Medical Oncology

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Medical Oncology

INTRODUCTION

Government Royapettah Hospital, attached to Government Kilpauk Medical College, was established in 1911 by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Located at Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai–600014, it holds a unique place among government hospitals as the only tertiary care hospital in the state with all three divisions of oncology—Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology—under one roof.

This comprehensive setup allows us to offer world-class outpatient and inpatient cancer treatment facilities, achieving comparable cure rates and excellent palliation for non-curable cases. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care, research, and academics, our department caters to a large patient population every single day.

INFRASTRUCTURE

● OUTPATIENT WING

Our services are conducted in the first floor of the cancer block, with a separate registration room, spacious waiting hall, medical records unit, and clinical examination rooms

● DAY CARE CHEMOTHERAPY CENTRE

Patients requiring chemotherapy on an outpatient or single-day basis are treated here under the close supervision of faculty and trained staff nurses. We handle 20–30 day-care patients daily, administering chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, intrathecal injections, transfusions, and supportive care.

● LECTURE /CLASSROOM HALL

Daily academic teaching programs for DM Medical Oncology residents are held here, supported by OHP, internet access, and digital resources

● INPATIENT WING

For patients requiring admission, our facilities include a 20-bed female ward, a 20-bed male ward, 10 separate special rooms for paying patients, and a 6-bedded ICU for critically ill oncology patients

● AUDITORIUM

A 100-seater fully air-conditioned auditorium is located on the fifth floor of the cancer block, equipped with dining facilities, regularly hosting CMEs, conferences, and academic meetings

Patient Services

● Outpatient Services (OPD):

◈We see an impressive 100–120 new and follow-up patients daily, across a wide spectrum of malignancies. To ensure disease-focused and personalized care, dedicated Specialty Clinics are conducted:

Monday: Breast Cancer Clinic
Tuesday: Hemato-Oncology & Lung Cancer Clinic
Wednesday: Head & Neck Cancer Clinic
Thursday: Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary Cancer Clinic
Friday: Gynecology& Musculoskeletal Cancer Clinic

● Inpatient Services (IPD):

◈Patients needing prolonged chemotherapy, close monitoring, or intensive care are admitted under the IP division for continuous treatment and supervision

1. Chemotherapy given on an OPD basis with intent to cure as well as palliation.

2. Clinical follow-up of old patients also done by OP division.

Inpatient service works for patients whose condition requires hospitalization. Those patients are admitted for further treatment and monitoring of those cases are also done under IP division.

PALLIATIVE CARE

Palliative care consists of caring for patients suffering from pain for a long time. It is generally misunderstood that only people who are terminally ill or those whom doctors have given up hope of any progress, go to palliative care centers.Far from true, any patient suffering from intense pain requiring long-term care can benefit from hospices. The objective of hospices is to improve the quality of life and render living passable. Hospices address all issues in an integrated way where medicine is needed like morphine are given in required doses to reduce pain. Where ever supplemental treatment, medical treatment or other interventions like chemotherapy, or radiotherapy is indicated, these are provided with support of nearby hospitals. Counselling is provided to make the patient to understand and accept reality. Love, Care, and psychological supports are all given.

Our dedicated Pain and Palliative Care Clinic functions on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Palliative care is not limited to end-of-life support—it extends to any patient suffering from severe or chronic cancer-related pain. With the support of the Department of Anesthesiology, patients refractory to maximum opioid therapy benefit from interventional pain procedures (nerve blocks, neurolytic interventions, etc.), yielding excellent results. Counseling and psychological support are also integral, ensuring dignity and quality of life

Multidisciplinary Strength

Our department thrives on a robust multidisciplinary model, with seamless collaboration across allied specialties

◈Radiation Oncology & Surgical Oncology – state-of-the-art multimodality cancer care.

◈Medical & Surgical Gastroenterology – advanced diagnostics and surgical expertise for GI cancers

◈Urology, ENT & Ophthalmology – site-specific expertise complementing oncology management.

◈General Medicine & General Surgery – holistic support for patients with complex systemic needs.

◈Cardiology & Nephrology – vital in managing comorbidities and chemotherapy-related complications.

◈Anesthesiology – crucial partners in pain management and peri-procedural safety.

Our multidisciplinary tumor board—comprising medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists—meets regularly to decide the best line of treatment tailored to each patient.

Academic & Research Excellence

The department is deeply committed to resident training, teaching, and research. Daily academic activities include lectures, journal clubs, tumor boards, case presentations, and mock examinations.

