Mumbai: Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has successfully treated Asha Makwana, a post-menopausal woman whose life was saved through surgery after a routine health check-up led to her diagnosis. Despite having no symptoms, Makwana’s daughter persistently encouraged her to undergo a routine examination, which led to the early detection of a precancerous condition, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasm Type 3 (CIN 3).
Cervical cancer is a common cancer in females. Cervix is the part of the uterus which gets affected by cancer. In early stages and in precancerous stages it can be easily cured by surgery alone but if detected at advanced stage then the treatment process is more prolonged and toxic in the form of radiation and chemotherapy and in the fourth stage it is incurable most of the time. So, it is extremely important to detect it early. The patient first met Dr Reetu Jain, Director Bone Marrow Transplant & Medical Oncologist, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre who then referred the case to Dr Vishnu Agarwal, Consultant Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre.
Makwana underwent robotic surgery at the hospital by Dr Agarwal and his team which consisted of surgeon Dr Sadashiv Chaudhari and anaesthetist Dr Mohit Rohra. The uterus and ovaries were removed and carefully examined the lymph nodes to ensure there was no disease spread. The advanced robotic surgical technique provided a pain-free and swift recovery, with Makwana up and moving the morning after surgery, eliminating the need for an ICU stay. The minimally invasive procedure involved only small keyhole incisions, significantly reducing the risk of complications and leading to a faster recovery.Dr Agarwal, emphasised the critical importance of routine health screenings, particularly for women over the age of 45. He said, “It was the routine pap smear that detected the precancerous cells in Mrs Makwana, which, if left untreated, could have progressed to cervical cancer. Early detection through regular check-ups not only prevented the need for toxic treatments like radiation and chemotherapy but also eliminated the future risk of cervical cancer. Mrs Makwana’s case is a testament to how early detection and advanced surgical techniques can change the course of a patient’s life.”
Dr Milind Khadke, Director, Medical Services, Jaslok Hospital, remarked, “This case highlights the dual importance of routine health checks and the role of minimally invasive surgery in modern medicine. Early detection through regular screenings not only helps in managing health conditions more effectively but also paves the way for quicker recovery and better patient outcomes.”
Approximately five lakh cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually worldwide, with around two lakh women losing their lives to the disease each year. Alarmingly, 70 per cent of these women have never undergone any screening tests that could have detected precancerous lesions and prevented these deaths. Early detection of these lesions allows for effective management through simple treatments or, in some cases, the removal of the uterus, preventing the progression to cancer. This highlights the critical importance of regular screening and early intervention in saving lives.
