Robot-assisted surgery: Doctors learn latest tech in treating bladder cancer

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 30

The Jalandhar Urology Society has joined hands with Intuitive India, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), to conduct a two-day conference to familiarise surgeons with the latest techniques in the treatment of bladder cancer. The conference, organised at Patel Hospital, was inaugurated by Dr RS Chahal, president, Punjab Urology Association, in the presence of Dr Jasmine Kaur Dahiya, member, Punjab Medical Council.

The organising committee had formulated a comprehensive programme to ensure extensive learning for the attendees. There were detailed sessions on muscle invasive bladder cancer, cystectomy and nodal dissection, bladder preservation and neo-bladder surgery. There were dedicated sessions on robotic-assisted neo-bladder surgery and robotic assisted anastomosis as well.

Commenting on this joined effort, Dr Swapan Sood, Uro-cancer expert at Patel hospital, said: “As the new medical and surgical technologies have the potential to improve patient outcomes, we need to enhance the adoption of latest technologies.”

Dr Sood also shared ideas about better treatment of bladder cancer by using latest robot-assisted surgery technologies. “If the bladder gets damaged during the treatment of cancer, then we can make a new bladder by using the latest techniques,” he added.

Experts of urology from Punjab as well as other states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, UP and Haryana were a part of this conference called ‘Master class on bladder cancer.’

Dr Atul Mittal, Head of Jalandhar Urology Society, said, “Adopting new technologies like robotic-assisted surgery will go a long way in overcoming the current challenges we face in the treatment of bladder cancer.”

Dr TB Yuviraja, who is an expert in the Urology department of Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, said: “Bladder cancer is more common in men than women. Although, studies suggest that this cancer mostly occurs in men above 60 years of age, it can happen at any age. If it is identified in an early stage, it can be treated well with the new surgical technologies like robotic assisted surgery (RAS).”

Dr Sudhir Rawal, a cancer expert from Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, who was also the programme director of this conference, said cancer occurs in the bladder when abnormal tissue begins to grow in its inner layers. This cancer begins due to the accumulation of blood clots along with the tissue of the bladder wall being infected. Some people get cancer in the bladder, which takes them to the door of death. But, in the modern era, we can save them by using newer techniques.”

Patel Hospital’s Medical Oncologist Dr Anubha Bharthuar and Radiation Oncologist Dr Anchal Aggarwal also talked about the importance of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer.

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