Evolution Of Cancer Treatment: Advent Of Cancer Robotic Surgeries

Cancer is a progressive disease that traces its roots back to the ancient Egyptian and Greek civilization and even before. Ever since then there has been a continuous urge to find new and better ways to counter the problem. Marked by the abnormal growth of malignant cells in the body that soon start to replace all the healthy tissues, cancer is the second most common cause of deaths in India. The advent of cancer robotic surgery in India has revolutionized the whole scenario and proved to be a boon for millions of patients. The procedure which is offered at all the leading hospitals is a result of years of studies and research that finally bore fruit in the year 2000 when da Vinci Surgery System became the first of its kinds to be approved by FDA for general laparoscopic surgery. Cancer specialists in Delhi have praised the procedure immensely owing to the added precision and accuracy. 

Initially, cancer was treated with radical surgical procedures and cautery that were mostly ineffective. The lack of proper equipment and technology and insufficient knowledge acted as a barrier which gradually started to fall with various discoveries that led to a better understanding of various biological and pathological features to the tumours. The discovery of x-rays in the 1800s proved to be a turning point in the field of oncology and became the foundation for the first modern therapeutic approach to combat cancer. 

The birth of chemotherapy during the Second World War and its application in treating various haematological and solid tumours is a noteworthy achievement thatstill continues to be a crucial part of any cancer treatment. Detailed studies in the field of molecular and cellular biology played a pivotal role in the rise of targeted therapy in the 1980s. This was the 2ndbreakthrough in the field. Over the years, oncological treatment procedures have seen tremendous improvements and additions with the advent of radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and other such procedures. 

If we talk about the surgical interventions, it won’t be wrong to say that technological advancements that have touched almost all the spheres of medical science have led to a tremendous impact on the invasive oncological treatments as well. Surgical robotics is one of the most talked-about subjects in the medical world nowadays which has taken the field by storm and led to the spur of robotic surgery hospitals in Delhi.

Cancer robotic surgeries:

Cancer robotic surgeries, as the name suggests, use highly advanced robotic programmes to perform complex surgical procedures with added precision and greater flexibility, thereby making it easier to access and operate upon hard to reach tumours. Unlike the conventional surgical procedures that involve large incisions and unnecessary blood loss, cancer robotic surgeries are carried out via tiny keyhole incisions thereby negating the risks of infection and excessive blood loss. 

The surgical system includes two arms, one with the camera for precise image guidance and the other one with all the surgical instruments attached to it. The surgeon controls these arms with the help of a console that has an enlarged screen where the magnified images of the affected area are generated. 

It is, however, pertinent to know that cancer robotic surgery is not an option for everyone and it is important to determine your eligibility for the same before proceeding with the treatment. The best doctors in Delhi are of the opinion that with further advancements the surgery will be able to help more and more patients without any limitations. 

Cancer robotic surgery has helped to deliver commendable results in treating various cancers that include:

 Colon cancer

 Rectal cancer

 Head and neck cancers

 Endometrial cancer

 Oesophageal cancer

 Pancreatic cancer

 Kidney cancer

 Prostate cancer

Perks of cancer robotic surgeries:

Cancer robotic surgery, as already mentioned, gives better access to the tumours and that too with increased precision and accuracy there by making it easier and convenient for both the doctors and the patients. Some of the advantages of cancer robotic surgery include:

 Alleviated risks of blood loss and scarring

 Faster recovery 

 Higher precision

 Better accessibility

 Reduced pain and discomfort