Comprehensive Cancer Treatment and Advanced Oncology Care

Full Spectrum of Oncological Treatments

At PACE Hospitals, we provide advanced cancer treatment in Hyderabad, offering personalized care through chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology for improved patient outcomes.

Non-pharmacological Management

These methods don’t directly kill cancer cells but support treatment, improve quality of life, and sometimes slow progression.

Radiotherapy 

Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, leading to their death or stopping their growth. It can shrink tumors, destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery, and also relieve symptoms like pain or bleeding in advanced cancer.

Lifestyle modifications 

• Smoking cessation: Stopping smoking reduces exposure to harmful carcinogens that can promote cancer growth and recurrence. 
• Healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants helps strengthen the immune system, supports tissue repair, and maintains body weight during cancer treatment. 
• Regular physical activity: It also boosts immune function, helps manage treatment side effects, and is associated with better survival and reduced risk of cancer recurrence.

Psychological support 

Psychological support helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in cancer patients. It improves adherence to treatment, enhances coping ability, and improves quality of life, which can positively influence overall health and recovery.

Palliative care

Palliative care generally aims to improve the quality of life in cancer patients, especially in advanced stages. This consists of pain management using appropriate medications and symptom relief for problems like nausea, breathlessness, and fatigue. The goal is not to cure the disease but to reduce suffering and help patients live as comfortably as possible.

Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation helps patients regain function and independence after cancer treatment.

• Physiotherapy after surgery: Improves movement, strength, and recovery after surgery 
• Speech therapy: Helps patients who have difficulty speaking or swallowing, especially after head and neck cancer treatments. 

Pharmacological Management

These treatments use drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs that target rapidly dividing cells, which is important for treating cancer. These drugs damage DNA or interfere with cell division, leading to cancer cell death. However, they may also affect some normal fast-growing cells (e.g., hair, gut lining), causing side effects.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy uses medicines that targets specific parts of cancer cells, like certain proteins or signals that help them grow. By blocking these targets, the treatment can stop cancer from growing and spreading, while causing less harm to normal cells.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy helps the body’s own immune system fight cancer. It boosts or trains the immune cells so they can recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

Hormonal therapy

Hormonal therapy is used for cancers that depend on hormones (like some breast or prostate cancers). It works by blocking or reducing these hormones, which helps slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Supportive drugs

• Antiemetics: These medicines help prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting, especially during treatments like chemotherapy, making patients feel more comfortable.
• Analgesics: These are pain-relieving medicines that help control cancer-related pain, allowing patients to carry out daily activities more easily.
• Growth factors: These medicines help the body produce more blood cells, especially after chemotherapy, reducing the risk of infections, anemia, and weakness.
  

Interventional / Non-Excisional Procedures 

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) 

Radiofrequency ablation uses heat to destroy cancer cells. A thin needle is inserted into the tumor (usually guided by CT or ultrasound). This needle sends high-frequency electrical currents, which generate heat and burn the tumor from the inside. It is commonly used for cancers in the liver, kidney, or lungs. The goal is to kill the tumor without removing it surgically.

Microwave Ablation (MWA) 

Microwave Ablation is similar to RFA but uses microwave energy instead of electrical current. A probe is placed into the tumor, and microwaves create intense heat that destroys cancer cells. MWA can heat tissue faster and more evenly, so it may work better for larger tumors. It’s also commonly used for liver and lung cancers.

Cryoablation

Cryoablation does the opposite of heat, it freezes the tumor. A special probe is inserted into the cancer, and extremely cold gases are used to create an ice ball around the tumor. This freezing process damages and kills cancer cells. Doctors can often see the ice area clearly on imaging, which helps them control the treatment precisely. It’s used for kidney, prostate, and some other cancers.

Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)

TACE is mainly used for liver cancer. Instead of directly destroying the tumor with heat or cold, this method works in two ways:

• A doctor inserts a catheter into the blood vessel supplying the tumor.
• They deliver chemotherapy drugs directly into the tumor and then block (embolize) the blood supply.

This traps the drug inside the tumor and cuts off oxygen and nutrients, causing the cancer cells to die.

