More than 30 percent of Cancer occurs in the oral cavity and throat. Tobacco in different forms and abuse of alcohol is the main reason for the increasing incidence in India.

Ruby Hall Clinic, being a tertiary care institute and prominent Cancer institute in India, gets a large number of Oral Cancer patients. Most of the patients are male and young. Tongue Cancer and oral buccal Cancer is most common in this category. Most of these patients are in a curative category but require extensive treatment in the form of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.

Ruby Hall Clinic is a pioneer in aesthetic surgical methods, cosmetically acceptable results with minimal functional morbidity. Free tissue transfer one of the most important aspects of this surgery is common in Ruby Hall. Oral defects resulting in the inability to open mouth and facial disfigurement is avoided by free fibular bone flap molded in the shape of the excised segment of the jaw bone and implanted with microvascular anastomosis. Further research to insert dental implants in this transferred bone is going on. Image-guided radiotherapy resulting in fewer complications is giving very good results.

Annually more than 500 patients undergo this surgery at Ruby Hall and remain free of disease. Post-treatment rehabilitation in the form of physiotherapy, diet modification advise, dysphagia and speech clinics are available at Ruby Hall.

Breast Cancer is one of the few Cancers which is showing a trend of decline from its peak world over. In India story is different, due to rapid urbanization and multiple socioeconomic factors the incidence of Breast Cancer has jumped to number one position Cancer in women in India, surpassing Cervical Cancer.

Today, more than 80 percent of patients diagnosed with breast cancer are cured with modern treatment and Ruby Hall clinic started the endevour of excellence in this treatment quite early. One of the first Centre to offer breast conservation surgery in India and amongst very few to offer sentinel node biopsy in 2004.

Comprehensive set up of state of the art pathology and radiology department to diagnose early tumours, with minimal invasive needle biopsies, and treating small non palpable breast cancer has been a long strenuous journey. Aesthetic results with oncomammoplasty is standard practice at Ruby Hall clinic.

Free tissue transfer, DIEP Flap, TRAM flap, pedicled flap are done by a team of expert senior plastic surgeon trained in USA and UK.

Scientific research and finding new treatment avenues and making the life better for breast cancer patients has been a constant effort for many years. Ruby Hall organises bi-annual international conference to get the experts in the field together to deliberate the best treatment options and is aptly labeled as ‘Recent Trends in Breast Cancer’. Multiple scientific papers are published in international and national journals on novel methods of treatment for breast cancer. Maharashtra Medical University fellowship affiliated to the state government in breast cancer is started for training young surgeon in this complex field.

Breast conservation surgery has long been established as a safe option for the treatment of Breast Cancer. However, a routine Breast conservation surgery becomes an inadequate procedure if the tumour size is slightly larger in relation to the breast size (larger tumour : breast size ratio). Breast Oncoplasty involves the application of plastic surgery techniques while conserving the breast, in order to improve the cosmetic outcomes. It helps in maintaining the size, shape and symmetry of both the breasts while allowing slightly larger volumes of resection. Apart from being safe oncologically, oncoplasty techniques impart aesthetically better results, enhancing the quality of life. Three main steps involved in oncoplasty are – resection of primary tumour with adequate margins, remoulding / reshaping of the breasts and symmetrization (either by reduction or by repositioning of the nipple) of the opposite normal breast, if required. Thus, it also helps in improving the appearance of both the breasts. All the procedures happen in one sitting and require a hospital stay for 2-3 days. Most of the women can get back to normal life in 7-10 days.

The Centre for advanced GI Oncology at the Kamalnayan Bajaj Cancer Centre, Ruby Hall Clinic is one of the largest and most experienced Centers in India. The specialised Centre for Gastrointestinal Cancers was established with a focus on evidence-based medicine and to provide patients with the best in medical care. Multidisciplinary Patient Care is the hallmark of treatment at this state of the art Centre. Each patient has a medical team dedicated to his or her care. This team includes experienced gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer specialists — gastroenterologists, endoscopists, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, pathologists, GI Oncology surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, nurse practitioners, and Oncology nurses — all of whom exclusively treat patients with GI Cancers. Our team of diagnostic radiologists is nationally recognized for its expertise in using the most advanced imaging tools to safely and rapidly diagnose and stage GI Cancers or to detect changes in tumors.

