Treatment for Recurrent & Advanced Pelvic Cancers in Ahmedabad

Yes. Cashless treatment is available with most major insurers and TPAs at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, subject to your policy's approval. Our team helps with the pre-authorisation paperwork. Details are on our insurance page.

The surgeon controls robotic instruments through small incisions while viewing a magnified 3D image of the pelvis, the deep and narrow space where this view helps most. It is used for selected uterine, prostate, bladder and rectal cancers. Many recurrent or advanced pelvic tumours still need open surgery.

For early uterine cancer and selected ovarian procedures, robotic surgery gives less pain, less blood loss and a shorter stay, with similar cancer outcomes. For cervical cancer, a large trial (LACC) found more recurrences after minimally invasive radical hysterectomy, so open surgery is generally recommended for most cervical cancers. The approach is chosen case by case.

The most widely used platform in India is the da Vinci system made by Intuitive Surgical; newer systems are also in use. For recurrent pelvic cancer, the more important questions are the experience of the surgical team and whether open surgery is available when the tumour needs it.

Dr Swati Shah, Robotic Cancer Surgeon (Urology & Gynec), performs robotic radical prostatectomy at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar, using a nerve-sparing technique where the cancer allows. Most men regain urinary control over weeks to months; recovery of erections depends on age, function before surgery and whether the nerves can be preserved.

Robotic surgery usually gives less blood loss, less pain and a shorter stay. Long-term cancer outcomes are similar to open surgery for prostate, bladder and rectal cancer, while for cervical cancer open radical hysterectomy is preferred. For recurrent tumours and pelvic exenteration, open surgery is often the safer route.

Rectal and colorectal cancer surgery at our centre is performed by Dr Harsh Shah, Robotic Cancer Surgeon (GI), who has 18 years of experience. When a pelvic cancer involves the bladder, uterus and rectum together, as in recurrent cancers that need pelvic exenteration, Dr Harsh Shah and Dr Swati Shah operate together at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, Gandhinagar.

After robotic surgery for a pelvic cancer, most patients walk within a day and go home in 2 to 4 days. After pelvic exenteration or other extended surgery the stay is longer, often 1 to 2 weeks, and full recovery takes 2 to 3 months. Your team will give you a plan for your specific operation.

Robotic surgery has a higher theatre cost, partly balanced by a shorter hospital stay. Extended operations such as exenteration cost more whichever way they are done. Cashless insurance is available at Apollo Hospital, Bhat, and a written estimate follows the consultation.

In a large randomised trial (RAZOR), robotic radical cystectomy gave cancer control similar to open surgery, with less blood loss and a slightly shorter stay. Long-term survival depends mainly on the stage and on whether chemotherapy was given before surgery. Urinary function afterwards depends on the type of urinary diversion chosen.