Hyderabad: A complaint regarding unethical and improper cancer treatment against Terry’s Cancer Centre was filed with the State Human Rights Commission on Wednesday. Mr Abdul Rehman Bin Hyder, 46, from Erakunta Barkas was allegedly given chaemotherapy despite being diagnosed with end-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip and mandible. Due to the alleged aggressive treatment given in January, he is now completely bed-ridden.
Angry family members, along with the Helping Hand Foundation, have registered a complaint (no. 976/2016) with SHRC. They also filed a complaint with the Telangana Medical Council. Mr Hyder, an autorickshaw driver, was diagnosed with carcinoma in April 2015. The family went to Global Hospitals after two months in June 2015 and oncologist Dr Ravi Kumar referred the case for surgical options.
The family didn’t take immediate action and approached a higher centre only in September 2015 where the doctors classified it as too risky for surgery. Mr Jehangir Hyder, the patient’s brother-in-law said, “We were quoted Rs 10 lakh for the treatment. The amount deterred us.”
In the meantime, Mr Hyder developed severe pain and was in constant distress. Mr Jehangir Hyder said, “Abdul was in constant pain and had given up driving the auto-rickshaw. We approached Basvatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and the doctors told us that the disease had advanced significantly and only palliative care should be given.” His medical examination and scans showed that the soft tissue in bucal mucosa was extensively damaged.
Mr Hyder’s wife, Fatema Rehman said, “We saw the advertisements of Dr A.Q. Terry on local television claiming that advanced and end-stage cancers could be cured. Due to this reason, we approached the centre and chaemotherapy was given. The treatment cost us approximately Rs 80,000, but after that he has become completely bed-ridden.”
Dr Terry said, “I gave only palliative care of morphine to reduce the pain. The patient is in the end-stage and curative care can’t be offered. The family insisted on curative options but was told that it was not possible.”
What is squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip is mostly found in men. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun due to outdoor occupations is one of the major reasons for squamous cell carcinoma of the lips.
