gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery and Treatment by Dr. Prashant Mullerpatan in Mumbai Gastrointestinal cancers affect the digestive system and may involve the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. Early diagnosis, accurate staging and appropriate treatment planning are important for achieving the best possible cancer care. At Mullers Cancer Care in Mumbai, Dr. Prashant Mullerpatan, MS, FRCS – Surgical Oncologist and Cancer Surgeon, specializes in the surgical management of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers. His professional expertise includes both open and laparoscopic gastrointestinal cancer surgery. What Is Gastrointestinal Cancer? Gastrointestinal cancer is a group of cancers that develops in different parts of the digestive system. Common types include: Oesophageal cancer Stomach cancer Colon cancer Rectal cancer Small intestine cancer Liver cancer Pancreatic cancer Gallbladder cancer Bile duct cancer Treatment depends on the location, size and stage of the tumour, lymph-node involvement, whether the cancer has spread, and the patient's overall health. Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Surgery can be an important treatment for gastrointestinal cancers that are localized or potentially removable. The objective is to remove the cancer with appropriate margins and, when required, nearby lymph nodes. Depending on the cancer, procedures may include: Oesophageal cancer surgery Partial or total gastrectomy for stomach cancer Colon resection for colon cancer Rectal cancer surgery Small bowel resection Liver resection Pancreatic surgery Whipple procedure Gallbladder and bile duct cancer surgery The appropriate procedure is selected after reviewing the patient's scans, biopsy, cancer stage and overall health. Colon and Rectal Cancer Surgery Colon and rectal cancers are among the commonly treated gastrointestinal cancers. Surgery may involve removing the affected portion of the bowel along with regional lymph nodes. Depending on the tumour location and stage, patients may require chemotherapy or radiation therapy before or after surgery. In selected patients, minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery may be considered. Stomach Cancer Surgery Treatment of stomach cancer depends on the tumour's location and extent. Surgery may involve removing part of the stomach or, in selected cases, the entire stomach. Lymph-node assessment or removal may also form part of the procedure. Chemotherapy may be recommended before or after surgery depending on the stage and pathology. Liver and Pancreatic Cancer Surgery Dr. Prashant Mullerpatan has a specialist interest in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgical oncology. For selected liver cancers, surgery may involve removing the portion of the liver containing the tumour. For certain pancreatic cancers, surgery may include a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy) or another pancreatic resection. These are complex procedures that require careful imaging, staging and surgical planning. Not every liver or pancreatic tumour is suitable for surgery, making specialist evaluation important. Open and Laparoscopic GI Cancer Surgery Gastrointestinal cancer surgery may be performed through traditional open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Dr. Prashant Mullerpatan's professional profile includes expertise in open and laparoscopic GI oncosurgery. Laparoscopic surgery uses smaller incisions and may provide benefits such as reduced wound size and potentially faster recovery in appropriately selected patients. However, open surgery may be more appropriate for complex or extensive cancers. The priority is always appropriate cancer treatment and safe tumour removal. Treatment Beyond Surgery Surgery is not always the only treatment required for gastrointestinal cancer. Depending on the diagnosis and stage, treatment may include: Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Targeted therapy Immunotherapy Surgery A combination of these treatments Some patients may receive chemotherapy or radiation before surgery to reduce or control the tumour. Additional treatment may also be recommended after surgery based on the final pathology report. Diagnosis and Cancer Staging Before deciding on treatment, the cancer must be accurately diagnosed and staged. Investigations may include: Endoscopy Colonoscopy Biopsy CT scan MRI PET-CT in selected cases Blood investigations Staging helps the cancer team determine whether the tumour is localized, involves lymph nodes or has spread to other organs. Why Consult a Surgical Oncologist? Gastrointestinal cancer surgery can range from bowel procedures to highly complex operations involving the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. A specialist surgical oncology consultation can help determine: Whether surgery is appropriate What type of surgery may be required Whether laparoscopic surgery is suitable Whether chemotherapy or radiation should be given.