We managed a 28-year-old male patient diagnosed with a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor who had completed four cycles of BEP chemotherapy. Post-treatment assessment demonstrated normalization of tumor markers, with persistence of a residual mediastinal lesion on imaging.
Operating on sarcomas continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences for a surgical oncologist. Each case demands not only technical mastery but also deep respect for complex anatomy and multidisciplinary collaboration.
Recently, a 50-year-old woman presented with a large retroperitoneal liposarcoma, posing considerable anatomical and technical challenges. Managing such tumors requires meticulous preoperative planning and precise intraoperative execution.
The ESOPEC trial (NEJM 2025) is a landmark phase III study directly comparing perioperative FLOT chemotherapywith neoadjuvant CROSS chemoradiotherapy in resectable esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.
The PORTEC-3 trial continues to shape our understanding of adjuvant therapy in high-risk endometrial cancer. With updated 10-year follow-up data, it provides valuable insights into survival outcomes and the role of molecular classification in guiding treatment.
Chemoradiotherapy vs Radiotherapy Alone
Long-term benefit in overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) persists with combined modality treatment.
p53-abnormal (p53-abn) tumors
Patients derive a substantial survival advantage with chemoradiotherapy.
POLE-mutated cancers
Show an excellent prognosis regardless of treatment, supporting treatment de-escalation in this subgroup.
MMR-deficient (MMRd) & NSMP groups
Outcomes highlight the need for immunotherapy approaches and further risk stratification in these subsets.
A 50-year-old woman presented with a left lumbar paraspinal schwannoma, a benign nerve sheath tumor located deep in the retroperitoneal space. MRI revealed two well-defined lesions measuring 10 × 5 cm, extending from L2 to L5, with no intracanalicular extension. She successfully underwent excision of the tumor through a transperitoneal minimally invasive approach, which provided excellent visualization, precise dissection, and safe tumor removal.
Although retroperitoneal masses are often considered a relative contraindication for laparoscopic surgery, in this case the patient underwent safe paraspinal mass removal with no intraoperative complications, minimal blood loss, and faster recovery compared to conventional open surgery.
The postoperative course was uneventful; the patient recovered smoothly and was discharged on the 4th postoperative day without neurological deficits or perioperative complications.
A 52-year-old woman diagnosed with well-differentiated carcinoma endometrium, FIGO stage I, successfully underwent laparoscopic staging surgery. The procedure involved total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy.
The minimally invasive laparoscopic approach provided superior visualization of pelvic anatomy, enabled precise dissection, and ensured an adequate lymph node yield for accurate staging.
Evidence from multiple clinical studies confirms that laparoscopic surgery for early-stage endometrial cancer achieves oncological outcomes equivalent to open surgery, while offering significant benefits to patients. These include:
This case was completed smoothly, with no intraoperative complications, and the patient experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.
Minimally invasive surgery continues to establish itself as the standard of care in early-stage endometrial cancer, combining oncological safety with patient-centered benefits
For the very first time at SDM Hospital, Dharwad, our Surgical Oncology team led by Dr. Pavan Kumar C G has successfully performed HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) for a patient with advanced ovarian cancer.
This milestone marks a new era in cancer care for patients across Hubli, Dharwad, and North Karnataka, who can now access this advanced treatment much closer to home.
Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive gastrointestinal malignancies, often presenting late and requiring a multimodal approach for effective management. With the advent of minimally invasive and thoracoscopic techniques, surgical outcomes have improved, offering patients quicker recovery and reduced post-operative complications.
Infertility is a well-recognized short- and long-term consequence of cancer treatment. For young patients, particularly women diagnosed with gynecological malignancies, the ability to preserve fertility is of paramount importance. Beyond medical outcomes, fertility preservation directly impacts psychosocial wellbeing, as most patients express a strong preference for biological parenthood over alternatives such as adoption or surrogacy.
At a recent seminar at KCTRI, Hubli, organised by Fertility Preservation Society of India (FPSI) Dr. Pavan Kumar C G addressed the principles, techniques, and clinical evidence behind fertility-sparing surgeries (FSS) in gynecological cancers, underscoring their role in balancing oncologic safety with reproductive potential.
We recently managed a rare and technically demanding case of parapharyngeal schwannoma at the Department of Surgical Oncology, SDM Medical College and Hospital.
