Know How Robotic Surgery Has Reformed Cancer Treatment

by Rohit Singh Digital Marketing Manager

Cancer is a progressive disease triggered by the abnormal multiplication of unhealthy cells which slowly replace all the healthy cells and eventually metastasize to the other body parts via the various blood channels. Surgery is one of the oldest and most effective treatments for cancer. This aims at the removal of the malignant tumours and damaged cells to prevent them from causing any further damage. Over the years, surgical procedures have evolved tremendously. One of the greatest achievements in the field of surgical oncology is the advent of robotic surgery which has minimized various risks and complications that are associated with traditional surgery.

Robotic cancer surgery is based on the da Vinci Surgical System which is named after Leonardo da Vinci. It is a minimally invasive procedure and does not require any large cuts or incisions. The whole surgery is carried out with the help of a specially designed console which is operated by the doctor with the help of a magnified, high-definition 3D view of the area concerned.

The instruments move with extreme degrees of freedom, thereby enabling the doctors to reach narrow and confined areas which could not be accessed by the traditional surgery. The surgery is carried out in a radical manner, inducing minimal damage to the nearby structures and tissues. Cancer robotic surgery in India has proved to be a boon for numerous patients who were not considered to be eligible for traditional surgery.

Benefits of robotic surgery over conventional surgery

The various benefits of robotic surgery include:

· Shorter recovery period which means that you can return back to your normal lifestyle within a few days.

· Minimal pain and discomfort as the incisions are very small and heal within a few days.

· Least to no scarring

· No unnecessary loss of blood which is very common in the case of conventional surgery

· Alleviated risks of infection at the site of incision

· Better visualization and access to the affected areas.

Scope of robotic surgery

Robotic cancer surgery can be used to treat only certain types of cancer and not all of them.

· Thorax and Lung Cancer- This is carried out by making a very small incision in the patient’s chest to remove the tumour and scrape off some healthy tissues from the affected lobe. Robotic lobectomy has been highly successful in treating lung cancer. Robotic-assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) ensures higher precision, enhanced vision and improved dexterity which help to increase the efficiency of the surgery.

· Thyroid Cancer-Commonly known as robotic thyroidectomy, it is a minimally invasive procedure that aims at the removal of the affected thyroid gland or a part of it without leaving behind any post-surgical scar. The incision is made either behind the patient’s ear or his arm. Originally developed in South Korea, the procedure is now offered at all the best hospitals in Delhi and other parts of India.

· Gynae Cancers- the use of robotic surgeries to treat major Gynaecancers, i.e. endometrial cancer, cervical cancer and ovarian cancer,is one of the latest developments in the field of surgical oncology. Some of the most common procedures recommended by the best doctors include hysterectomies, myomectomies and lymph node biopsies. Apart from the above-mentioned malignancies, robotic surgery can also help to treat problems like pelvic prolapse, fibroids, endometriosis and excessive menstrual bleeding.

· Gastric Cancers- Also known as gastrointestinal cancers, these involve all the malignancies related to the gastrointestinal tract. Robotic surgery has proved to be a very effective alternative to traditional laparoscopic techniques. Procedures like gastric and liver resections, colectomies, radical pancreatic surgeries, etc. have proved to be a boon for numerous patients.