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GI & HPB cancer cases at Dwarika Hospital are evaluated by an experienced surgical team led by Dr. Avinash Tank with multidisciplinary tumour board input.
Warning Signs that Need Cancer Evaluation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent fatigue or weakness
- Ongoing pain not settling with basic treatment
- Lumps, swelling or thickening in any part of the body
- Changes in the skin (new or changing moles, discoloration, non-healing ulcer)
- Unusual bleeding or discharge (stool, urine, vomit, cough)
- Chronic cough, difficulty swallowing, or persistent change in bowel habits
*These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they should be evaluated by a specialist — especially if they persist or worsen.
Department of Cancer Surgeries (GI & HPB)
What are Cancer Surgeries?
Cancer surgery is a treatment in which cancerous tumors or tissues are removed from the body. For many gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) cancers, surgery is one of the main treatment options and often offers the best chance of long-term control or cure when feasible.
Cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way and can invade surrounding organs or spread to distant sites (metastasis). In the GI and HPB area this may involve the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, stomach, small intestine, colon-rectum, esophagus, anal canal and GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumors). At Dwarika Hospital, Ahmedabad, the cancer surgery team focuses on evidence-based, organ-focused surgery combined with medical oncology, radiation oncology and supportive care.
Types of Cancer Surgeries & Procedures Commonly Performed
- Curative (Radical) Surgery: complete removal of the tumor with adequate margins and lymph nodes where possible.
- Debulking / Cytoreductive Surgery: removal of as much tumor as safely possible when complete removal is not feasible.
- Palliative Surgery: procedures to relieve obstruction, bleeding or pain and improve quality of life.
- Reconstructive & Restorative Surgery: restoring continuity of the digestive tract (anastomosis, stoma closure etc.).
- Advanced Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery: laparoscopy, 3D laparoscopy and robotic-assisted cancer surgery wherever appropriate.
Role of Surgery in GI & HPB Cancers
For liver, pancreas, stomach, colon-rectum, bile duct, gallbladder, esophagus, anal canal and GIST tumors, surgery is often the central component of treatment when the disease is operable. In some situations, surgery is combined with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy to improve outcomes.
If there is underlying liver cirrhosis or complex medical problems, the decision for surgery becomes more delicate. The team at Dwarika Hospital, Ahmedabad evaluates liver function, overall fitness, staging of cancer and discusses all options before recommending any major cancer operation.
Cancer Surgeries & Treatments
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer surgery (hepatectomy) involves removing the part of the liver affected by tumor, when liver function and stage of disease allow. At Dwarika Hospital, expert assessment of liver reserve, cirrhosis status and tumor spread is done before planning any liver resection or transplant referral. Some patients may also need ablation, embolization or systemic treatment along with surgery.
Pancreas
Pancreatic cancer surgery (such as Whipple procedure or distal pancreatectomy) is complex and requires high-volume expertise. It is considered when the tumor is resectable and patient fitness allows. The goal is to remove the tumor, nearby nodes and relieve jaundice or obstruction. Some patients may receive chemotherapy before or after surgery.
Gall-bladder Cancer
Gall-bladder cancer may be found incidentally after gallbladder removal or during evaluation of jaundice and pain. Depending on stage, surgery may involve removing the gallbladder with part of the liver and regional lymph nodes to achieve adequate margins. Multidisciplinary planning with oncology is crucial for best outcomes.
Bile Duct Cancer
Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) may arise inside or outside the liver. Surgery can include removal of bile ducts with part of liver or pancreas, and reconstruction of the bile drainage. Many patients also need stenting, drainage or additional oncology treatment as part of a combined approach.
Esophagus Cancer
Esophageal cancer surgery (esophagectomy) removes the affected portion of the food pipe and reconstructs it using stomach or intestine. It is often combined with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for better control. Minimally invasive and hybrid approaches are used where suitable.
Stomach
Stomach cancer surgery (partial or total gastrectomy) removes the tumor along with lymph nodes and then reconstructs the digestive tract so food can still pass. Early detection allows more organ-preserving options, while advanced cases may need combined treatment with chemotherapy.
Small Intestine
Tumors of the small intestine are less common but may cause bleeding, obstruction or pain. Surgery typically removes the affected segment with adequate margins and reconnects the bowel. Choice of open vs laparoscopic approach depends on size, location and spread of disease.
Colon-Rectum
Colon and rectal cancer surgery involves removing the tumor-bearing segment of large intestine and nearby lymph nodes, and reconnecting the bowel where possible. In some rectal cancers, a temporary or permanent stoma may be required. Modern techniques aim to preserve continence and quality of life while achieving good cancer control.
Anal Canal
Anal canal cancers may be treated with a combination of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and, in selected cases, surgery. When surgery is required, the aim is to remove the tumor while preserving sphincter function where possible, or to create a safe stoma when necessary.
