59-year-old man suffering from stomach cancer gets new lease of life via robot-assisted surgery at Fortis Mohali: The Department of Surgical Oncology, Fortis Cancer Institute, Fortis Mohali, has achieved yet another medical feat by successfully treating a patient suffering from stomach cancer via Robot-assisted Distal Radical Gastrectomy (surgical procedure to remove part or all of the stomach) and D2 Lymphadenectomy (procedure where local lymph nodes are removed and examined for cancer cells).
The team of doctors led by Dr Jitender Rohila, Consultant, GI Surgical Oncology and Robotic Surgeon, Fortis Hospital Mohali, treated the 59-year-old patient recently.
The patient had been suffering from extreme weakness, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, significant weight loss and was facing digestion-related issues.
Medical examinations, including blood tests and CT scan, at another facility diagnosed that he was suffering from stomach cancer.
He met Dr Rohila at Fortis Hospital Mohali where a biopsy revealed that he was suffering from adenocarcinoma (a type of cancer that originates in the stomach). PET Scan was done which revealed stage 3 stomach cancer with local lymph nodes involvement , he was given 4 cycles chemotherapy to shrink the cancer and then planned for radical surgery.
The patient underwent Robot-assisted Distal Radical Gastrectomy during which all cancerous tumour along with local lymph nodes were removed. The procedure helps eliminate the cancer or prevents it from spreading to other parts of the body. The patient had a smooth post-operative recovery , started walking on day 2 of surgery ,and was discharged five days after the surgery on full oral diet. He has recovered fully and is leading a normal life today.
Discussing the case, Dr Rohila, said, “The case attains significance as such complex surgeries using robotic platform are only conducted at a few select hospitals across India such as Fortis Hospital Mohali. The successful intervention underscores the advanced capabilities and expertise available at Fortis Cancer Institute, where a multidisciplinary approach to treatment is prioritized.”
On the benefits of robotic surgery, Dr Rohila, said, “Robotic Surgery is the latest form of minimal invasive surgery, which provides a 3D view of the operative field via a special camera inserted into the body of the patient. Parts of the body which are difficult to reach with the human hand can be accessed through robot-assisted arms that can rotate 360 degrees. It allows a surgeon to remove the stomach tumor and local lymph nodes with precision, preserving maximum function of stomach. This allows patients to have a faster postoperative recovery with early resumption of oral diet.”
Fortis Cancer Institute is renowned for its comprehensive facilities catering to all complex gastrointestinal cancers. The facility also provides advanced treatment modalities for peritoneal surface cancers, including Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) and Pressurized Intra-Peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC).
These innovative techniques ensure targeted chemotherapy delivery during surgical procedures, maximizing treatment efficacy while minimizing side effects in cases with advanced abdominal cancers with peritoneal involvement.