SURGERY

Our achievements: High volume Centre for Hepatopancreatobiliary surgery – Centre of excellence for pancreatic surgery in western India. Pioneers in 3D laparoscopy – Aesculab state of the art laparoscopic system for advanced minimally invasive surgery in GI Cancers. Among the few Centres in Western India to offer HIPEC therapy for selected Cancers.

OUR MOTTO

Excellence in Surgical Care: Our GI Cancer surgeons have pioneered many now-standard procedures as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques that ensure rapid recovery and nerve preservation helping patients retain normal organ function. Our operating rooms include some specially designed to facilitate complex procedures, allowing GI surgeons to work side-by-side with multiple surgical subspecialists. High Volume Leads to Better Outcomes: Studies have demonstrated that high-volume experience results in improved outcomes for patients. As a high-volume GI Cancer surgery Centre, we are one of the leaders in western India in procedures to treat Pancreatic Cancer. We also are among national leaders for a number of complex procedures to treat GI Cancers, and we have developed expertise in all the sub-specialities.

Colorectal surgery

• Pouch procedures for Ulcerative colitis
• Sphincter saving procedures for rectal Cancers
• Laparoscopic resections

Colonic and bowel resections Foregut surgery

• Radical gastric resections including spleen preserving surgery
• Thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy
• Total esophageal replacements including coloplasty and free jejunal transpositions

Hepatobiliary surgery

• Pancreatoduodenectomy and laparoscopic pancreatic resections
• Liver resections and complex hilar surgery
• Gall bladder resections
• Shunt surgery and devascularisation procedures

Other high-volume complex procedures include

• HIPEC therapy for mucinous malignancies including colorectal metastasis
• Multiorgan and vascular resections for sarcomas

A fully developed unit with the services of a team of surgeons, pulmonologists and support staff has made the unit a standout performer in the Department. Aggressive management of esophageal and Lung Cancers has been able to reduce morbidity associated with these procedures.

• Thoracoscopic interventions
• Minimally invasive esophagectomy
• Mediastinal tumours excision
• Conservative lung surgery

We are one of the few Centres in the country to have dedicated surgeons specially trained in Orthopaedic Oncology. Comprehensive care involving the surgeons, medical oncologists, and rehabilitation team has been the fulcrum running the service.

• Limb conservation surgery
• Megaprosthesis custom built devices
• Complex sacral and pelvic tumour excisions

The incidence of this Cancer in women is less compared to men, probably due to less risky life. The irony is, in spite of fewer women getting affected by Cancer, the mortality is almost similar to men. Inaccessibility of health services, male-dominated society and careless attitude by men and women towards the health of women is the main cause.

Commonest gynaecologic Cancer in women is cervical Cancer and well-recognised prevention is Pap smear. Other commonest Cancer in women is breast Cancer and has more incidence than cervix in urban areas. Information on breast cancer is given separately. Ovarian Cancer and endometrial Cancer are other two very common Cancers in women.

Early diagnosis and surgery followed by radiotherapy or chemotherapy is the mainstay of the treatment. Most of these Cancers require proper oncological surgery and staging of the disease. Minimal invasive or laparoscopic surgery for cervical cancer reduces surgical pain and is preferred over open surgery. Ovarian Cancer surgery is generally done by open surgical technique due to fear of spreading the tumour cells by laparoscopic surgery.

HIPEC or heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy during surgery is one of the most promising techniques for improving the result of the surgery after complete removal of tumour. It’s also called as complete cytoreductive surgery.

Ruby Hall Surgical Oncology team is a pioneer in most of these techniques due to efficient surgical team and good infrastructure. Results of the last ten years of these surgeries show improved quality of life and overall survival in these Cancers.