Thoracentesis 

Thoracentesis is also known as a pleural tap, a minimally invasive procedure that removes excess pleural fluid from the pleural space (the space between the lungs and chest wall) to relieve symptoms such as breathing difficulties and chest discomfort caused by pleural effusion.

Palliative Drainage Procedures (Pleural & Ascitic Taps, Stent Placements)

Palliative drainage procedures are performed to relieve symptoms caused by fluid accumulation in the pleural or abdominal cavity due to malignancies or chronic diseases. Pleural and ascitic taps involve needle aspiration to remove excess fluid, improving comfort and breathing. Stent placements help maintain the flow in obstructed ducts or vessels, alleviating pain and complications.

Major Oncologic Surgeries

Lumpectomy 

Lumpectomy is also called Breast-conserving surgery (BCS); it is a surgical procedure to remove only the part of the cancer area (lump) in the breast while preserving as much surrounding normal breast tissue as feasible. It is a widely used treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Some (normal) healthy tissue and lymph nodes are usually removed to ensure that all abnormal tissue is removed. The tissue will be removed depending on the lump's size and location. 

Mastectomy

Mastectomy is a surgical process that removes the entire tissue from a breast as a part of the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. It is also effective in preventing the recurrence of breast cancer. 

A simple mastectomy removes only the entire breast tissue, while a modified radical mastectomy involves removing the entire breast plus some underarm lymph nodes, and a radical mastectomy removes the whole breast, underarm lymph nodes, and chest wall muscles, with the radical option being rarely used today due to its extensive tissue removal.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure) 

Whipple’s procedure, also called pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a surgical procedure to treat tumours and other disorders of the pancreas, the intestine and the bile duct. It is a complicated procedure primarily used to treat pancreatic cancer confined to the head of the pancreas, a section of the small intestine known as the duodenum, the gallbladder, and the common bile duct.

Gastrectomy 

A gastrectomy is a surgery where part or all of the stomach is removed, usually to treat stomach cancer.

• Partial Gastrectomy: Only the cancerous part of the stomach is removed. The remaining portion is then connected to the small intestine so digestion can still happen. 
• Total Gastrectomy: The entire stomach is removed. The food pipe (esophagus) is directly connected to the small intestine. Patients can still eat, but they need to take smaller, more frequent meals. 

This surgery helps by removing the tumor completely and preventing the cancer from spreading further.

Colectomy 

A colectomy is the removal of part or all of the colon (large intestine), often done for colon cancer.

• Partial Colectomy: Only the affected section of the colon is removed, and the healthy ends are joined together. 
• Total Colectomy: The entire colon is removed. The small intestine may be connected to the rectum, or sometimes an opening (stoma) is created on the abdomen to pass waste. 

This surgery works by cutting out the cancerous section of the bowel along with nearby lymph nodes.

Hepatectomy (Liver Resection)

A hepatectomy is surgery to remove a part of the liver affected by cancer (either primary liver cancer or cancer that has spread to the liver). Only the damaged portion of the liver is removed, and the remaining healthy liver can grow back over time. This makes the liver unique compared to other organs. The goal is to remove all cancerous tissue while keeping enough healthy liver for normal function.

Nephrectomy (Partial or Radical)

Removal of the kidney is called nephrectomy. Partial nephrectomy, called removing part of the kidney, is used to treat small kidney cancers that have not spread. Radial nephrectomy removes the whole kidney, surrounding tissue, and some lymph nodes near the kidney.

Radical Prostatectomy 

A radical prostatectomy is a surgery used to treat prostate cancer. In this procedure, the doctor removes the entire prostate gland, along with some surrounding tissues and sometimes nearby lymph nodes. The prostate is a small gland in men that lies below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra. This surgery works by completely removing the cancerous organ, which helps stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.

Hysterectomy 

It is the surgical removal of the uterus, also called uterus removal surgery. Sometimes, depending upon the conditions, other female reproductive organs (such as ovaries, cyst fallopian tubes, and surrounding tissues) are also removed during surgery. The benefits of a hysterectomy primarily include relief from chronic and excruciating pelvic pain and heavy and irregular bleeding due to any underlying cause.