GIST
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) arise from the wall of the GI tract. Surgery aims to remove the tumor with clear margins while preserving as much normal organ as possible. Targeted medicines may be used before or after surgery depending on tumor size, location and mutation profile.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy uses medicines that help the body’s own immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. For some GI cancers with specific markers, immunotherapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy or other treatments as part of a personalized plan.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer medicines to shrink tumors, reduce the chance of spread or control advanced disease. It can be given before surgery (neoadjuvant), after surgery (adjuvant) or as primary treatment where surgery is not feasible. Regimens are tailored to the type and stage of cancer.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy uses precisely focused high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, helping to control or shrink tumors. In GI and HPB cancers it may be used before surgery to downstage tumors, after surgery for local control, or for symptom relief in advanced disease.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic-assisted cancer surgery enhances surgeon precision using wristed instruments and 3D visualisation. It can be particularly useful in deep pelvic or complex upper-abdominal cancers, aiming for smaller cuts, better ergonomics and precise dissection where appropriate.
3D Surgery
3D laparoscopy provides depth perception and enhanced visual clarity, helping surgeons perform complex GI cancer operations through small incisions. This can translate into less pain, shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery for suitable patients.
Key Hole / Scarless Surgery
Keyhole (laparoscopic) and selected “scar-minimising” approaches use small incisions and specialised instruments to treat suitable cancers. Benefits may include less blood loss, reduced pain and faster return to routine activities, while maintaining oncologic safety in properly chosen cases.
Cancer Surgeries & Treatments
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer surgery removes tumor-bearing liver segments when liver function and stage permit. At Dwarika Hospital, detailed imaging and liver function assessment guide safe planning, often in collaboration with oncology and interventional radiology.
Pancreas
Pancreatic cancer operations like Whipple procedure are major surgeries done only after thorough staging and risk assessment. The goal is to remove the tumor, relieve jaundice or obstruction and then coordinate further oncological treatment if needed.
Gall-bladder Cancer
Depending on stage, gall-bladder cancer surgery may require extended removal of liver tissue and lymph nodes. Early diagnosis offers more options; advanced disease often needs combined medical and surgical care.
Bile Duct Cancer
Bile duct cancer surgery aims to clear the tumor and reconstruct bile drainage. Some patients may need stenting or drainage first to improve jaundice before major surgery.
Esophagus Cancer
Esophagectomy is done in carefully selected cases, often after chemo-radiotherapy. Reconstruction is performed using stomach or small intestine to restore swallowing.
Stomach
Stomach cancer surgery removes part or all of the stomach with lymph nodes. Patients receive diet counselling to adjust to new eating patterns after surgery.
Small Intestine
Surgery for small intestine tumors removes the diseased segment and reconnects the bowel. This can relieve obstruction, bleeding or pain and allows pathological diagnosis.
Colon Rectum
Colon and rectal cancer surgery removes the tumor-bearing colon or rectum along with lymph nodes. Depending on tumor level, sphincter-preserving surgery or stoma creation may be required.
Anal Canal
Treatment for anal canal cancers often includes chemoradiation, with surgery reserved for selected or persistent cases. The approach is tailored to preserve continence and quality of life as far as possible.
GIST
For GIST, complete surgical removal with intact capsule is important. Targeted medicines may be used in addition based on tumor size and risk profile.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy may be an option for certain advanced or recurrent GI cancers that express specific markers. It is usually managed by the oncology team in coordination with the surgical unit.
Chemotherapy
Systemic chemotherapy can shrink tumors, reduce recurrence risk after surgery, or control advanced disease. Treatment cycles and combinations depend on cancer type and stage.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy focuses radiation on tumor-bearing areas for local control, symptom relief or as part of combined treatment with surgery and chemotherapy.
Robotic Surgery
Robotic-assisted procedures support precise dissection in complex pelvic or upper abdominal cancers, aiming for faster recovery and fine oncologic clearance where appropriate.
3D Surgery
3D laparoscopy provides depth perception and clear visualisation, helping surgeons safely perform complex GI cancer operations through keyhole incisions.
Key Hole / Scarless Surgery
Keyhole and scar-minimising approaches aim to reduce incision size while maintaining oncologic safety for appropriate tumors. Benefits often include less pain, smaller scars and quicker mobilisation post-surgery.
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Testimonials
What Our Patients Say About Dwarika Hospital
*Individual results vary. Testimonials are based on personal experiences shared by patients. Please consult our doctors for personalised medical advice.
Latest News & Health Updates
Our Stories, Surgery Results & Patient Education
Advanced Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery in Ahmedabad
Dwarika Hospital, led by Dr. Avinash Tank, now offers a wider range of laparoscopic & bariatric procedures for obesity, gallbladder, hernia, appendix and GI diseases with modern OT and strict safety protocols.
May 03, 2024 by Dwarika Hospital Team
Gastro & Liver Health Awareness Programs
Our doctors regularly conduct gastro & liver health awareness sessions to guide patients on gas–acidity, fatty liver, jaundice, stone disease and lifestyle changes that help prevent major surgery. (Verify with clinician.)
April 18, 2024 by Dr. Avinash Tank
Obesity & Weight Loss Clinic – Patient Stories
Many patients from Ahmedabad and outside choose our weight loss surgery (bariatric surgery) program for long-term results. With dietician follow-up and counselling, we focus on safe, sustainable transformation.
March 10, 2024 by Bariatric Team – Dwarika
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