The session had discussions on radiology, pathology, medical and radiation oncology and surgery
The Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery & GI Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi organised a CME programme Comprehensive Updates in GI oncology – I, rectal cancer. Senior experts from various fields closely involved in the management of rectal cancer presented and discussed the latest treatment protocols for management of rectal cancer. The meeting was organised at the Apollo hospital auditorium and was attended by over a hundred surgeons and specialists in the fields of medical and surgical gastroenterology, medical and radiation oncology, radiology and pathology.
Led by Dr Deepak Govil and Dr Vivek Tandon, Senior Consultants, GI Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, the programme was attended by practising general physicians and young trainees from the field of gastrointestinal, general surgery, oncology and onco-surgery from across Delhi NCR. The session included a detailed discussion on Radiology, Pathology, and Medical & Radiation Oncology and surgery on rectal cancer.
At the event, Dr Deepak Govil, Senior Consultants, GI Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, said,” Rectal cancers have increased significantly not only in India but globally. This can be attributed to both an increase in the overall population and the increased lifespan of an average individual. A sedentary lifestyle with its resultant obesity, increase in consumption of junk food, animal fat, red meat, alcohol intake and smoking have all contributed to this increase. Inflammatory bowel disease is also a leading cause of hospitalisation in India which also increases the individual risk of colorectal cancer. It is estimated that in India although the incidence is less as compared to western countries it is increasing and we see younger patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The importance of the ‘Do Not Assume’ campaign, was highlighted, emphasising the need for regular screening for rectal. the campaign, This campaign implies that one shouldn’t assume that just because they are young, or no one in their family has colorectal cancer, they are completely safe from the disease.”
Dr Vivek Tandon, Senior Consultants, GI Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, said,” Vigilance is the key and one should not neglect the common symptoms of colorectal cancer such as blood in stools, long-term unexplained fall in haemoglobin, a change in the bowel habit and weight loss. While prevention is better than curing a timely diagnosis of rectal cancer allows for successful treatment using a combination of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Surgical Procedures to manage rectal cancer are extremely complicated and require a high level of expertise. Tertiary care centres in both the private and public sectors in India are successfully performing these procedures. While for decades these surgeries were performed by the open technique requiring big incisions. These technically challenging surgical procedures are increasingly being performed using minimally invasive (keyhole) technique using robots i.e. robotic surgery.”
The organisers of the meeting Dr Govil and Dr Tandon, from the department of surgical gastroenterology and GI oncology, Apollo Hospital, emphasised the advantages of robotic surgery in improving outcomes after surgery for rectal cancer.
