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Historically, surgery was the only treatment modality for cancer. However, over the past century, other modalities have emerged, which act as an adjunct to surgery, and in some organs, has been able to offer an alternative to surgery. No longer is surgery the only mode of treatment for solid tumors, with multimodal therapy becoming the standard of care for most cancers.
A surgical oncologist, in addition to being trained in performing surgeries for removing cancer, understands the biology and natural history of the disease as well as the contributions made by other disciplines to the cancer patients’ treatment. It is at this point that the surgeon becomes a surgical oncologist. A surgical oncologist is trained to treat all tumors of the body except brain tumors, which is handled by neurosurgeons.
The Surgical Oncology Department of NEIGRIHMS was started in June 2016, and has strived to provide ‘Evidence Based Management’ of all cancers with the available resources. This was evident with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings, which was started on June 14th, 2016 and is being regularly held every Tuesday and Friday at 2:00 p.m. in the department. The experts from Surgical/Medical/Radiation Oncology, along with Pathologists and Radiologists regularly meet to discuss the management aspects of each and every patient attending the Oncology outpatient departments. Other specialists are invited as and when required. Members of the Palliative Care team also attend the MDT meetings, so as to ensure continuum of care. |
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Faculty Room- R.No. 212, 2nd Floor Main OPD Block
OPD Consultation Room- Cubicle No. 212-C.
Examination Room- Cubicle No. 212-B
Procedure Room- R.No. 214, 2nd Floor Main OPD Block
Operation Theatre - Weekly 4 tables (days Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) fourth floor Modular OT Complex. However, surgeries are performed in collaboration with other departments on other days.
Ward/Beds- The department shares inpatient facilities with the other oncological specialities, thereby ensuring comprehensive care.
OT Instruments- Ultrasonic Energy Device procured. General and organ system specific Instrument sets are available. 3D Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy sets are to be available soon.
Consumables- Most surgical consumables like sutures, staplers, drugs, parenteral nutrition, etc. have been indented and made available to the patients. Those not available in the store are stocked in Amrit Pharmacy and the Hospital Pharmacy. |
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Main OPD days: Everyday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with MDT Meeting at 2.p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (However, new cases will be seen on all days (Monday to Saturday)
Surgical procedures are performed for cancers of the Gastrointestinal system (Esophagus, Stomach, Colon, Rectum and other parts of the intestines, Liver, Pancreas and biliary tract); Head and Neck Cancer (oral cavity, larynx and pharynx, thyroid, salivary gland, paranasal sinus tumors, etc); Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Mediastinal tumors, Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors; Urological Cancers( Urinary Bladder, Kidney, Prostate and Testis); Gynaecological Cancers (Ovary, Endometrium, Cervix, Vulva) and all Paediatric Solid Tumors. An effort is made to offer minimally invasive approaches(laparoscopy/Video Assisted Thoracoscopy) wherever applicable/possible.
HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) is administered to patients when indicated.
An effort is made to offer minimally invasive approaches(laparoscopy/Video Assisted Thoracoscopy) wherever applicable/possible.
Reconstructive procedures are carried out as required. Breast Conservative Therapy, including Oncoplastic procedures are offered to all patients. Limb Salvage procedures are performed for extremity sarcoma.
Vascular Access Devices are inserted for aiding ease of administering chemotherapy, like Chemoport, Hickmann Catheters,etc., especially for paediatric patients and breast cancer patients.
Emergency Oncological services are provided to patients presenting to Casualty and also patients referred from other services. Also intraoperative assistance is provided to other specialities, when needed.
Medical records of the patients are maintained separately in the department to ensure ease of management and follow up.
Academic Activities
Academic topic discussion is held every Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m., with Journal Club, jointly with the Pathology department, every first Thursday(8 a.m.) of the month.
Bedside clinical teaching for all residents on all days(Monday to Saturday).
The MDT meeting discussions are a platform for rich discussions which benefit all who attend, especially the resident doctors.
Classes (topics as selected after due discussion with College of Nursing) are conducted for B.Sc. nursing students.
Classes for medical students as part of integrated teaching program.
Research
Ongoing Studies
- ‘Consortium for research on gall bladder cancer’. A multicentric Gall Bladder cancer Registry project initiated by National Cancer Grid- Tata Memorial Centre.
- .“A Phase III Randomized Controlled study of Inj. Proluton (Hydroxyprogesterone caproate) as single dose preoperative therapy in patients with high risk operable breast cancer.” A multicentric trial initiated by the National Cancer Grid and Tata Memorial Hospital. Patients are currently being accrued at our centre.
- .“Randomized controlled trial to assess blockade of voltage gated sodium channels during surgery in operable breast cancer”. A multicentric trial initiated by the National Cancer Grid and Tata Memorial Hospital. Accrual is completed, patients are being followed up.
