved delivery of care and highest standards of work ethics.
Another important area of progress over the last few years has been radiological imaging techniques using ultrasound, CT Scanners, and more dynamic real time nuclear medicine scanning.
Pathology has progressed from basic histopathology to molecular pathology with emphasis on predictive assays for identifying the high-risk prognostic factors.
Supportive care in the form of total rehabilitation, and counselling of patients is widely recognised to be very important aspects of therapy. Excellent work has been carried out in areas of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology and medical social work.
RCC is a recognized training centre for cancer education and research by national and international organizations such as WHO, IAEA and UICC. RCC is a post-graduate teaching centre and is affiliated to National Board of Examinations.It runs MCh(Surgical Oncology)course. Every year about 400 students undergo training at the Centre in various medical and paramedical disciplines.