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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 one table(Tuesday)- third floor 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: Monday/ Thursday (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with MDT Meeting at 2.p.m. (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.
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’
As Co-PI and Co-Investigator
The following project proposals have been submitted to DBT for funding under DBT Twinning Project NER along with other partner organizations.
- Establishment of a network of biorepositories in North Eastern Region for translational cancer medicine- Consortium led by Tata Trusts Cancer Program.
- Establishment of Molecular Diagnostics, Pathology and Translational Medicine in the North East region- Consortium led by Tata Trusts Cancer Program.
- Training physician assistants in clinical care and laboratory technology- Consortium led by Tata Trusts Cancer Program.
- Use of advanced technologies at point of care (POC) to supplement early detection of Cervical Cancer in North East Region (NER)- Consortium led by Tata Trusts Cancer Program.
- Use of advanced technology at point of care for early detection of oral cancer in North East Region- Consortium led by Tata Trusts Cancer Program.
- Using technology and interpersonal communication to raise cancer awareness in North Eastern Region- Consortium led by Tata Trusts Cancer Program.
- Study of combinatorial therapy by ERRβ overexpression followed by Artemisinin treatment in breast cancer-Department of Zoology, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong
- Comprehensive genome characterization of head and neck cancer from North East India: moving towards personalised therapy- Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Takyelpat, Institutional Area, Imphal -795001, Manipur
- Training the trainers on “Awareness about cancer prevention and Screening for common cancers in the states of Meghalaya and Karnataka”-Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Udupi, Karnataka.
- Molecular profile of Breast Cancer patients- AIIMS, New Delhi.
- “Role of Artificial Neural Networks in assisting radiologists for RECIST evaluation”. Collaboration with faculty from NIT, Shillong. Project is in initial stages. This is planned as a Ph.D. thesis for a student from NIT, Shillong.
- “Role of Biomarkers in predicting response to Chemotherapy”. Collaboration with faculty from Department of Biochemistry, NEHU, Shillong.
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 set up speciality clinic for Esophageal cancer.
To set up Central Venous Access Clinic.
To initiate research on cancers with high prevalence in this region.
To establish the department as a centre of excellence for cancer care in Northeast India.
To start M.Ch.(Surgical Oncology) program and other fellowships/training programmes. |
