New Delhi: Star Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh, who is undergoing treatment for cancer in the United States, is expected to be back on the field by May, said oncologists at the Max Healthcare here on Monday. Yuvraj has resorted to chemotherapy to treat the malignant tumor found in between his lungs.
Dr Nitesh Rohatgi, a senior consultant of oncology in Max Healthcare and involved in Yuvraj’s treatment, is confident of his faster recovery. “The kind of cancer Yuvraj is suffering from is a rare one and is 95 percent curable and would not affect his playing career,” said Dr Rohatgi.
The medical term for the cancer is extragonadal seminoma and forms less than 1 percent of cancer on the whole and his doctors stressed on the point that it is not a lung cancer with high curable rate.
Yuvraj, who had this tumor since the World Cup, came to know about its malignancy only early this year. The Chandigarh player who does not need to go for any form of surgery as the cancer did not originate out of his testicles has already undergone two chemo doses with the first being on 25th January and would soon begin his third of his nine weeks long chemotherapy.
Max was not involved with Yuvraj’s treatment and came in association with him later. Speculation that Yuvraj’s lifestyle is the possible reason for this ailment however was denied by the Head of Oncology Department, Max Healthcare Dr Anupama Hooda. “This is something which can happen to anyone irrespective of whatever lifestyle they lead,” said Dr Anupama.
Dr Anupama also stressed on the fact that this is the only cancer which the doctors can confidently say that they could cure it in maximum of cases. She also asserted that side effects vary and mostly is for six weeks.
Yuvraj who could not take the effect of the initial chemo doses is coming in terms with it and is feeling much stronger mentally. He had been jogging, playing videogames and read on Lance Armstrong. Yuvraj is showing commitment to his therapy and recovery.
Yuvraj, who was awarded the player of the tournament in last year’s Cricket World Cup, has not taken to the field since November where he last participated in two Test matches out of three against West Indies at home.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News
