Cancer patients get a new lease of life through most advanced treatment options at Fortis Hospital Mohali

CRS HIPEC Surgery & Immunotherapy have transformed treatment of various cancers

Jammu, March 27, 2023:( AVAJ APKI NEWS )

The Department of Oncology, Fortis Cancer Institute at Fortis Hospital Mohali, has revolutionized the treatment of cancers wherein patients have been successfully treated through cutting-edge technology.

Dr Jitender Rohila, Consultant, Surgical Oncology and Robot-aided Surgery, Fortis Hospital Mohali, recently treated a 42-year-old woman suffering from Pseudomyxoma Peritonei (PMP) cancer through Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and HIPEC Surgery (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy). The case attains significance as PMP cancer is extremely rare with an incidence rate of approximately 1-2 per million a year. CRS HIPEC has been established as the gold standard surgical treatment for PMP cancer.

PMP is a cancer of the abdomen that originates in the appendix and causes production of mucin, a jelly-like substance in the peritoneum (inner lining of abdomen). The Patient had abdominal swelling, changes in bowel habits, hernia and loss of appetite. She had also undergone a surgery for suspected ovarian cancer (uterus, both ovaries and appendix had been removed) three months ago at another hospital. Unable to get relief, she approached Dr Rohila where medical examination revealed a mucinous tumour with origin in the ovary or appendix, while the CT scan showed mucin (jelly-like substance abdomen), suggestive of PMP cancer.

Following discussions with the Tumour Board, Dr Rohila conducted CRS and HIPEC Surgery on the Patient. Discussing the case, Dr Rohila, added, “Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) includes surgical removal of all other diseases from the abdomen while HIPEC Surgery involves pumping of heated chemotherapy into the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity to remove the cancer cells.”

The Patient was discharged 10 days after the surgery and is leading a normal life today.

Dr Ketan Dang, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Fortis Mohali, recently saved the life of a 69-year-old patient suffering from twin cancers — multiple myeloma and breast cancer — severe COVID-19 infection, and had survived a cardiac arrest.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells that damages the bones and kidneys, and lowers the haemoglobin level and immunity. The condition can often lead to death without treatment. Multiple myeloma is known for relapses (when symptoms decrease or disappear, and then appear again).

The Patient had undergone chemotherapy and was in remission soon after. She again relapsed and was treated with modern oral targeted agents along with chemotherapy. The Patient was in remission again and had also developed severe COVID-19 infection which was treated successfully. She was also diagnosed with breast cancer but it had not spread to the other organs. Dr Dang along with the oncology team treated the Patient for both multiple myeloma and breast cancer. “The Patient was administered chemotherapy but during the course of treatment, she suffered a cardiac arrest. However, she was saved by the efficient ICU team. Further, the Patient was successfully operated for breast cancer and subsequently given Immunotherapy,” added Dr Dang. Dr Dang said the Patient had recovered fully and was leading a normal life today.

Immunotherapy is the latest treatment for cancer which either helps strengthen the immune system to destroy the cancerous cells in the body or directly attacks a specific target on cancer cells. This involves administration of drugs through the intravenous route (IV) and this helps stop the disease from progressing further.