Surgical Oncology
Surgical Oncology
INTRODUCTION
The Department of Surgical Oncology at Government Royapettah Hospital was established on 16th December 1985 under the visionary leadership of Prof. Dr. Narayanan, M.S. The first Professor and Head of the Department was Prof. Dr. M. Snehalatha, M.S., M.Ch, followed by Prof. Dr. R. Rajaraman, M.S., M.Ch and Prof. Dr. S. Subbaiah, M.S., M.Ch. At present, the department is led by Prof. Dr. D. Suresh Kumar, M.S. (Gen. Surg., AIIMS), DNB, M.Ch, DNB.
Since its inception, the department has grown exponentially, emerging as one of the most respected oncology units in India, well recognized for its clinical excellence, academic rigor, and research contributions. Subsequently, the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology were also established within the same premises, strengthening the hospital’s multidisciplinary cancer care framework. The new cancer block was opened on 2013.
Academic training in M.Ch. Surgical Oncology began in 2001 with two seats, expanded to four in 2010, and since 2020, six candidates are admitted annually. The course is recognized by the National Medical Commission (formerly MCI). In addition, broad specialty postgraduates—M.S. General Surgery, M.D. Obstetrics & Gynecology, M.D.S., and B.P.T. students—from multiple institutions—are posted to the department for structured oncology training.
INFRASTRUCTURE
◈ Operation Theatres: Two modern major operation theatres with advanced equipment, two high-definition laparoscopy units, and a dedicated minor operation theatre for day-care and short procedures.
◈ Endoscopy Suite: Comprehensive facilities for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including upper and lower GI endoscopy, bronchoscopy, video laryngoscopy (VLS), diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE), cystoscopy, and colposcopy.
◈ Academic Facilities: A well-furnished lecture hall and departmental library that support teaching, learning, and collaborative research.
◈ Skill Development: A modern surgical skill laboratory with six endotrainer modules, providing residents with structured hands-on training.
This integrated infrastructure ensures delivery of high-quality patient care, robust postgraduate training, and continuous professional development.
ACADEMICS
◈ Daily Multidisciplinary Tumor Board: Conducted from 12–1 pm, attended by surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists along with oncopathologists.
◈ Weekly Academic Symposiums: Covering diverse oncology topics, often in the form of panel discussions with eminent faculty members.
◈ Active Conference Participation: Faculty and postgraduate trainees regularly present papers and posters at leading national conferences, with several award-winning contributions.
CLINICAL SERVICES
The department provides a comprehensive spectrum of surgical oncology services, with a steady increase in outpatient and inpatient numbers over recent years. Surgeries are performed on a daily basis, ranging from routine oncologic resections to highly complex procedures.
Notably, the department is among the few centers in India performing rare and advanced surgeries such as:
◈• Pelvic exenterations
◈• Sacrectomies and hemipelvectomies
• Shoulder girdle resections
• Centralization of forearm bones
• Complex limb salvage surgeries
In addition, the department routinely performs cancer surgeries across all major subspecialties, including head & neck, breast, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynecologic oncology.
Faculty
| S. No | Name | Educational Qualification | Designation | TNMC Registration No | Recent Passport Size Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prof. Dr. D. Suresh Kumar | M.S. (Gen. Surg. AIIMS), DNB, M.Ch, DNB | Professor and Head of the Department | 64288 |  |
| 2 | Dr. T. Bharanidharan | M.S., M.Ch | Assistant Professor | 69026 |  |
| 3 | Dr. A. Rajeswaran | M.S., M.Ch | Assistant Professor | 66301 |  |
| 4 | Dr. N. Mohanasundaram | M.S., M.Ch | Assistant Professor | 98833 |  |
| 5 | Dr. I.G. Sam Victor | M.S., M.Ch | Assistant Professor | 97904 |  |
RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS
The department has a strong academic culture, with active participation in clinical research and peer-reviewed publications at both national and international levels.
1. LAPAROSCOPIC MESORECTAL EXCISION FOR RECTAL CANCER: PATHOLOGICAL OUTCOME
AND SHORT-TERM SURVIVAL ANALYSIS- World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery – March 2024
2. INCIDENCE AND MANAGEMENT OF PHARYNGO-CUTANEOUS FISTULA FOLLOWING TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY –
A SINGLE INSTITUTIONAL 10 YEARS EXPERIENCE- International Surgery Journal – May 2024
3. PRIMARY CHONDROSARCOMA OF BONE: A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL AND ONCOLOGICAL OUTCOME
ANALYSIS- International Journal of Research in Orthopaedics – May 2024
4. LYMPH NODE YIELD, POSITIVITY RATIO, AND OVERALL SURVIVAL IN LAPAROSCOPIC VERSUS OPEN
RADICAL HYSTERECTOMY FOR CARCINOMA CERVIX: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS- Indian Journal of
Gynecologic Oncology – August 2024
5. MULTIVISCERAL RESECTION IN COLONIC CANCER – “BOON OR BANE?”: EXPLORING THE ROLE AND
RATIONALE THROUGH CASE REPORTS- International Surgery Journal – August 2024
6. THE PSYCHO-SOCIAL IMPACT OF CANCER TREATMENT ON THE CAREGIVERS OF THE PATIENTS- Asian
journal of Oncology-November 2024
7. "THE DUAL THAT CHALLENGED US TO A DUEL!!! CARCINOMA COLON WITH RETROPERITONEAL
LEIOMYOSARCOMA WITH LIVER METASTASIS – DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC DILEMMA"-
International Surgery Journal – May 2024
8. A RARE CASE OF ODONTOGENIC MYXOMA OF MAXILLA- International Surgery Journal – August
2024
9. ANORECTAL GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOR - A RARE CASE REPORT- International Surgery
Journal – September 2024
Key Research Themes:
◈ Innovations in surgical techniques and perioperative protocols
◈ Outcomes in gastrointestinal, breast, and gynecological cancers
◈ Role of minimally invasive and endoscopic oncology procedures
◈ Clinical audits and evidence-based cancer surgery practices
Ongoing Research Projects:
1. A PROSPECTIVE, COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CYTOREDUCTIVE SURGERY VS CYTOREDUCTIVE
SURGERY+ HYPERTHERMIC INTRAPERITONEAL CHEMOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH PERITONEAL SURFACE
MALIGNANCIES.
2. PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON COMPARING ERAS PROTOCOL AND STANDARD PROTOCOL IN GYNACOLOGICAL
SURGERIES
3. A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SHORT TERM OUTCOMES OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
VERSUS OPEN SURGERY FOR CARCINOMA RECTUM AND SIGMOID COLON
4. PROSPECTIVE, COMPARATIVE STUDY ON SENTINEL LYMPH NODE BIOPSY BETWEEN DUAL DYES AND
SINGLE DYE IN NODE NEGATIVE CARCINOMA BREAST
5. COMPARISON BETWEEN MRI AND PATHOLOGY IN THE ASSESSMENT OF TUMOR REGRESSION GRADE IN
RECTAL CANCER
6. PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON COMPARING PERIOPERATIVE CHEMOTHERAPY (FLOT PROTOCOL) TO
NEOADJUVANT CHEMORADIATION (CROSS PROTOCOL) IN PATIENTS WITH ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE
ESOPHAGUS
7. SCREENING FOR MUTATIONS AND BIOMARKERS IN BREAST, ORAL AND CERVICAL CANCER OF INDIAN
POPULATION -A CASE CONTROL STUDY- By PhD students from School of Bio Sciences and
Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology
Through these academic and clinical endeavors, the department continues to bridge innovation and practice, advancing the frontiers of surgical oncology while enhancing patient outcomes.
