What does robotic surgery mean in cancer treatment? 

The traditional surgical method to remove tumors has been used for years to treat cancer. Nowadays as the technology is evolving, minimally invasive surgeries are getting famous. One such surgery is robotic surgery.  

Many people misunderstand the term robotic surgery for robots performing operations. Whereas in reality, skilled surgeons operate robotic technology to perform such surgeries while keeping everything under their control. 

Robotic surgeries involve using robotic arms which are controlled by surgeons who precisely operate. The arms of the robots are used as laparoscopes and other instruments to make incisions and remove the tumor.  

Traditionally open surgeries are done by making a big incision and performing the surgery. This makes the patient prone to many infections causing organisms that can worsen the condition of the patients. In contrast, robotic surgeries are done by making an inch-long incision to perform the complete operation, hence the chances of getting an infection are much less. 

Types of cancer treated with robotic surgery 

Robotic surgery is being used to treat different types of cancer worldwide.  It is used to perform operations on urological, colorectal, oral, and gynecological organ systems and related cancer types.

These surgeries are FDA-approved and many other types of cancer surgeries are under examination and approval methods. 

This minimally invasive surgery got into the limelight due to its precision, functional results, the better quality of operation, and minimal complications that it offers. It has provided shorter surgery time with reduced side effects.  

Several types of cancer can be treated with robotic surgery easily, which are: 

1. Colorectal cancer 

2. Lung cancer 

3. Kidney cancer 

4. Head and neck cancer 

5. Oral cancer 

6. Pancreatic cancer 

7. Thyroid cancer 

8. Prostate cancer 

9. Esophageal cancer 

10. Gynecological cancer 

There are other robotic surgeries as well which are done to treat cancer from many types of cancer.

Some of them are radical nephrectomy, trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) and radical Hysterectomy, and other gynecological procedures.

All these procedures and surgeries are quite important and help patients get rid of tumors. 

What to expect 

When robotic surgery is performed, the two robotics arms are the main part of the tool which helps the surgeon to operate. The surgeon takes control of the two arms of robotic equipment from a console.

The surgeon operates these arms with a joystick and maintains the movement of these robotic arms.   

The surgeon will make a small incision at the site of the tumor and insert equipment and a camera inside the body. This camera helps to get an image of the inside of the body. After locating the tumor, it will be removed from the body.  

The robotic arms respond to the movement made by the surgeon and perform in the same manner. These robotic arms can be set to automatic to let the machine calculate and analyze for precise movements and removal of tumors.  

As you get to know that you will go under robot-assisted surgery, then consult your doctor before to know more about the procedure. Follow the directions and manage things before the surgery. It will be an overnight surgery and it may take a few days to recover from the surgery.  

Suggest a doctor for diet and exercise advice. It is advised to share details about any other medical condition you may be suffering from. Ask the doctor beforehand for any dietary restrictions. If you experience any side effects after surgery, contact a doctor as soon as possible. 

Benefits of robotic surgery 

Robotic surgery is one such invention that is completely changing the medical field. It makes complex surgeries easier by providing a better view of organs. Generally, it is much safer than traditional surgical methods.  

These robotic arms provide a high-definition, 3D view of organs which lets the surgeon get a better view of the site of operation as compared to the traditional method. The robotic arms provide a greater range of movement and can reach places easily which were hard to reach in the traditional way of surgery. 

Some of the most basic advantages of robotic surgery are; 

• Smaller incisions are made 
• Less wound scarring of incision 
• Less painful 
• Reduced blood loss during surgery 
• Lower risk of getting an infection  
• Shorter recovery period 
• Hospital stays for a shorter duration 

Complications involved 

As a modern technology, robotic surgery has many advantages but on the other hand, it also has a few limitations. The major limitations are listed below: 

• The cost of robotic surgery is quite expensive. The cost of installation of these equipment and robotic tools is high enough to make the overall surgery costly. It also requires proper maintenance which can add up to it becoming this expensive.  
• The operation of these robotic technologies requires specialized skills. This expertise is only mastered by a few surgeons who have years of experience. Not any surgeon can operate these instruments and perform the surgery. 
• As it is a machine, after all, robotic instruments may experience any mechanical failure or breakdown. It can become a major issue for the robotic equipment to experience any such error and hinder the operation. Even though the possibility of such events is minute. 

