Patna: Experts talked about the latest developments in cancer treatment at the Society Of Oncologists Conference (SOOCON), 2018, annual conference organised on Sunday.

During the two-day conference that was divided into several sessions, at least 20 oncopathologists, oncosurgeons, oncologists and doctors having allied specialities learned about the new techniques, studies and research in the field of oncology, a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and cure of cancer-related diseases be it breast, lung, colo-rectal or blood cancer and also about surgery, radiation and drugs.

The programme was organised by AIIMS, Patna, and the Association of Breast Surgeons of India. Nearly 250 doctors, students and faculty members from well-known medical institutions of the country and Bihar took part.

Dr Rahul Bhargava, haematologist from Fortis Hospital, said: "With the growing complexity of diseases, technology-driven medical treatment is essential. An oncology centre is incomplete without a bone marrow transplant facility. One-hundred days are crucial in transplant cases and the doctors should be extremely vigilant when dealing with such cases. Also every state should start a bone marrow transplant facility in all medical facilities dealing with cancer."

Dr Arvind Kumar of the oncology department at AIIMS-Patna gave a presentation on management of neutropenic fever. He advised a three-pronged method comprising examination, investigation and treatment and also directed doctors for hand hygiene to prevent patients from infections.

Dr Pritanjali Singh, the organising secretary, said: "The objective of the event was to enable doctors and medical institutions to learn from each other's knowledge and latest techniques. We have given a special insight on GI tumours, lung cancer and blood cancer so that the doctors would upgrade their knowledge which could benefit people suffering from such diseases."