Cancer Patient Gets New Lease of Life with Navya. Navya, a clinical informatics company, allows patients to upload their reports and get a response from world renowned experts within 24 hours.
Mr. Das, resident of Hooghly, complained of throat pain and globus pharyngeus (the sensation of having something stuck in the throat). A checkup at the local ENT physician caused panic amongst family members, as he suspected carcinoma (cancer). He was then referred to a Superspeciality Hospital in Kolkata where the doctors recommended surgery post examination. The histopathogy report confirmed their worst fears. Mr. Das was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) (a type of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma). PET CT scan done as part of staging, confirmed Stage II – DLBCL. Chemotherapy with RCHOP regimen (a standard lymphoma regimen) was performed. After completing 6 cycles of chemotherapy, the PET scan still showed partial response.
An expert opinion became extremely imminent at this stage as the family members were clueless on the further line of treatment. Around this time, the family read about Navya in the newspapers. Unsure of what the next line of treatment should be, they decided to contact Navya for an expert opinion and registered at uploaded all the medical reports, seeking to know ‘what next’.
Navya, a clinical informatics company, founded in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) and National Cancer Grid (NCG), provides online expert opinions to cancer patients. This service allows patients to upload their reports and get a response from world renowned experts within 24 hours. Anyone can register on Navya and receive an expert opinion from the comfort of their home. Since 2015, Navya’s Online Expert Opinion Service has been used by over 35,000 patients from 68 countries.
TMC NCG experts recommended Mr. Das to complete 6 cycles of Rituximab, Involved Field Radiation Therapy (IFRT), followed by a repeat PET CT scan 3 months after completion of radiation therapy. Mr. Das took the Navya report to his treating oncologists, completed the remaining cycles of chemotherapy; and the radiation therapy. Currently, he is on observation and has resumed his work routine, and is capable of performing all his daily chores! This case shows how Navya eased the case and the family was totally relieved of stress for further line of treatment. It also proves how important is an expert opinion when it comes to cancer care as cancer decisions are complex and often involves several organs and types of treatments.
“The Navya experience was excellent, we received a quick expert response as well as a thorough telephonic discussion, which helped us proceed with the treatment in Kolkata”, states Rahul, nephew of Mr. Das.
Padma Shri Dr. Rajendra Badwe Director, Tata Memorial Centre says, “There are a few hundred expert oncologists in India, mostly concentrated in a few metropolitan cities, but the number of cancer patients in need of expert treatment decisions is in the millions. Cutting through boundaries, and making expert cancer care accessible to one and all is TMC’s constant aim, and with Navya we achieve this.”
Urging family members of cancer patients, Gitika Srivastava, Founder of Navya, shares her personal viewpoint: “Most people who have had any experience with cancer are aware of Tata Memorial Centre as one of the largest tertiary care expert centers in the world. However not everyone from far flung areas can come to Mumbai or is aware of the significance of a proper choice in treatment to a change in outcomes. Given the cases we have seen, we would urge everyone to get an expert opinion online at navya.care. You can be assured that the opinion rests on the experience of world renowned cancer experts and follows evidence based protocols best suited to your loved one’s specific case.”
