Kerala's first integrated gastrointestinal oncology centre opens in Kochi

Kochi: Aster Medcity Kochi launched Gastrointestinal (GI) Oncology Centre for various gastrointestinal Cancers. Being the first of its kind in the state, the centre advocates a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to treat GI cancers which are on the rise in the state notably, especially colon and rectal cancers which have the second highest recorded incidence.

Developed jointly by Aster Centre of Excellence for Gastroenterology and GI Surgery and Aster Centre of Excellence for Oncology and Radiation Therapy, the multidisciplinary GI Centre offers a comprehensive and integrated approach in the treatment for a wide variety of these cancers in the best possible way.

"The Department of Gastroenterology and GI Surgery at Aster Medcity offers Laparoscopy and Robotic surgery in the surgical management of the patients. We are proud to announce that the department has just finished over 1100 minimally invasive surgeries for colon and rectal cancer with excellent results, " said Dr. Prakash, Senior Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology, Aster Medcity, Kochi.

Gastrointestinal cancers are a unique group of diseases that call for an integrated approach for the best possible outcome for individual cases. Often, more better and accurate diagnostics and earlier detection of these cancers can prevent surgery or chemotherapy with endoscopic resection procedures like endoscopic submucosal dissections and resections (ESD/ EMR). In the patient who presents a little late, an integrated approach with a combination of Neoadjuvant Chemo/ Radiotherapy with minimally invasive surgery approaches helps to recover very quickly with minimum morbidity.

" It is a field of health that is subject to changes constantly. By creating such a centre, patients can receive innovative services as soon as possible. Also, Aster Centre of Oncology and Radiation Therapy offers state-of-the-art facilities like Preoperative Neoadjuvant Therapy, Targeted Chemotherapy, IMRT and SBRT facility for Precision Radiation Therapy, " said Dr. Arun R Warrier, Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology, Aster Medcity, Kochi.

“The facility can address the problems associated with many types of gastrointestinal cancers, especially at a time when these types are prevalent. The centre is expected to serve as a one-stop solution for patients suffering from these cancers,” said Dr. Jem Kalathil, Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology, Aster Medcity.

"In its steadfast efforts to introduce the most advanced facilities to the public, Aster Medcity developed yet another approach to efficiently manage various types of GI cancers. It is our pleasure to support people in the best way we can, " said Farhan Yasin, Regional Director of Aster Hospitals, Kerala and Oman Cluster.

Dr. G.N Ramesh, Senior Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology, Dr. Ismail Siyad K H, Senior Consultant - Medical Gastroenterology, Dr. Prakash, Senior Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology, Dr. Jem Kalathil, Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology, Dr. Arun R Warrier, Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology from Aster Medcity, Kochi and Farhan Yasin, Regional Director of Aster Hospitals, Kerala and Oman Cluster and other department staff attended the press conference.