A 14-year-old patient was suffering from Mucoepedermoid Carcinoma and the other was 53-year-old suffering from colon cancer
Apollo Proton Cancer Centre performed two unique robotic-assisted surgeries to save the lives of Bangladeshi patients suffering from cancer. Robot-assisted surgery integrates advanced computer technology with the experience of skilled surgeons to help the patient in smoother and faster recovery from major operations, reduce instances of infections, and patient’s length of stay at the facility.
The first case to be witnessed in paediatric was of low-grade Mucoepedermoid Carcinoma in the lower end of the trachea in a 14-year-old boy. He was presented with acute respiratory distress and was diagnosed with a tracheal tumour in Bangladesh, which was completely blocking the right main stem bronchus. At Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, under the care of a Surgical Oncologist (Thoracic) and robotic surgeon, post evaluation with bronchoscopy, results showed a residual tumour on the right anterolateral wall of the trachea about 2 cm from the carina. To treat the disease, he underwent robotic-assisted tracheal resection and reconstruction plus comprehensive mediastinal nodal dissection. Postoperatively, he recovered steadily without any complication and post-op bronchoscopy showed complete healing of the surgical site of the trachea.
A 53-year-old gentleman complained of bleeding per rectum with a haemoglobin of four due to colon cancer. While discussing the case, it was discovered that he had a history of Myocardial Infarction (heart attack) and had an angioplasty done recently in March 2022 with an ejection fraction of only 35 per cent. A thorough analysis showcased the case of thyroid cancer. The patient’s current condition posed a high risk because of his cardiac status and dual malignancy. After cardiology consultation and anaesthesia consultation, he was treated with Robotic Radical Right Hemicolecotmy and conventional right Hemithyoidectomy by the Surgical Oncologist & Robotic Surgeon team.
A surgical oncologist and robotic surgeon from Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said, “I am delighted with the recovery of the 53-year-old and glad that our efforts to recover dual cancers were successful. The decision to perform robotic surgery helped with early recovery and less blood loss. At APCC, high-risk cases are managed in a specialised tertiary centre with excellent facilities. The advanced surgical
techniques and availability of technology have improved the chances of saving a patient’s life at even advanced stages and critical complications.”
Another surgical oncologist (thoracic) and robotic surgeon from Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said, “The case of the 14-year-old boy was the first one ever witnessed in India in paediatric. The patient had been
in a constant struggle due to acute respiratory difficulty. The prior surgery he underwent of intra-bronchial incomplete resection/ laserisation of the tumour made the case more critical and urgent. We decided to go for robotic-assisted tracheal resection, reconstruction with 3 tracheal rings, and comprehensive mediastinal nodal
dissection. This robotic treatment enabled us to treat the patient quickly yet with the highest precision to ensure the fastest recovery. On day 10, the tests showed complete healing of the surgical site of the trachea.”
On the occasion, Harshad Reddy, Director- Operations, Group Oncology & International, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre said, “At Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, we prioritise our patients over everything.
The treatments are well customised to ensure our patients are treated with finesse and recover steadily. When a patient onboards the journey to lead a cancer-free life, we hold their hands and stand by them. We hope that we continue to touch lives across the world. It is a matter of pride that patients from SAARC put their trust and life in the hands of doctors at Apollo.”
Harish Trivedi, CEO, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre mentioned,
“The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre has the state-of-the-art dedicated Robot-Assisted Cancer Surgery Unit. It offers specialised 360-degree care with the most advanced robotics system for complex surgeries. The robotic arms with endowrists have a 360+270 degree manoeuvrability which is unmatched by the human hand.”
