AIIMS Bathinda launches dedicated peritoneal cancer unit

Bathinda: To strengthen specialised cancer care services, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bathinda has established a dedicated peritoneal cancer unit equipped with an advanced Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) facility under its Department of Surgical Oncology.

The new unit is equipped with the RanD Performer 3 HIPEC System, a specialised device designed to heat and circulate chemotherapy solution within the abdominal cavity during treatment. The system enables controlled heating, circulation and temperature monitoring, supporting the delivery of HIPEC during surgery, reports the Daily.

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The facility will provide cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC to appropriately selected patients suffering from peritoneal surface malignancies. These include selected colorectal, appendiceal and ovarian cancers that have spread to the peritoneum.

A dedicated peritoneal cancer unit, also known as a peritoneal surface malignancy programme, focuses on cancers affecting the lining of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs. These include primary peritoneal cancers as well as malignancies that have spread to the abdominal surface from other organs.

Speaking to Economic Times, Prof Ratan Gupta, executive director, AIIMS Bathinda, said the specialised facility marked a milestone in strengthening advanced and comprehensive healthcare services at the institute.

Dr Nikhil Garg, Head of the Department of Surgical Oncology, said the facility would provide an important treatment option for patients with abdominal cancers. He added that the treatment would also be covered under the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. Two doctors from the institute have undergone specialised training in Germany to operate the system. “This machine purchased for nearly Rs 12 crore is the first in the region,” Dr Garg said, reports Tribune India.

In another development, AIIMS Bathinda has initiated AYUSH services alongside modern medical care. These services include Ayurveda, yoga and naturopathy, Siddha and homoeopathy, with an emphasis on wellness and preventive healthcare.

Meanwhile, the institute’s Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery is experiencing a growing demand for cardiac care, with nearly 1,000 patients currently on its waiting list.

Dr Rajiv Kumar, Head of the department, said a large number of patients with cardiac ailments were visiting the institute. Despite performing an average of around 20 major and minor surgeries daily, the department continues to face a substantial backlog.

Dr Kumar said the authorities had been requested to provide additional staff to help the department meet the growing demand for cardiac services, reports the Tribune.

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