ONCOLOGY DEPARTMENT

NEURO ONCOLOGY
Neuro Oncology is an important and developing field of Neuroscience that primarily deals with
diagnosis and treatment of Spine tumors and complication of systemic cancer. Other topics of
interest and research are Molecular Genetics, Para neoplastic Diseases, Epilepsy and
Neurotoxicity (both central and peripheral).

The Neuro Oncology team at SRC & Super specialty seeks to offer patients and their families a
full spectrum of innovative, advanced treatments with a coordinated, team-bases approach
dedicated to maximizing quality of life. The team focuses on spinal cord tumors, including
glibolastoma and other gliomas , primary central nervous system lymphoma and metastases.
They are also expert in managing the neurologic complication of cancer and its treatment. The
team of neurosurgeon, neurologist, radiation oncologist, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and
others work to care patients, to achieve higher cure rates and longer survival, and to chart the
course of treatment for patients.

The Neuro Oncology medical staff at SRC & Super specialty specializes in using modern neuro
imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET scanning), functional magnetic
resonance imaging (FMRI) and stereotaxic to ensure the most accurate diagnostic biopsies and
maximal resection of benign and malignant primary and metastatic tumors of brain, spine, and
peripheral nerves.

Pediatric brain tumors are treated by multidisciplinary group including pediatric oncologist,
radiation oncologist and neurosurgeon.

ORTHOPEDIC ONCOLOGY SERVICES

The Department of Orthopedic Oncology at SRC & Super specialty has dedicated Bone and Soft
Tissue tumor services with specialists trained in the management of these tumors. All patients
presenting with benign or malignant bone and soft tissue tumors are managed by a
Multispecialty Team consisting of Orthopedic Oncologists, Radiologists, Pathologists, Medical
Oncologists, Reconstructive Surgeons, Surgical and Radiation Oncologists, Physiotherapists,
Counselors and Nurses. The patients managed by the Orthopedic Oncology unit include those
with:

 Primary Bone Cancers (Sarcomas, e.g. Osteosarcoma, Ewing Sarcoma and

Chondrosarcoma)
 Benign tumors/ cysts of bone (eg. giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cyst,
chondroblastoma etc.)
 Other Malignancies of Bone (eg. Myeloma, Lymphoma etc.)
 Metastatic Bone Disease (Cancers of other organs spreading to bone)
 Soft Tissue Sarcomas (Primary cancers of connective tissue other than bone)
 Tumors involving the spine
 Non Oncological Orthopedic needs of the patients receiving treatment in the hospital for
other problems
It has been established beyond doubt that the outcome of bone and soft tissue tumors is best
when managed at a specialized center dedicated to the management of these rare and complex
diseases. At centers such as ours, more than 85 percent of patients having cancers of bone are
treated with limb saving surgery. It is strongly recommended that the biopsy of a bone or soft
tissue sarcoma should be performed at the center where the patient is going to be managed
ultimately, because following an incorrectly performed biopsy, it may not be possible to save the
limb if a curative surgery is planned. Hence, a timely consultation at an appropriate center is vital
for optimal outcome of these diseases.

A large number of highly specialized surgeries are performed by the orthopedic oncology unit
at SRC & Super specialty all of which aim at adequately removing the tumor while preserving the
form and function of the limb. These include limb salvage surgery with endoprosthetic
replacement, vascularized bone auto grafts, extracorporeal radiotherapy and re implantation of
tumor bone and total femur and total humerus replacement. Limb salvage surgery for soft tissue
sarcomas, internal hemipelvectomies en bloc resections of primary spinal tumors and extended
curettage of benign aggressive bone tumors are some of the other specialized surgeries
performed by the unit. A strict adherence to evidence based principles combined with
innovations individualized to the needs of the patient form the basis of Orthopedic Oncology
management at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre.