Cancer
Surgical Oncology
Curative cancer surgery — minimally invasive, robotic and complex resections.
Introduction
Causes
- Cancer cells arise from accumulated genetic mutations, influenced by genetics, environment and lifestyle
- Tobacco and alcohol — major drivers of head-and-neck and oesophageal cancer
- Hepatitis B and C, and chronic gastric infection (H. pylori)
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Family history and inherited cancer syndromes
- Hormonal factors in breast and gynaecological cancers
Risk Factors
- Older age
- Smoking and tobacco chewing
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Obesity and sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of cancer
- Hepatitis B / C, HPV infection
- Occupational exposure to carcinogens
Symptoms
- An unexplained lump anywhere in the body
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- Difficulty swallowing or persistent indigestion
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent cough or hoarseness
- A non-healing ulcer or sore
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- A change in an existing mole
When to Consult a Doctor
Any of the symptoms above persisting more than a few weeks warrants medical evaluation. If imaging or biopsy elsewhere has suggested cancer, a second opinion from a surgical oncologist before treatment is invaluable — it confirms the staging, refines the treatment plan and ensures that the first treatment given is the right one. Surgery for cancer is best performed by a dedicated oncology team in a high-volume centre.
Diagnosis
- Detailed clinical examination
- Imaging — ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET-CT depending on tumour
- Endoscopy with biopsy for gastrointestinal and head-and-neck tumours
- Image-guided core biopsy by an experienced radiologist
- Immunohistochemistry and molecular profiling on biopsy tissue
- Multidisciplinary tumour board discussion
- Anaesthetic and nutritional assessment
Treatment Options
Robotic Cancer Surgery
Da Vinci-assisted resections for prostate, kidney, rectal, gynaecological and head-and-neck cancers — precise, minimally invasive, faster recovery.
Laparoscopic GI Oncology
Keyhole resections for stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas and liver tumours.
Breast Conservation Surgery
Removal of the tumour with healthy margin, preserving the rest of the breast, followed by radiotherapy.
Oncoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Aesthetic reconstruction with implants or autologous tissue after mastectomy.
Head and Neck Oncology
Resection and reconstruction for oral, throat, thyroid and salivary gland cancers, often combined with neck dissection.
Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC
Removal of peritoneal disease combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy for selected ovarian, colorectal and appendiceal cancers.
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
Targeted sampling of the first draining nodes to avoid unnecessary lymph-node clearance.
Treatment Procedure
Cancer surgery is planned individually based on tumour type, location, stage and patient fitness. Most operations begin with a fresh imaging review and discussion of the surgical plan. Under general anaesthesia, the tumour is accessed through a laparoscopic, robotic or open approach, removed with adequate margins and the relevant lymph nodes are dissected. Reconstruction follows where appropriate — anastomosis of bowel, breast reconstruction, microvascular tissue transfer for head-and-neck defects. Specimens are examined intra-operatively where margin status is critical. Hospital stay ranges from 2 days for breast conservation to 7–14 days for complex GI resections.
Benefits of Treatment
- Best chance of cure for most solid tumours
- Definitive pathological staging that guides adjuvant therapy
- Symptom relief — bleeding, obstruction, pain
- Faster recovery and smaller scars with minimally invasive techniques
- Preservation of organ function and cosmesis where possible
- Coordinated, single-team cancer care
Recovery and Aftercare
Enhanced recovery protocols have reduced hospital stays and complications dramatically. Most patients begin sips of water within hours of surgery, walk on day one and progress to a normal diet within a few days. Drains are removed as output settles. Pain is controlled with multi-modal analgesia, often avoiding opioids. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation begins four to eight weeks later, depending on healing. Return to work varies — two to three weeks after breast conservation, six to eight weeks after major GI surgery. Long-term surveillance is part of every cancer plan.
Possible Risks and Complications
What to be aware of
- Bleeding requiring transfusion
- Infection — wound, urinary, chest
- Anastomotic leak after bowel resection (1–5%)
- Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- Lymphoedema after lymph-node dissection
- Specific organ-related risks (e.g. anastomotic stricture)
- Recurrence despite optimal surgery
Prevention Tips
- Stop tobacco in all forms
- Limit alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle
- Vaccinate against HPV and Hepatitis B
- Attend recommended screening — mammography, cervical screening, colonoscopy
- Consider genetic counselling if you have a strong family history
- Treat precancerous lesions early
Why Choose Medaura
Medaura connects you with surgeons and physicians who have trained at India’s top medical institutions and continue to publish, teach and innovate in their fields. Every recommendation we make is grounded in current international guidelines and our doctors’ direct clinical experience. We coordinate appointments, second opinions, diagnostic workups, financial estimates and travel logistics for patients from across India and abroad — so you can focus on getting better, not on navigating a fragmented healthcare system.
Senior consultants
15+ years of sub-specialty experience.
Transparent pricing
Written estimates, no hidden charges.
Rapid recovery
Modern, audited recovery pathways.
Book this treatment
Request a Consultation
A coordinator responds within one business day with next steps, costs and timeline.
Related Treatments
Personalised chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Precision radiation therapy with IMRT, VMAT, SBRT and brachytherapy.
Advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery for digestive disorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find Answers to Your Healthcare Questions
Get quick, reliable information about treatments, appointments, services, and patient care.
Is robotic surgery better than open surgery for cancer?
For appropriate indications, robotic surgery offers equivalent oncological outcomes with smaller incisions, less blood loss and faster recovery. Not every tumour is suited to a robotic approach — your surgeon will recommend the best option for your specific cancer.
Should I get chemotherapy before or after surgery?
It depends on the tumour. For many locally advanced cancers, chemotherapy is given first (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumour and improve resectability. For others, surgery comes first.
Will I need a colostomy or stoma?
Most modern rectal and colon surgery preserves the natural pathway. Stomas are needed only in specific situations and are often temporary.
How is breast conservation different from mastectomy?
In breast conservation, the tumour is removed with a margin while preserving the rest of the breast; radiation follows. Long-term survival is equivalent to mastectomy in suitable cases.
