Advancements in Oncology: Fortis Cancer Institute & IMA Amritsar organize ‘Oncology Conclave’; Stress on the upsurge in Cancer Cases in Punjab Region

Advancements in Oncology: Fortis Cancer Institute & IMA Amritsar organize ‘Oncology Conclave’; Stress on the upsurge in Cancer Cases in Punjab Region 

 Leading medical experts gather to discuss the latest advancements in cancer treatment to improve patient outcomes in cancer care 

  Ludhiana, May 2024: Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram in association with the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Amritsar hosted an Oncology Conclave on May 12th, 2024, at Holiday Inn, Amritsar. The conclave aimed to explore the latest advancements in cancer, considering the alarming rise in cancer cases in Punjab and adjoining regions, particularly in the Malwa district, often dubbed as the ‘cancer capital of the nation. Malwa is witnessing a surge in cancer cases - 1089 cases per million annually. Women in the Malwa region are predominantly affected by breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers, while men are more susceptible to colon and esophageal cancers. The most frequently seen types of cancer among patients suffering from this disease are adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. 

 The highlight of the conclave was the sessions on recent advancements in medical oncology, chaired by keynote speakers from Fortis Healthcare, Dr Vinod Raina, Chairman, Onco Sciences, Dr Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director & Chief Hematology, Hemato-Oncology & BMT, Dr Anil Kumar Anand, Senior Director, Radiation Oncology, Dr Vedant Kabra, Senior Director, Surgical Oncology from Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, FMRI, Dr Ishita B Sen, Senior Director, Nuclear Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, Dr Davinder Paul, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, Dr Parveen Kaur, Additional Director, Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, Dr Anish Bhatia, Consultant, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana,  Dr Huma Noor, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Amritsar.  The panel shared insights on topics ranging from Recent Advances in Medical Oncology, Early Diagnosis of Blood Cancer, Contemporary and Advanced Surgical Oncology, Personalized Cancer Care modalities in Radiation Oncology, Advanced Nuclear Medicine Cancer Imaging and Therapy, Case discussions on the topics- Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. 

  Dr Atul Kapoor, President of IMA, Amritsar, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. The conclave featured addresses by senior dignitaries -Chief Guest Dr. Sumit Singh, Civil Surgeon of Amritsar, and Guest of Honour Dr Darpan Ahluwalia, IPS, ADCP Zone-1, Amritsar. Dr Jagdeep Singh, Gastroenterologist, Dr B S Ball, Physician, Dr Karamjit Singh Gill, Pathologist, and Dr Ashwani Sharma, Physician, Dr Ravinder Sidhu, Senior Consultant, Nuclear Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana, and Dr Abhinav Mahajan, Surgical Oncology, Dr Gagandeep Singh Khanna, Surgical Oncology, Dr Rominder Kaur, Consultant Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Amritsar, Dr Meena Sudan, Radiation Oncology also offered their diverse perspective on diagnosis and treatment strategies and cancer management. 

 Dr Vinod Raina, Chairman, Oncology Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, expressed, “Precision oncology represents a transformative leap in cancer treatment, enabling us to tailor therapies that align with each patient's unique genetic profile. By utilizing advanced molecular profiling, we can identify the most effective treatment strategies, offering patients a more personalized and promising path forward. This approach not only maximizes the potential for recovery but also helps patients escape the dreaded side effects of traditional chemotherapy. Our goal at Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, is to empower every patient with the highest quality care and treatment, enhancing their quality of life and providing a path to recovery with dignity and precision." 

Dr Anil Kumar Anand, Senior Director, Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, said, “At Fortis Hospital, we are proud to be at the forefront of cancer treatment with the implementation of the MR Linac, one of the most advanced technologies available today. MR Linac provides unparalleled precision in radiation therapy, allowing us to target tumors with extraordinary accuracy while sparing healthy tissue. This innovation is a testament to our unwavering commitment to offering world-class care and the finest technology in cancer treatment.” 

Dr Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director & Chief, Haematology, Haemato-Oncology & BMT, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, said, “The Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program at Fortis stands as one of the largest in India, offering comprehensive care and life-changing treatments for patients. We're proud to lead the way in advancing CAR-T cell therapy, a revolutionary approach that harnesses the power of the immune system to combat cancer with remarkable precision. By combining our extensive BMT expertise with cutting-edge CAR-T cell therapy, we're providing patients with the most innovative and effective treatment options, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to delivering the best outcomes possible.” 

Dr Vedant Kabra, Senior Director, Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, said, “At Fortis Hospital, our Robotic and Complex Cancer Surgical Programme emphasizes surgical precision and patient care. By incorporating state-of-the-art robotic technology, we can perform highly intricate surgeries for various cancers, with unparalleled accuracy. This approach minimizes recovery times and maximizes surgical outcomes. Our commitment to offering the most advanced surgical solutions underscores our dedication to delivering patient-centered care that ensures the best possible treatment for those facing the challenges of cancer.” 

Dr Ishita B Sen, Senior Director, Nuclear Medicine, Fortis Hospital, Gurugram, said "Our Nuclear Medicine and Theranostics program at Fortis Cancer Institute, utilizes state-of-the-art technology to deliver precise diagnostics and targeted therapies. With advanced imaging techniques and theranostic approaches, we are equipped to identify and treat cancer with unprecedented effectiveness, offering highly personalized care to each patient.” 

Dr Davinder Paul, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology Dr Anish Bhatia, Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology and Dr Parveen Kaur, Additional Director, Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana shared their insights, "We are united in our commitment to offering comprehensive cancer care—from early detection to advanced palliative treatments. Our access to world-class diagnostics and treatment modalities, including precision oncology and targeted therapies, ensures that every patient receives personalized care tailored to their specific needs. This approach is fundamental in transforming the prognosis and enhancing the lives of those affected by cancer." 

Dr Ravinder Sidhu, Senior Consultant - Nuclear Medicine, Fortis Ludhiana, on the Role of PET/CT in Cancer Treatment, “Accurate staging is pivotal in the effective management of cancer, we utilize PET/CT technology to ensure precision in diagnosis. This accuracy is critical as it informs our treatment strategies and helps in tailoring interventions that are most appropriate for the patient's specific stage of cancer, thereby optimizing outcomes and enhancing the efficacy of our treatments." 

Dr Harish Matta, Additional Director - General & Onco Surgery, Fortis Ludhiana, on Technological Advancements in Cancer Treatment at Fortis Ludhiana, "Since precise staging is essential to the efficient therapy of cancer, we make use of PET/CT technology to guarantee accurate diagnosis. This precision is essential because it guides our treatment plans and facilitates the customization of therapies that are best suited for the patient's particular stage of cancer, improving treatment efficacy and optimizing results." 

Dr Vishavdeep Goyal, SBU Head, Fortis Amritsar and Ludhiana delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions to the symposium. The evening concluded with a networking dinner, providing an opportunity for further exchange of ideas and collaboration among attendees.