New Delhi: Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer, is a significant health concern in India, being the fifth most common cancer among males and the seventh most common cancer among females. The growing prevalence of this disease has made early detection and effective treatment crucial for improving survival rates. Surgery remains a vital part of treatment, especially in the early stages. However, traditional open surgeries take a longer time to recover with greater risks of complications and physical trauma. Over the past decade, minimally invasive techniques have emerged as a revolutionary gastric cancer treatment with improved outcomes and reduced recovery times.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Azhar Perwaiz, Director, GI Surgery, GI Oncology and Bariatric Surgery, Gastrosciences, Medanta, Gurugram, explained how minimally invasive techniques can mitigate cancer-treatment-related trauma on the body.
Minimally invasive techniques (MIS) use advanced tools and smaller incisions to perform complex operations with less trauma to the body. These techniques achieve the same surgical goals as traditional surgery and offer more benefits, like less pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. The three main minimally invasive techniques used for treating gastric cancer are laparoscopic gastrectomy, robotic-assisted surgery, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).
Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: It’s one of the most practiced minimally invasive techniques. In this procedure, surgeons insert a thin tube with a camera, which is called a laparoscope, and other surgical tools through small incisions in the abdomen. The camera provides a magnified view of the surgical site, allowing surgeons to operate with high precision. This technique is particularly effective for early-stage gastric cancer and offers several benefits. Patients experience less blood loss, reduced chances of infections, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times compared to traditional open surgeries, resulting in a better overall treatment experience.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery: This minimally invasive technique offers a higher level of precision and control. Using robotic systems, surgeons perform procedures with improved coordination and stability. The system provides high-definition, 3D views of the surgical site, allowing for precise dissection and reconstruction. This technique is especially valuable in complex cases such as lymph node removal or operations near sensitive areas. The robotic arms can perform with greater accuracy, minimising trauma to surrounding tissues. As a result, robotic-assisted surgery reduces post-operative complications and improves long-term outcomes.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD): Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a specialised MIS technique for patients with very early-stage gastric cancer. Unlike laparoscopic or robotic surgery, ESD does not involve external incisions. Instead, an endoscope equipped with surgical tools is inserted through the mouth to remove tumours from the stomach lining. ESD allows patients to preserve their stomachs and recover quickly, often returning home within a few days. This approach has demonstrated excellent success rates worldwide.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Surgeries: The minimally invasive technique offers numerous advantages for patients. Smaller incisions result in less pain and faster healing. Patients undergoing MIS often see less scarring, fewer infections, and shorter hospital stays. The quicker recovery allows them to resume normal activities sooner, improving their quality of life.
This also has psychological benefits. Smaller scars and quicker recoveries can positively impact a patient’s mental well-being, reducing the overall burden of treatment.
Challenges and Future Direction: Minimally invasive techniques offer numerous benefits, including reduced recovery times and improved patient outcomes. Robotic-assisted systems, though requiring specialized equipment and training, are advancing rapidly and becoming more accessible. Surgeons are continually enhancing their expertise to better utilize these techniques, expanding their availability in various settings. Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI) to identify cancerous tissues and augmented reality (AR) to provide real-time images during surgery, are further improving minimally invasive surgery. These innovations are making MIS safer, more widely available, and more cost-effective.
Minimally invasive techniques have revolutionised the treatment of gastric cancer. By reducing trauma, improving recovery, and offering better outcomes. With continued advancements in technology and training, these techniques are bound to benefit even more patients, offering hope to those battling gastric cancer.
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