Publications:

◈Kannan J, Saklani M, Mohanty S, Narunapani K, George D, Ingersal N. The pattern of distant metastasis and clinicopathological factors associated with de-novo metastatic cervical cancer: A retrospective analysis. Int J Res Med Sci 2022;10(1):191-5.

◈Kannan J, George D, Mohanty S, Ingersal N, Saklani A. Colorectal cancer in younger adults less than 50 years: a retrospective study on its clinicopathological characteristics. Int J AdvMed 2022;9(1):25-30

◈Kannan J, Mohanty S, Saklani A, George D, Ingersal N. Pattern of recurrence and survival outcomes in non metastatic triple negative breast cancer; a retrospective analysis. Turk J Oncol 2022;37(2):122-8

◈Karthikeyan, Kannan J, Raja G. Post Total Neoadjuvant Therapy - Pathological Complete Response Among Individuals with Locally Advanced Rectal Adenocarcinoma in a Selected Tertiary Care Center, South India: A Follow-up Study. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research 2023; 15(09); 745-753

◈Kannan J, Raja G; Clinicopathological Factors and Treatment Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Among South Indian Patients with Osteosarcoma: A Single Institute Retrospective Study, International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research 2023; 15(10); 2165-2173.

◈Kannan J, Raja G; Clinico-pathological Profile and Treatment Outcomes among Patients with Metastatic Gastric Carcinoma at a Tertiary Care Centre in South India: A Retrospective Study, International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research 2023; 15(10); 451-458

◈Manish Kumar Sharma B Ramkumar G Raja Atul J G ShaoniParai N VasanthRooban Effect of metronomic chemotherapy on quality of life in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancers doi:https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijms20242605

◈ShaoniParai, B. Ramkumar, G. Raja, Atul J. G., Manish Kumar Sharma, VasanthRoobanNarasimman Exploratory analysis of epidemiological, clinicopathological characteristics of esophageal cancer: An institutional study in Chennai doi: https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijms20241731

◈Dr.Atul J G Dr. B. RamkumarDr. G. Raja Dr. M PandirudaiDr.Senthil Kumar Dr. Manish Kumar Sharma Dr.ShaoniParaiDr.VasanthRooban. Narasimman A Retrospective Analysis of the Epidemiology and Time-Trends of Carcinoma of Esophagus Over Ten Years: A study from a Tertiary Care Centre in India

◈ Dr.Atul J G Dr. B RamkumarDr. G Raja Dr. Manish Kumar Sharma Dr.ShaoniParaiDr.VasanthRoobanNarasimman HALP Score (Hemoglobin Albumin Lymphocyte Platelet Score) As Predictive Indicator For Treatment Response In Patients With Stage IV Colorectal Cancer On First Line Folfiri-Bevacizumab. International Organization of Scientific Research E-ISSN: 2279-0835, P-ISSN: 2279-0843. Volume 23, Issue 8, Ser. 9 (August, 2024), pp 21-26.

◈ VasanthRoobanNarasimmanRamkumarBackthayavachalam Raja Gopal Pandirudai M Atul J Manish Kumar Sharma ShaoniParaiSrideviGnanasekaran Clinical outcomes of interim pet ct scan guided response adaptive therapy in advanced hodgkin lymphoma tertiary cancer center experience from south indiaNarasimman V et al Int J Res med sci 2025 Jan 13(1)

Ongoing Research

◈Our department is actively involved in multiple research projects aimed at improving patient outcomes and advancing oncology knowledge. Current initiatives include

◈Alternative sequencing of platinum based neoaduvant chemotherapy in triple negative breast cancer: clinical outcomes and toxicity profile

◈Assessment of etiology and risk factors for chemotherapy induced neutropenia among solid cancer patients in tertiary care centre

◈Assessment of androgen receptor expression in breast and its correlation with clinicopathologic, prognostic and predictive features

◈Assessment of response of adjuvant capox 3 months in colonic cancer with stage 2 & 3 in a tertiary care centre in south india

◈Docetaxel in Cisplatin ineligible patients.

◈Omission of bolus 5-FU , toxicity profile in advanced gastrointestinal cancers

◈Effect of addition of Metformin to concurrent chemo radiation in head and neck cancer.

◈Irinotecan vs Paclitaxel efficacy in second line therapy of metastatic gastric cancer

◈Neoadjuvant Docetaxel carboplatin efficacy in Triple Negative Breast Cancers.

