Early detection gives young cancer patient quicker path to treatment

Anas Karaki at Hamad Medical Corporation’s PET CT Centre.

The case of Anas Karaki shows how early detection of cancer can save lives as it enables doctors to confine the spread of the disease and improves the effectiveness of treatment.

When 19-year-old Karaki, an international student in Qatar, first noticed swollen masses around the lower part of his neck in August 2012, he grew alarmed.

He wasted no time in seeking the services of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). “I first approached a doctor at Rumailah Hospital, who examined me and referred me to another doctor to undergo a biopsy in order to determine the cause of the swelling,” Karaki recalled.

The biopsy, which is the removal and examination of some tissue to discover the presence, cause or extent of a disease, revealed that he had Hodgkin’s lymphoma (previously known as Hodgkin’s disease), a cancer of the lymphatic system that originates from white blood cells.

Unsure whether to tell his family at this point, Karaki decided to proceed with his cancer treatment at the National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), where he was treated by Dr Halima El-Omri, senior consultant in haematology and bone marrow transplantation.

After the initial scans - including a PET CT scan, the pulmonary function test and different blood tests - were complete, Karaki was told that he needed chemotherapy.

“The moment doctors told me that I needed chemotherapy was terrifying because I realised this kind of medication usually causes side-effects. Although it heals cancer, it can sometimes lead to hair loss and severe nausea,” he said. “I have to admit that I was very lucky to have a doctor who was so compassionate; she was very patient with me as she understood my fears.

“She told me what to expect regarding the treatment, and also talked about a lot of success stories of patients who survived cancer, which was very reassuring.”

At the beginning of March last year, Karaki’s scans were showing that he was clear of the cancer. However, in July, Karaki had a reoccurrence. He remembers being told that the cause of the relapse was the nature of the cancer, which was very aggressive.

“This was a very tough time for me but I kept reminding myself that it was a test from God - I knew I had to continue to fight it,” he said.

Karaki received chemotherapy for the second time at NCCCR and later underwent a bone marrow transplant in Jordan. Upon his return, he received cancer radiation treatment at NCCCR, another of the proven treatments for cancer. The treatment involves the use of advanced machines that enable physicians to confirm and treat the exact tumour position within the patient’s body through focused images.

Over the course of the last few months, Karaki has had regular follow-up sessions at NCCCR. His latest scans have shown that he has managed to battle the disease successfully and is completely free of cancer now.

“I couldn’t have managed to get through this alone and I have to thank all of my doctors, nurses and technicians at HMC. The organisation really does provide its patients with unprejudiced healthcare, regardless of their nationality or profession. It also protects my medical and human rights; it is a great healthcare organisation in this part of the world,” Karaki said. “I am satisfied to know that if the cancer came back, I would be able to get excellent medical help and treatment in Qatar and this makes me feel much less worried.”