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Actor and Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) chairman Elias Kanchan will leave Dhaka for London on Wednesday to begin the next phase of his treatment for a brain tumour.
Kanchan is scheduled to depart on a 10am flight, according to his son Mirajul Moin Joy. His wife and son-in-law Ariful Islam Collins will accompany him on the trip.
He will not begin treatment immediately after arriving in London. He is expected to rest for about a week before undergoing a series of medical tests at Mount Vernon Hospital, including CT scans and MRI examinations. Doctors will determine the next course of treatment based on the test results.
During his stay, Kanchan will live with his daughter Ema Islam in Barking, East London. He has previously stayed there during earlier stages of his treatment.
Kanchan underwent surgery at a London hospital in August last year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Doctors were able to remove a significant portion of the tumour but could not remove it completely because of the risks involved.
He subsequently underwent a prolonged course of treatment, including three months of chemotherapy. He received more than 60 chemotherapy sessions over 12 weeks, with treatment administered five days a week.
Following chemotherapy, he underwent oral therapy. He has completed two three-month phases of the treatment.
According to his family, the treatment has produced encouraging results. Doctors are satisfied with his condition, and the tumour has reportedly reduced significantly in size.
However, because the tumour could not be completely removed and the scheduled chemotherapy and oral therapy phases have been completed, doctors will determine the next treatment strategy after reviewing his latest test results.
Kanchan returned to Bangladesh on August 3 after completing a previous phase of treatment in London. Since returning, he has spent time with family, friends and colleagues from the film industry. Among those who visited him were actors Alamgir, Misha Sawdagor, Shabnam, Anwara, Suchanda, Rozina, Champa and Mukti.
On August 7, he attended NISCHA’s 11th national conference at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. He is also scheduled to visit his ancestral home in Kishoreganj on Tuesday before leaving for London the following morning.
Kanchan has expressed optimism about his health ahead of the trip. On August 9, he said he was feeling somewhat better after returning home and was happy to meet relatives and well-wishers.
He has expressed hope of completing the next phase of treatment soon and returning to Bangladesh, while asking everyone to pray for his recovery.
His next treatment plan will be determined after doctors assess the results of the tests to be conducted in London.