How can cancer rounds help you? 

Cancer Rounds helps hundreds of cancer patients get treatment from top hospitals in India. We are in association with many top-class oncologists who have treated millions of cancer patients and saved their lives. These doctors are skilled with multiple years of experience.  

Send us a query to contact an oncologist today!  

Send Enquiry

Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in today’s world. Many people around the world suffer from cancer every day. The exact reason and cause for many types of cancer are still unknown but some factors are contributing to increasing the risk of certain cancers.  

The cases are increasing at a higher rate. Researchers have studied the prevalence of cancer and it is observed that one out of nine Indians will develop cancer once in their lifetime. Hence cancer is becoming one of the major causes of death.  

Many things could lead to cancer in a patient. One of the major factors is lifestyle changes and habits. Cancer is one of the lifestyle diseases that can be caused by lifestyle habits. It majorly involves eating habits, drinking, physical activities, etc.  

Genetic changes are also one of the major causes of cancer that is observed in 5 to 10% of patients. This implies that although we cannot prevent cancer, we can largely reduce the risk of cancer. This can be done by implementing lifestyle changes into your daily life. 

Things that are the most common cause of cancer 

There are numerous causes of cancer but some of the factors are common in many types of cancer. Some of these factors are: 

• Tobacco consumption 

Tobacco is one of the most common factors that cause cancer. Most of the Indian population consumes tobacco daily. Tobacco is the single factor that can cause different types of cancers. Consumption of tobacco can lead to mouth, tongue, throat, lung, cervical cancer, etc.   

Chewing tobacco in any form such as Tabaku, Gutka, pan masala, etc. Can lead to mouth and throat cancer. Other forms of tobacco intake such as vaping, smoking cigarettes, hookah, etc. are also harmful and can lead to cancer. 

Taking tobacco in any form is hazardous to health, hence must be prohibited. Tobacco chewing is quite common in rural India and oral cancer is one of the most common types of cancer which affects village people.  

The risk of cancer due to tobacco can be reduced by quitting the consumption of tobacco. Although most people find it difficult to quit, there are many ways to help them.  

There are many support groups and communities which help people quit smoking and tobacco intake. Professional health is also available in hospitals and clinics.  

• Alcohol consumption 

It is a well-known fact that alcohol consumption is harmful to health. Alcohol is known to disrupt the functioning of the kidneys and liver, but it is also one of the major factors that can increase the risk of cancer. 

Alcohol consumption can make a person more prone to mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and breast cancer. Usually, we consider a high amount of consumption of alcohol with cancer which is true of some types of cancer. But even a small amount of alcohol consumption can lead to cancer such as breast cancer.  

Excess consumption of alcohol not only increases the risk of having cancer, but also increases the risk of having other lifestyle diseases such as hypertension, liver diseases, anxiety, and depression.  

The risk of cancer from alcohol can be reduced by reducing the amount of alcohol intake. A person who is addicted to alcohol can take professional help and quit drinking.  

• Intaking processed food 

In today’s running world, many of us don’t have time to prepare healthy food at home. Therefore, a lot of working people prefer consuming processed food items that are ready to eat. Processed food items include many things such as chips, bread, packed milk, juices, etc. These food items that have already been cooked, frozen, canned, cured, packaged, etc. to preserve them, are known as processed foods.  

Most of the food items in our fridge and pantry are processed food. It may be difficult to avoid eating these items, but with daily habits and strong determination, these food items can get replaced with healthy fresh food.  

Anyone can avoid intaking such items by making small changes in their daily life food choices. You can make a list of grocery items before going to the market and avoid purchasing processed food items or buy more fruits and vegetables to avoid eating processed food. You can make more time for cooking and try out new recipes to enjoy your meal.  

These small changes can have a lot more positive effects on you than you can think of.  

