Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Nov 26: The department of Surgical Oncology at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital (SMVDNSH) Katra performed one of the most complex and advanced cancer surgery in Gynae-oncology on a 50 years old female.
The 50 years old patient from Reasi was suffering from ovary cancer (stage 3) and surgery was performed by Consultant Oncosurgeon Dr Sandeep Kaul. After investigating, patient was found to be a case of cancer of the ovary (stage 3) for which the patient was initially given three cycles of chemotherapy and then planned for surgery.
Stage 3 cancer means that cancer has spread to the upper abdomen and only complex excision will help in improving the survival chances of the patient.
Dr Sandeep Kaul, Consultant Oncosurgeon – SMVDNSH said, “Radical surgery with complete removal of uterus, ovaries, lymphnodes, omentum and total peritonectomy was done in a surgery which lasted for more than 12 hours. Subsequently heated chemotherapy was infused through a special machine into the abdominal cavity for a period of 60 minutes. Heated chemotherapy selectively kills cancer cells. Surgery in stage 3 cancer ovary is sandwiched between chemotherapy. Doing surgery with HIPEC further improves the overall survival of the patient”. The lady had an uneventful recovery from this procedure and was discharged on the eighth day after surgery.
“Any female who presents with vague abdominal symptoms should undergo an ultrasonography of the abdomen and consult a specialist who may advise for a tumor marker, CA125 if deemed necessary”, informed Dr Sandeep Kaul.
The procedure, known as Cytoreductive surgery and Heated Intra-Peritoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC), was developed by Dr Sugarbaker in America for peritoneal surface malignancy and is only being done in India since 3-4 years. This procedure is the most advanced method of management of cancer of ovary, pseudomyxoma, peritoneii, mesothelioma and some types of colon cancer.
The hospital undertook this case as a personal challenge and arranged for all that was required to make sure this lady from a far flung economically backward area of the state received the most advanced treatment for her disease. The hospital management and shrine board arranged for the finances required to undergo this rare and complex procedure.