- “Epidemiology of patients treated by Oncology Multidisciplinary Team, NEIGRIHMS”. . A retrospective study- initial results presented at NEIGRIHMS Annual Day Paper Presentation. A publication will follow with more patient data added.
- “Knowledge, Attitude, Practice of Kwai users”. A questionnaire is being developed for this short, cross-sectional study. Data is being collected.
- ““Barriers to seeking treatment among esophageal cancer patients in North East India: A Cross Sectional Study”. ”. Project ongoing.
- ‘Hospital Based Cancer Registry(HBCR) project’, has been approved by NCDIR-ICMR, Bengaluru.
- ‘Quality and outcomes in global cancer surgery’. International, Multicentric study. Data accrual is done
Planned Studies
- “Risk factors for Esophageal cancer in Northeast India: A Case-Control Study”. Protocol was written at CReDO Workshop(International Protocol Development Workshop). This has been planned as a multi-centric study involving Civil Hospital, Shillong and Cachar Cancer Centre, Silchar. SAC/IEC approval obtained, funding to be received from National Cancer Grid Shortly.
- “Role of liquid biopsy in diagnosis and disease monitoring of non-small cell lung cancer”.This project has been planned as a research study which would help to augment patient care by providing testing facilities for biomarkers which would enable treatment with targeted therapy. Project has been submitted to DBT for funding under ‘DBT Twinning Project NER’
Funded Projects
- Risk factors for Esophageal cancer in Northeast India: A Case-Control Study”.. Study conceived and proposed from NEIGRIHMS as a multi-centric study involving Civil Hospital, Shillong and Cachar Cancer Centre, Silchar. Funding (approx... Rs. 38 Lakh) has been awarded from National Cancer Grid. Project completed.
- To establish a ready network of clinical trial units across the National Cancer Grid to promote multi-centric collaborative research in the field of drug and device development, funded by BIRAC DBT) - (Total budget for NEIGRIHMS Rs. 1.36 crore) Project ongoing. Multicentric project led by Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
Non-Funded Projects
- “Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by Surgery versus Surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable Gastric Adenocarcinoma-Phase 3 Multicentric Randomized Controlled trial (NAGA study)” under Department of Health Research. Multicentric RCT led by JIPMER, Puducherry. Project ongoing from October 2022. Total budget Rs.2.13 Cr(for NEIGRIHMS –no funding at present)
- A Phase III Randomized Controlled study of Inj. Proluton (Hydroxyprogesteronecaproate) as single dose preoperative therapy in patients with high risk operable breast cancer study completed. Manuscript under preparation.
- Consortium for Research on Gall Bladder Cancer- Multicentric study initiated by National Cancer Grid. Study ongoing
- Pattern of Microbial Dysbiosis in Gastric Cancer- Multicentric study, funding approved by ICMR; Project completed. Manuscript under preparation.
- Out of Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) for Super Speciality Surgical Treatment at a public sector tertiary hospital in Northeast India. Results presented at conference; manuscript being prepared conference; manuscript being prepared
Co-Investigator
- Expresssion of microRNA-21 and 122 in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and their potential role in diagnosis-a case control study. Funded by ICMR. Grant of Rs.8.5 Lakh.
Non-Funded Projects
- “Barriers to seeking treatment among esophageal cancer patients in North East India: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Project completed. Results presented at conferences. Manuscript being prepared.
- “Prospective database of Esophageal and Gastric Cancer”.
- “Opportunistic screening for common malignancies in the Northeast India at a tertiary healthcare facility”.
- “Feasibility and efficacy of ASSIST linked Brief Intervention in Areca Nut addiction”
- “A Situational Analysis of Cancer Treatment Facilities across Northeast India”. – Data collection over. Manuscript under preparation.
- “An implementation research to catalyse early detection, referral and management of oral, breast and cervical cancers through the National Program for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya”
- “Barriers to availing Ayushman Bharat and other Publicly Funded Health Insurance(PFHI) Schemes in a Tertiary Care Centre in North-East India”.
Thesis/Dissertation Guide:
- “Analysis of p53, Her2Neu and PDL1 in Gastric and gastroesophageal junction carcinoma”- Co-guide for dissertation of M.D. Pathology Student.
- “Knowledge of Undergraduate students regarding Oral Cancer and its prevention”- Co-guide for this research project undertaken by B.Sc. Nursing Students.
Future Plans
To initiate research on cancers with high prevalence in this region.
To establish the department as a centre of excellence for Esophageal cancer care in Northeast India.
To start M.Ch.(Surgical Oncology) program and other fellowships/training programmes.
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