• Limited physical activity 

It is quite common for most people to say that they have desk jobs, and they don’t get time for exercise or gym. Limited physical activity can increase the risk of cancer. Sitting for hours can lead to obesity which is one of the major risk factors for cancer.  

Not only cancer, but obesity can lead to many other lifestyle disorders such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc.  

Exercising daily for at least 30 min can reduce this risk drastically. Normal exercises such as jogging, cardio, yoga, swimming, cycling or running, etc can help a person stay out of the risk zone of having cancer.  

• Unhealthy food 

There are several unhealthy food items that an individual usually takes daily, which can lead to cancer. Food items such as sugary drinks, raw meat, undercooked seafood, processed cheese, flavored dairy products, etc. Are associated with increasing the risk of cancer.  

Cold drinks and processed juices have higher sugar levels than fresh fruit juices. These sugary contents are associated with causing obesity which eventually leads to cancer. Therefore, these sugary drinks are risk factors for cancer.  

Other food items like undercooked seafood or raw meat are associated with stomach cancer and intestine cancer. To avoid such diseases, one must quit eating these food items and switch to healthy food, such as protein, beans, green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, etc.  

Adding healthy food to the diet can improve your immune system and help your body fight against cancer cells at an early stage.  

Cancer rounds are one such organization that helps people suffering from cancer get a consultation from India’s top doctors. We work with patients and doctors to build a bridge of reliability and provide the best treatment available to the patients. You can send us a query and our team will contact you. 

What is the quality of life for cancer patients? 

Quality of life is a dynamic term. It involves many aspects of life be it physical, mental, or social.

It is a broad term that may have different meanings for different individuals. It may sound different for cancer patients as compared to normal healthy human beings.  

A lot of people suffer from cancer every year. They get treatment and depending upon the overall health of a patient, the recovery period may vary.

Some people recover quickly while some take years. Even though the chance of recurrence is similar for a type of cancer.  

This article broadly defines the quality of life in the sight of cancer patients and how you can improve it.  

What does QOL include? 

The quality of life of a cancer patient depends on many factors. It includes many things such as physical health, mental health, social health, and other aspects of life. These factors are discussed below briefly: 

Physical health –

This includes overall energy, strength, and organ functionality. In cancer patients, it is much more important to take care of the physical health of the patient. The physical well-being of a cancer patient may look different compared to a normal healthy individual.  

Cancer patients may experience pain in their bodies which may restrict their ability to do basic activities. It is crucial during the time of recovery to indulge in some minor physical activities to make the body healthier. It helps to provide relief from symptoms.  

Mental health –

Mental health is a way to convey the ability to control and sense emotions. During diseases like cancer which drain out not only the body but also the mind of the patient, it is important to maintain a healthy mindset.  

Being overemotional can physically weaken the patient. It is also required to accept the condition and balance the aspects of life towards a positive future. Most commonly cancer patients experience depression, anger, stress, and suicidal thoughts.  

It is necessary to become strong-willed to win the battle against cancer. Mental distress and altered priorities in life can bring fear of the unknown in the patient’s life. Many patients join support groups and communities to see the positive side of life.  

Social Interactions –

We majorly focus on the physical and mental health of a person, but we underestimate the other factors that can help a cancer patient to get well soon.  

We must understand how much positive impact it can have on a patient’s life when they feel the presence of their loved ones. The involvement of family and friends in the recovery session can bring drastic improvement to the patient’s body. These interactions can improve the ability of the patient to deal with the hurdles of cancer.  

Factors affecting QOL 

Several factors can affect the quality of life of a cancer patient, some of which are as follows: 

• Age – Age is one of the major factors that affect the quality of life for a cancer patient. As age increases the quality of life after cancer treatment decreases. As the human body becomes weak and the immune system also weakens over some time.  

Generally, older cancer patients experience many side effects and symptoms of cancer which also take a longer time to heal. Patients who are over the age of 50 require much care and support.  

• Stage of cancer – The stage at which cancer is diagnosed in a patient impacts the quality of life among cancer patients. Patients with advanced stages of cancer are less likely to get cured. It is observed that patients who got diagnosed with cancer at lower stages have a better quality of life. 

