Fluorescent dye improves cancer surgery outcomes in India

Poonam, a woman from Kanpur, succeeded in overcoming her early-stage endometrial cancer thanks to an advanced surgical technique using a fluorescent dye. During her routine hysterectomy in Pune, doctors used Indocyanine Green (ICG) to identify cancerous lymph nodes that regular scans had missed. After the nodes were removed and she completed additional radiation therapy, she is now cancer-free. In contrast, Sheela from Haryana did not have the same luck. Her surgery lacked the ICG technique, resulting in the removal of lymph nodes that did not have cancer, while crucial cancerous nodes were overlooked. Unfortunately, this led to a recurrence of her cancer. ICG technology has significantly improved cancer surgeries worldwide, especially for cancers of the breast, colon, and esophagus. Dr. Shailesh Puntambekar, a leading onco surgeon, noted that using ICG has decreased recurrence rates by allowing targeted removal of affected lymph nodes instead of broader, indiscriminate removal. The dye is affordable, costing around Rs 1,200 per patient. However, the adoption of ICG in surgeries for uterine and endometrial cancers in India is limited. Challenges include the complex nature of the procedure, as ICG must be injected through the vagina before surgery. Most endometrial cancer surgeries in India are performed as open surgeries, which complicate the use of ICG. Also, many surgeons are not trained in laparoscopic techniques that facilitate its use. Despite these obstacles, medical experts believe ICG should be standard in treating early-stage endometrial cancers. They emphasize that the benefits in patient recovery and survival significantly outweigh the challenges of implementation. The technology has shown promise in studies, and leading cancer hospitals are beginning to adopt it. As cases of endometrial cancer rise in India, medical professionals stress the urgent need to expand the use of ICG technology. Improved patient outcomes and fewer unnecessary surgeries can result from its broader application, especially since a large majority of cases are diagnosed at an early stage.