Surgical Oncology

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Surgical Oncology at Government Royapettah Hospital was established on 16th December 1985 under the visionary leadership of Prof. Dr. Narayanan, M.S. The first Professor and Head of the Department was Prof. Dr. M. Snehalatha, M.S., M.Ch, followed by Prof. Dr. R. Rajaraman, M.S., M.Ch and Prof. Dr. S. Subbaiah, M.S., M.Ch. At present, the department is led by Prof. Dr. D. Suresh Kumar, M.S. (Gen. Surg., AIIMS), DNB, M.Ch, DNB.

Since its inception, the department has grown exponentially, emerging as one of the most respected oncology units in India, well recognized for its clinical excellence, academic rigor, and research contributions. Subsequently, the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology were also established within the same premises, strengthening the hospital’s multidisciplinary cancer care framework. The new cancer block was opened on 2013.

Academic training in M.Ch. Surgical Oncology began in 2001 with two seats, expanded to four in 2010, and since 2020, six candidates are admitted annually. The course is recognized by the National Medical Commission (formerly MCI). In addition, broad specialty postgraduates—M.S. General Surgery, M.D. Obstetrics & Gynecology, M.D.S., and B.P.T. students—from multiple institutions—are posted to the department for structured oncology training.

INFRASTRUCTURE

◈ Operation Theatres: Two modern major operation theatres with advanced equipment, two high-definition laparoscopy units, and a dedicated minor operation theatre for day-care and short procedures.

◈ Endoscopy Suite: Comprehensive facilities for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including upper and lower GI endoscopy, bronchoscopy, video laryngoscopy (VLS), diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE), cystoscopy, and colposcopy.

◈ Academic Facilities: A well-furnished lecture hall and departmental library that support teaching, learning, and collaborative research.

◈ Skill Development: A modern surgical skill laboratory with six endotrainer modules, providing residents with structured hands-on training.

This integrated infrastructure ensures delivery of high-quality patient care, robust postgraduate training, and continuous professional development.

ACADEMICS

◈ Daily Multidisciplinary Tumor Board: Conducted from 12–1 pm, attended by surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists along with oncopathologists.

◈ Weekly Academic Symposiums: Covering diverse oncology topics, often in the form of panel discussions with eminent faculty members.

◈ Active Conference Participation: Faculty and postgraduate trainees regularly present papers and posters at leading national conferences, with several award-winning contributions.

Workshop On Cancer Breast And Reconstruction

Held on Feb 2009, was inaugurated by Hon Deputy Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin. Procedures done were Breast Conservative therapy and Modified Radical Mastectomy followed by free TRAM Flap and was transmitted all over Tamil Nadu through Telemedicine.

Workshop On Gyneec Oncology

Held on Feb 13, 2010 which was attended by upcoming surgeons and gynecologists from all over Tamil Nadu.

World Women’s Day Celebration

Held on 8th march 2010 was inaugurated by Hon Health minister and Health secretary. A public awareness exhibition on common cancers affecting women was conducted on the day.

Research Activities

◈Various research activities are also ongoing in the department which are participated by various paramedical and nonmedical institutes also. Some of the ongoing research activities are

◈Expression profiling of miRNAs and its use in prognosis/diagnosis of Oral Squamous cell carcinoma – By Department of Genetics Dr.ALM PG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences-2009.

◈Cysteine and Serine proteases in Uterine Cervix as a Tumor marker – By Department of Zoology, University of Madras-2009.

Research activities have been undertaken by Biotechnology, Microbiology, Genetics and Engineering students from IIT, Siddha Medical College and University of Madras.

CLINICAL SERVICES

The department provides a comprehensive spectrum of surgical oncology services, with a steady increase in outpatient and inpatient numbers over recent years. Surgeries are performed on a daily basis, ranging from routine oncologic resections to highly complex procedures.

Notably, the department is among the few centers in India performing rare and advanced surgeries such as:

◈• Pelvic exenterations

◈• Sacrectomies and hemipelvectomies

• Shoulder girdle resections

• Centralization of forearm bones

• Complex limb salvage surgeries

In addition, the department routinely performs cancer surgeries across all major subspecialties, including head & neck, breast, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynecologic oncology.

Faculty

Sacrectomies

A new two staged procedure for performing sacrectomies which is useful reducing the blood loss and immediate post operative morbidity, has been described by us was published in an International journal.

Cervix Iib

A prospective research on a new treatmen protocol for carcinoma cervix which is being ongoing in our department for the past 6 years. Preliminary results have been already presented in various conferences. Final analysis on outcome will be published in International Oncology Journals.

Pelvic Exenteration

Our Department has one of the largest series of pelvic exenterations (more than 60) done for various pelvic malignancies, in India. We will be sharing our experience to International community soon.

Journal Publications

Various articles published in international and national journals In the Academic Year 2009-2010:

◈Sacrectomy —an adaptive approach-JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY–SPINE

◈Limb conservation in extremity sarcomas with vascular reconstruction— INDIAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPEDICS

◈Upper limb Rotationplasty -TECHNIQUES OF SHOULDER AND ELBOW SURGERY

Other Research Activities

Patient Services

The services provided to the patients are exemplary which is evident from the fact that outpatient and inpatient inputs have increased by 300% in the past six years. Surgeries’ are performed regularly every day. Some of the surgeries performed like pelvic exenterations, sacrectomies, Hemipelvectomis, Shoulder girdle resections centralization of forearm bones and other limb salvage surgeries are rare to be seenin any other institute in Tamil nadu but also in the entire country. Cancer Surgeries are regularly performed in various subspecialties like Head & neck, Breast, Musculoskeletal Gastrointestinal Genitourinary and Gynec oncologies.

Upgradation As Institute Of Oncology

Last but not the least is the fact that our Department will be upgraded as Institute of Oncology and has been announced by the Govt of Tamil Nadu during Budget session held in March,2010 and has sanctioned around 17 crores for the new cancer block consisting of 6 floors .This Upgradation is due to the following facts :

◈ONLY CANCER DEPARTMENT in Tamil nadu with surgical oncology, radiation oncology and medical oncology under one roof.

◈ONLY GENERAL HOSPITAL UNDER GOVT SETUP IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY having M.Ch surgical oncology course.

◈New patients coming to the OPD has increased more than threefold in the last six years.

◈Surgical oncology is a unique department doing innovative surgeries some of them for the first time in India.

Department List

CME’s

Description