◈Correlation between dexamethasone dose and incidence of hypersensitivity reactions in patients treated with Taxanes

PG Teaching Programmes

Other than routine ward rounds, case presentations, and bedside discussions, our department conducts a structured Postgraduate Teaching Programme on a weekly basis. This ensures comprehensive academic exposure and preparation for examinations, while also fostering interactive learning

Weekly Schedule

◈Monday – Case Presentation

◈Tuesday – Seminars

◈Wednesday – Case Presentation

◈Thursday – Journal Club

◈Friday – Viva-Based Sessions

◈Saturday – Guest Lectures / CME / Interdepartmental Meets

Guest lectures are delivered by eminent professors and teachers from reputed institutions, covering a wide spectrum of important clinical topics. Postgraduates are also encouraged to participate in national-level conferences, CMEs, and interdepartmental collaborative sessions, further enhancing their academic and clinical skills.

◈ Dr.VasanthRooban - 1st LEAP award from ROCHE with 2 lakh cash prize (2024)

◈Dr.MonishBalaji & Dr.Sakthi Vignesh - 1st prize - IAON recent update conference (2024) – Quiz

◈Dr.Monish Balaji & Dr.Sakthi Vignesh - 1st prize – JIPMER Palliative & Supportive Care Conference (2024) – Quiz

◈Dr.MonishBalaji - 2nd prize – SABCS conference (2025) – Quiz.

◈Dr. Bhawna & Dr. Sai Lakshmi Teja- 2nd prize – Annual Year End Review Conference (2025) – Quiz

◈Dr.Monish Balaji & Dr.Sakthi Vignesh- 2nd prize- AGOS Geriatric Oncology Conference (2025) – Geriatric Oncology Quiz

◈o Dr.Sakthi Vignesh - 1st prize - AGOS Geriatric Oncology Conference (2025) – Geriatric Medicine Quiz

These recognitions reflect the strong academic culture and mentorship in our department.

Faculty & Residents:

The department is led by a dedicated and highly experienced team

◈Professor & Head of the Department:Dr. B. Ram Kumar, MD, DM

◈Associate Professors:Dr. G. Raja, MD, DM

Assistant Professors:

◈Dr. M. Pandidurai, MD, DM

◈Dr. E. Senthil Kumar, MD, DM

Senior Residents:

◈Dr.TummalaAnusha

◈Dr. Sai Lakshmi

◈Dr.Pavan

◈Dr. Bhawna

◈Dr.BathalaHaritha Reddy

◈Dr.MonishBalaji

◈Dr.Prasanna

◈Dr.SakthiVignesh

◈Dr.Matangi

◈Dr.Jawahar

◈Dr. Prisca Mercy

◈Dr. Kankan Jyoti Deka

Achievements & Recognition

Our residents have brought laurels to the institution by winning quiz competitions and poster presentations in various International and National conferences.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING :

Medical Oncology division of govt Royapettah Hospital offers number of training and education opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates,nursing students and those seeking continued medical education. Mission of the medical oncology division is to eliminate cancer-allied diseases through integrated programs in patient care, research education and prevention. This division of medicine striving to make progress to realize the mission, as division builds strong partnership with other divisions as well as other cancer centers to develop more effective therapies that are targeted to each patient’s unique disease profile. Division investigators are now appreciable progress in extending survival and improving the quality of lifefor patients with most difficult-to-treat tumors like head and neck cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, brain tumors,leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, gynecological cancers and many challenging but rare tumors.

The comprehensive treatment system involves tumor board consisting of panel of chief doctors of medical, surgical and radiation oncologists. The board examines the referred cases and jointly decides on the best line of treatment for each patient.

The Division of Medical Oncology offers training opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates, nursing students, and DM residents. The mission of our division is to eliminate cancer and allied diseases through integrated programs in patient care, research, education, and prevention.

We build strong partnerships with allied divisions and cancer centers to develop personalized therapies, tailored to each patient’s disease biology. Our academic environment equips trainees to manage common malignancies such as breast, lung, GI, hematological, and gynecological cancers, as well as rare and challenging tumors

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

We regularly organize CME programs and workshops to update medical professionals on recent advances in oncology.

A CME on Rectal Cancer was conducted in July 2023.

A CME on Febrile Neutropenia was conducted in July 2025.

Numerous Guest Lectures and Clinical Pathology Meet conducted on periodic basis.

Conducted Rally and Awareness campaigns for Pink October, 2024, World Cancer Day

Our Vision

With compassionate care, cutting-edge treatment protocols, strong academic backing, and a legacy of over a century, the Department of Medical Oncology at Government Kilpauk Medical College & Government Royapettah Hospital strives to be a center of excellence in cancer care, research, and training, nurturing the brightest oncologists for the future.