Saves life of patient suffering from advanced ovarian cancer

Mysore/Mysuru: The Oncology Department of Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru, added another feather to its medical achievements by successful curing an advanced ovarian cancer in a 40-year-old patient. The patient was saved by performing Cytoreductive surgery + Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (CRS+HIPEC), the latest treatment modality to treat advanced and complex cancer conditions.

Shoba Rani (name changed) was presented to the Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru, with abdominal pain since three weeks. On detailed evaluation, it was diagnosed that the patient has a large ovarian tumour with multiple cancer deposits in the abdomen. As the cancer was at an advanced stage and was spread across the abdomen, doctors realised that any routine modalities like surgical removal of the cancerous area or chemotherapy will have limited success. 

Hence, they suggested CRS+HIPEC, an advanced and complex surgery. In this treatment modality, firstly the cancer affected areas across the peritoneum (the lining layer of abdomen), uterus, both ovaries and part of large intestine are removed. 

The complex surgery also involves careful separation of cancer tissue from normal tissue. After the surgery, the HIPEC machine is connected into the abdomen and chemotherapy drug is given. The treatment was a 10-hour-long one. The treatment was successful.

“Some cancers like those located in the abdominal cavity are challenging to treat. At Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru, we not only have an expert team of doctors who can handle complex surgeries such as Cytoreduction surgery with HIPEC, we are even equipped with the latest diagnosing technologies making it easy for residents in an around the region,” said Dr. M.N. Ravi, Clinical Director and Senior Heart Surgeon, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru.

Elaborating about the procedure, Dr. K.R. Suhas, Consultant Surgical Oncologist & Robotic Surgeon, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysuru, said: “The complexity of the surgery starts from the selection of the surgery till the patient gets discharged, as problem can happen at any time. Another critical aspect in this treatment modality is that the chemotherapy is delivered at higher temperature for 90 minutes, maintaining normal body temperatures as well as balancing the third space loss is critical.”

While speaking on this occasion, Dr. H.M. Lokesh, Surgical Gastroenterologist, said, similarly, during the recovery there is high chance of fall in WBC (White Blood Cells) count, which can be catastrophic. “A major surgery like this can have pulmonary/ cardiac complications in the immediate post op period as well. As at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, such complex cases are handled using a comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach, we were able to do the surgery and cure the patient from the condition successfully,” he added.

The patient was discharged on the 8 days of the surgery and is now leading a near normal life.

 K.V. Kamath, Marketing Head, was present at the press meet.