Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai, achieved a significant milestone in minimally invasive cancer care with the successful performance of an advanced Microwave Ablation (MWA) procedure for pancreatic cancer in a 78-year-old patient from Rajapalayam. The innovative treatment was performed as part of a complex multidisciplinary surgical approach for carcinoma of the head of pancreas.
The elderly patient initially presented with yellowish discoloration of urine, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Detailed evaluation confirmed carcinoma of the pancreatic head, following which he was admitted for advanced surgical management. After comprehensive preoperative assessment involving urology, cardiology, pulmonology, endocrinology, general medicine, and anaesthesia teams, the patient underwent Bilio-Digestive Bypass with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation of the Pancreatic Tumour.
Microwave ablation is an advanced image-guided minimally invasive technique in which controlled thermal energy is delivered directly into the tumour to destroy cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. Pancreatic cancer is widely regarded as one of the most challenging cancers to treat because of its deep anatomical location and close proximity to major blood vessels and vital organs. The use of microwave ablation offers new hope, particularly for elderly or high-risk patients who may not be ideal candidates for extensive radical surgery.
The surgery was completed successfully with excellent tumour targeting and controlled blood loss. Postoperatively, the patient was managed in the intensive care unit with advanced critical care support, antibiotics, analgesia, and nutritional rehabilitation. Despite a brief episode of postoperative vomiting that was managed conservatively, the patient recovered steadily and was discharged in stable condition. Interventional Radiologists played a crucial role in the successful procedure by performing the microwave ablation under advanced ultrasound guidance. Their expertise ensured precise tumour targeting with maximum preservation of surrounding vital structures, contributing significantly to the patient’s successful recovery.
Dr. J. Madhusudhanan, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, said, “Microwave ablation represents an important advancement in the management of pancreatic tumours. This technology allows precise destruction of cancer tissue with minimal trauma, shorter recovery time, and improved quality of life, especially for elderly and high-risk patients.”
Dr. Srinivasan Ramachandran, Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, added, “Managing pancreatic cancer requires meticulous planning and multidisciplinary coordination. Combining bilio-digestive bypass with intraoperative microwave ablation helped us achieve effective tumour control while minimizing surgical stress.”
Interventional Radiologists Dr. A. John Robert and Dr. K. B. Santhosh Babu, said, “Advanced image-guided microwave ablation allows precise and targeted destruction of tumors while preserving surrounding healthy tissues. Such minimally invasive technologies are transforming cancer care by offering safer procedures, quicker recovery, and improved outcomes for high-risk patients.”
The multidisciplinary team, including Medical Gastroenterologists Dr. P. Rajesh Prabhu, Dr. C. Praveen Kumar, and Dr. V. S. Venkatesh, Anaesthetists Dr. Abdul Kadher and Dr. Ravindran, and Intensivist Dr. C. Ayyappan, played a vital role in the diagnosis, perioperative optimisation, anaesthesia management, critical care support, and comprehensive postoperative management of the patient. They emphasized that “Early diagnosis, personalised treatment planning, multidisciplinary coordination, and comprehensive postoperative care are key to improving outcomes in complex gastrointestinal cancers.”
Advanced minimally invasive therapies are transforming cancer care. This achievement highlights the strength of coordinated multidisciplinary expertise and evidence-based treatment protocols at Apollo Madurai.
Microwave ablation offers several benefits including:
• Minimally invasive treatment
• Reduced postoperative pain
• Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay
• Precise tumour targeting
• Improved suitability for elderly and high-risk patients
Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai, is equipped with advanced robotic-assisted surgical technology for Gastroenterology procedures, enabling highly precise, minimally invasive treatment for complex gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic conditions. With a team of experienced specialists and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Apollo Madurai offers robotic surgery that provides benefits such as smaller incisions, reduced pain, minimal blood loss, faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, and improved surgical precision, especially in complex cancer and GI surgeries.
This successful procedure underscores Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Madurai’s continued leadership in advanced gastrointestinal oncology and minimally invasive cancer therapies, reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class, technology-driven healthcare across South Tamil Nadu.