• Overall health – A cancer patient can get treatment for cancer and live a better life, but the case gets complicated if the patient also suffers from other illnesses. Some of the most common diseases observed in many cancer patients are diabetes, hypertension, cardiac diseases, and depression.  

It gets difficult to treat cancer if a person is already suffering from other lifestyle diseases. It decreases the quality of life for a cancer patient. Depending upon the type of disease, stage of cancer, and type of cancer the quality of life varies for different patients. 

• Cancer Treatment – The main treatment option that is used to treat cancer in a patient is decided by the doctor. It depends on many things such as the overall health of the patient, type of cancer, stage of cancer, age of the patient, etc.  

Getting the right type of treatment at the right time can majorly impact the quality of life of the patient. Along the way of treatment, it is advised to take steps to support a better quality of life.  

• Financial factors – Cancer treatment consists of many things. It involves diagnostic tests, treatment methods, hospital stays, medicines, recovery, and follow-up consultations. All these things can become a major burden for cancer patients and their loved ones.  

The overall cost of treatment for different types of cancer can vary a lot. Many types of diagnostic tests are specific for a specific type of cancer. This financial stress can eventually affect the physical and mental health of a patient which can decline the quality of life for the patient.  

Ways to improve QOL 

There are several ways to improve the quality of life of a cancer patient. Some of the lifestyle changes may be required by the patient to make in their daily life after treatment. These changes can help the patient live longer and have a healthy life, such as: 

• Physical activities  

Studies have shown that patients who exercise daily or do some physical activity can help them recover faster from treatment side effects. Doing small activities like walking, swimming, jogging, running, yoga or cycling according to your ability can help you manage your side effects and build muscle strength.  

Physical activities build muscle strength and provide the patient with a sense of achievement. This not only works best for the body to recover quickly, but mentally also a patient gets satisfaction. During the recovery period, it becomes more important to manage both mental and physical health. 

• Social interactions 

As discussed above, social interaction with family and friends can improve the overall health of cancer patients which eventually improves their quality of life for them. Mental support from family, friends, partners or medical staff can fall under the term social support. The presence of a person who cares about the patient can give them the feeling of warmth and love they require to recover quickly.  

Many patients also join support groups and communities to interact with people going through the same phase of their life and provide support to each other. It can help spread awareness and help reduce any negative behavior changes in a cancer patient.  

• Side effect management 

Cancer patients can experience many symptoms during and after cancer treatment. Some of the major side effects are pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, etc. Apart from these common symptoms, numerous other side effects affect many cancer patients during their cancer journey.  

These symptoms can affect the normal daily activities in a person’s life and hinder many activities.  

You can ask your doctor to prescribe you medication to control these symptoms. With time as the body recovers, these symptoms will reduce on their own.  

• Emotional management 

Cancer can make a patient overwhelmed by the amount of time they spend in hospitals, experiencing different symptoms and pain they go through mentally and physically. This can be exhausting for any patient.  

It is important to keep your senses strong and look for the positive aspects of life. During the time of treatment and recovery, it becomes difficult to look forward to a better future. Consult your doctor and ask questions to get a better view of the treatment.  

Patient education entails a variety of educational items that assist in improving understanding of their ailment, treatment, and preventative actions. It will help to keep the patient emotionally clear about the outcomes and quality of life after treatment. 

• Counseling  

It is often advised by doctors to get counseling after treatment. It helps the patient to cope with emotional distress and its reaction. It also helps to manage side effects and other personal issues related to cancer. Cognitive-behavioral therapy involves changing negative ideas and behaviors connected with cancer with more beneficial ones. 

How can Cancer Rounds help?

We are one such organization that assists cancer patients at any stage of cancer to get the best treatment from India’s top doctors.

We have worked with thousands of patients and supported them during their battle with cancer to get world-class treatment in the finest hospitals in India.

People across the country have received different types of cancer treatment in top cancer hospitals through us. To get a consultation from the best oncologists, contact us.

