09/02/2021

HRCPP performs unprecedented procedure: removal of two distinct tumors in the same surgery

Patient had breast cancer and discovered metastasis in the liver; procedure allows improvement in the quality of life of cancer patients

By Amanda Albuquerque / HRCPP Press Officer

The Regional Cancer Hospital of Presidente Prudente (HRCPP) performed an unprecedented procedure through the union between the Department of Gynecology and Mastology with the Department of Surgery of the Digestive System and the support of Clinical Oncology. It was the removal of two distinct tumors from a patient who had breast cancer and discovered a metastasis in the liver. Therefore, to ensure the improvement of the patient, the departments opted to perform both surgeries in the same anesthetic act, that is, to work the removal of both tumors in the same surgery.

The surgeons responsible for the procedure were Geraldo Siqueira and Rafael Mello (digestive tract surgery) and Rafael Sá and Raquel Voh Ah Rodrigues (mastology) accompanied by a multidisciplinary team.

According to mastologist Rafael Sá, the advantages of a joint surgical therapy are many. “Surgical optimization, that is, the patient does only one procedure and receives only general anesthesia; we have the advantage that the patient uses less chemotherapy, reducing the side effects of the treatment and reducing the costs for the institution; and also increase the prognosis of this patient ”, explains the mastologist.

The indocyanine green protocol was also used, which allows visualization of the lymphatic drainage in real time, brings less risk of allergy and the breast will become permanently red and has a shorter surgical time.

For hepatobiliopancreatic surgeon, Rafael Mello, this procedure was only performed due to the interconnection between the departments that aims to care for patients with the highest possible quality.

“Thus, we performed both procedures, in a single anesthetic act, on the same day, trying to benefit the patient as much as possible and obtain the best possible cancer treatment result”, concludes Mello.