Chennai: Unable to receive the required treatment in Seychelles, 53-year-old Richebert Tirant arrived in Chennai to be treated for the extensive Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Oral Cancer). Three months of treatment resulted in the successful rehabilitation of his lower jaw and his complete recovery. He finally bid adieu to the country on Tuesday night.
According to reports, in 2012, 77,003 cases of oral cancer were reported in India, of which, eight oral cancer patients per lakh general population were reported in Chennai alone.
However, it has been seen that more than half these patients die of the disease, because they present late.
Richebert, a chronic smoker had no idea that his addiction would bring him to India for treatment.
Following his wife Annethe’s constant nagging, Richebert approached a doctor. He was referred to another hospital in South Africa itself where he was detected with stage two cancer in 2011.
The doctors referred him to Maxillofacial surgeon S.M.Balaji at Balaji Dental
and Craniofacial Hospital here. Oral cancer is a devastating disease that is often related to tobacco usage.
“Though there are several recent advances in this field, only a slight rise in the annual survival rate is seen,” he said, adding, “Today, this treatment is still confined to laboratory studies and clinical trials in a few centres across the world.
We used the Transport Distraction method to form a new bone using his existing healthy jaw bone, he said.”
“I have conquered this disease and I am finally going home a new person,” said Richebert incoherently.