Even on ordinary days, diet and food intake are important for a healthy life. But it becomes much more important for someone who is suffering from cancer. Cancer can hinder the growth of other healthy cells by taking up all the energy from food.  

This causes side effects during and after treatment. These side effects can be controlled through dietary supplements and organic food items. There are doctors that can help you plan your diet. 

Registered dietitians have received specialized training in the dietary requirements of persons suffering from certain ailments. Your dietician can assist you in planning meals that provide you with the appropriate quantity of calories and nutrients. 

Why is diet important for cancer? 

Cancer treatment can lead to different side effects which also include loss of appetite. This could lead to weight loss and other severe problems.

A well-balanced diet can help the patient to maintain a healthy weight, which is really important during treatment. During chemotherapy and radiation therapy, it becomes crucial to maintain a healthy weight. Obtaining a healthy weight through a nutrition-rich diet can help: 

• Assist in the management of side effects of cancer treatment 
• Increase your energy and muscle through protein intake 
• Maintain immunological function to avoid getting infections 
• Inflammation should be reduced 

Before treatment 

After getting diagnosed with cancer, the doctor will let you know all the possible treatment options that could help you.

The major treatment methods are surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. These methods are most commonly used to treat any type of cancer depending upon the stage of cancer.  

Even before the treatment starts, a patient must take a nutrient-rich diet to ensure that they have a body that can get under the treatment method. Usually, the treatment is not harmful, but the drugs used for cancer are high-dose and may cause several side effects.  

You may not know what side effects the treatment method can cause, as different individuals suffer from different types of side effects. There will be days when you might not want to eat anything. So, so it is advised to eat before and at least make the body strong enough to resist some of the side effects.  

Before treatment is the best time to plan for future meals as well. You can add nuts, yogurt, different vegetables, and multiple grains to your diet. Ask your doctor for any other add-ons that you must have in your diet. 

During treatment 

For many people, the day of treatment is quite overwhelming, and they may feel nervous, which can eventually affect their appetite. There will be days when you will be hungry and days when you don’t want to eat anything at all. So, it is important that you eat on days that you feel like eating. You can even ask your doctor for certain medications for your side effects after a treatment session.  

Try to intake more protein and calories during your treatment sessions. The protein will help you to keep your body strong and repair the damaged cells. Ingest protein-rich food like eggs, milk, milk products, meat, etc. If you are on chemotherapy, try to take more liquid intake such as juices, water, and other drinks.  

Consult your doctor or nutritionist beforehand and make a diet chart for yourself during cancer treatment.  

After treatment 

After treatment, it is essential to keep the diet more nutrient-rich. The recovery period is mostly about taking protein and calories as much as possible.

Many people experience weakness following the treatment of cancer. Nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms are prevalent in patients. To alleviate these symptoms, a well-balanced diet high in nutrients and calories is required.

The patient’s diet should include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D since these are the major elements that will aid in the patient’s recovery. 

If you suffer from any other condition, then consult your doctor for a better diet plan and things you must avoid.  

How to manage side effects? 

There are many side effects of cancer treatment that can affect the patient during and after treatment. It may take some time to get over these side effects, but with dietary changes, it becomes easier to take control of them.

Some of the changes that you can implement in your diet according to the side effects are: 

• Appetite loss – Instead of eating 3 full meals have short multiple meals. Eat nutrition-rich food which must include vitamin D, calcium, protein, carbohydrates, zinc, etc.  

• Constipation – Try to drink more water and fiber-rich food items. You can include green leafy vegetables in your meals such as spinach, kale, moringa, cabbage, etc.  

• Diarrhea – Take drinks and food which are rich in sodium and potassium ions such as broth, bananas, fruit juices, etc.  

• Taste loss – It is quite often observed that many patients experience loss of taste after treatment. This can be controlled or overcome by taking strong spices and strong flavor food items such as lemon. 

• Nausea – Nausea is the most common side effect of cancer treatment. Taking antinausea food and supplements can help you control this feeling of nausea. Food items such as citrus, peppermint, and ginger can help with nausea.