Extended Hepatectomy

An extended hepatectomy is a more advanced form of liver surgery where a larger portion of the liver is removed compared to a standard hepatectomy. This procedure is used when a tumor or cancer is located in a larger section of the liver, or if the cancer has spread to multiple areas of the liver.

In an extended hepatectomy, the surgeon may remove not only the affected part of the liver but also part of adjacent tissue or liver segments, while still ensuring enough healthy liver remains to support the body's function.

Advanced / Specialized Procedure

Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Cytoreductive surgery is a type of surgery aimed at removing as much of the visible tumor as possible from the abdomen, particularly for cancers that have spread to the lining of the abdomen. This surgery is often used for cancers like ovarian, colon, or gastric cancers that have spread throughout the abdominal cavity.

Sometimes, after CRS, doctors also perform Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). In this treatment, heated chemotherapy drugs are directly applied to the abdominal cavity to target any remaining cancer cells. The heat helps the drugs penetrate better and kill off any leftover cancer cells after surgery. The combination of CRS and HIPEC is highly effective in treating cancers that are localized to the peritoneum.

Lymphadenectomy (Lymph Node Dissection)

A lymphadenectomy, also called lymph node dissection is a surgical procedure where the surgeon removes lymph nodes from certain areas of the body. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that are part of the lymphatic system, which helps fight infection and disease.

This surgery is usually done when cancer is suspected to have spread to the lymph nodes. By removing these nodes, doctors can check for cancer and stop it from spreading further. The procedure can be done in various areas of the body, such as the neck, armpits, groin, or abdomen, depending on where the cancer is.

Additional Important Surgeries

Laryngectomy

A laryngectomy is performed to treat cancers of the voice box, most commonly laryngeal cancer. In this procedure, the larynx is partially or completely removed when the tumor is large or has not responded to other treatments like radiation. Surgeons aim to eliminate all cancerous tissue and prevent further spread by removing the organ that contains the cancer. It is often used in advanced stages or recurrent cases, and may be followed by rehabilitation to help the patient regain speech and swallowing functions.

Lobectomy

A lobectomy is commonly used to treat lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer. The lungs are divided into lobes, and if the cancer is confined to one lobe, that entire section is surgically removed. This helps ensure complete removal of the tumor while preserving the remaining healthy lung tissue. It is considered one of the most effective surgical options for early-stage lung cancer and reduces the risk of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

Bile Duct Resection 

This surgery is used to treat cholangiocarcinoma, where part or all of the bile duct containing the tumor is removed. Since bile duct cancers can block bile flow and can spread to nearby organs, removing the affected segment helps eliminate the primary tumor and restore bile drainage. In some cases, surrounding tissues may also be removed to ensure no cancer cells remain, and the surgery is often combined with other treatments to improve outcomes.

Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (BSO)

This involves the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is commonly used in treating or preventing ovarian cancer. Because ovarian cancer often spreads within the pelvic region, removing these organs helps eliminate the main source of cancer and reduces the risk of further spread. It is also performed as a preventive measure in high-risk individuals, such as those with inherited genetic mutations, to significantly lower the chances of developing cancer.

Amputation

Amputation is sometimes necessary in cancers like Osteosarcoma or soft tissue sarcomas that affect limbs. When the tumor is large, aggressive, or involves critical blood vessels and nerves, removing the affected limb may be the safest way to ensure complete cancer removal. This prevents the tumor from spreading to other parts of the body and can be life-saving when limb-sparing surgery is not possible.

Craniotomy

A craniotomy is performed to treat tumors associated with brain tumours. In this procedure, a section of the skull is temporarily removed to access and remove as much of the tumor as possible. This helps reduce pressure inside the skull, relieve symptoms like headaches or seizures, and eliminate cancerous tissue. It is often followed by radiation or chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

Spinal Tumor Decompression Surgery

This surgery is used when cancer spreads to the spine, leading to a spinal tumour. Tumors in the spine can compress the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, or paralysis. Decompression surgery removes part of the tumor or bone pressing on the spinal cord, relieving pressure and preventing further nerve damage. While it may not always cure the cancer, it significantly improves function and quality of life, and is often combined with other cancer treatments.

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