Jalandhar Urology Society, Intuitive India hold conference on bladder cancer treatment techniques

Jalandhar: Jalandhar urology society, a part of Punjab urology association, has joined hands with Intuitive India, the India arm of Intuitive Surgical, a global technology leader in minimally invasive care and the pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS), to conduct a two day conference to familiarize surgeons and with the latest techniques in the treatment of bladder cancer.

The conference, organized at Patel Hospital, was inaugurated by Dr. R. S. Chahal, President, Punjab Urology Association in the presence of Dr. Jasmine Kaur Dahiya, member, Punjab Medical Council.

The organising committee had formulated a comprehensive programme to ensure extensive learning for the attendees. There were detailed sessions on muscle invasive bladder cancer, cystectomy and nodal dissection, bladder preservation and neobladder surgery. There were dedicated sessions on robotic assisted neobladder surgery and robotic assisted anastomosis, as well.

Also Read: Doctors at CK Birla Hospital perform unique surgery to rejoin patient's Separated Finger

Commenting on this joined effort, Dr. Swapan Sood, Uro-cancer expert at Patel hospital, said that "As the new medical and surgical technologies have the potential to improve patient outcomes, we, at Patel hospital always work towards enhancing the adoption of latest technologies. These kind of conferences will really enhance the adoption of new surgical technologies like robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in Punjab and nearby states, and we are glad to be the facilitator for the same." Dr. Sood also shared ideas about better treatment of bladder cancer by using latest Robot-Assisted Surgery technologies such as Da Vinci. "If the bladder gets damaged during the treatment of cancer, then we can make a new bladder by using the latest techniques", he added.

The main objective of this conference was to share the latest techniques in the treatment of bladder cancer and to enhance the adoption of new medical technologies including robotic assisted surgery in Punjab and nearby states. Experts of urology from Punjab as well as other states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana were a part of this conference called 'Masterclass on bladder cancer.'

While talking about the masterclass on bladder cancer, Dr. Atul Mittal, Head of Jalandhar Urology Society, said, "I am glad to see many experts coming forward to be a part of these kind of conferences. Adopting new technologies like robotic-assisted surgery will go a long way in overcoming the current challenges we face in the treatment of bladder cancer. I wholeheartedly thank Intuitive India for supporting us in this initiative, and I appreciate all the doctors who were a part of this conference."

Dr. TB Yuviraja, who is an expert in the Urology department of Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai, said, "Bladder cancer is more common in men than women. Although, studies suggest that this cancer mostly occurs in men above 60 years of age, it can happen at any age. If it is identified in an early stage, it can be treated well with the new surgical technologies like robotic assisted surgery (RAS)."

Dr. Sudhir Rawal, a cancer expert from Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital, who was also the program director of this conference said that cancer occurs in the bladder when abnormal tissue begins to grow in its inner layers. This cancer begins due to the accumulation of blood clots along with the tissue of the bladder wall being infected. Some people get cancer in the bladder, which takes them to the door of death. But, in the modern era, we can save them by using new techniques such as robotic assisted surgery (RAS)."

Patel Hospital's Medical Oncologist Dr. Anubha Bharthuar and Radiation Oncologist Dr. Anchal Aggarwal also talked about the importance of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the treatment of bladder cancer.

Also Read: In rare surgery, doctors remove whistle stuck for 11 months inside lungs of 12-year-old