Lung Cancer Specialist in Mumbai
Patients can approach Dr. George Karimundackal, Surgical Oncologist – Thoracic Surgery, Director of the robotic thoracic surgery program at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital for Lung Cancer Treatment in Mumbai. He is a thoracic surgeon of international repute, with several important publications in thoracic oncology.
Considered a leading lung cancer specialist in Mumbai, Dr. George Karimundackal and his team are well-versed with the latest surgical treatments and procedures available to treat lung cancer.
Each patient’s treatment plan is tailored to their needs, ensuring they receive the best care based on the latest medical advancements. He has trained many fellows who have established a successful practice in various parts of the country, over the years.
Dr. George Karimundackal's expertise in thoracic oncology includes
- Evidence-based yet personalised management of lung malignancies
- Video Assisted Thoracoscopic (keyhole) Surgery
- Robotic surgery
- Complex thoracic surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass
- Benign thoracic surgical procedures for tuberculosis and other infections
- Surgery for emphysema, bronchiectasis etc
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. It typically occurs in people who smoke, but it can also occur in non-smokers. Dr. George Karimundackal is recognized as a prominent thoracic surgeon in Mumbai, known for his exceptional expertise and patient care.
Now let’s understand
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Who should be worried about developing lung cancer?
Any person who has a significant smoking history (more than a pack a day/30 years or more) has an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Recent trends have also seen younger patients, never smokers and women developing lung cancer.
What are the common symptoms of lung cancer?
- Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Bloody sputum
- Breathlessness on minimal exertion
- Unexplained loss of weight and appetite
Who should consult a thoracic oncologist ?
If you have a significant smoking history and develop any of the symptoms listed above- If the symptoms are significant, even if you have not been a smoker
- Your general physician or pulmonologist has found any suspicious lesion in your chest X-ray or CT scan
The thoracic oncologist will do the following in your initial visit/s:
- Detailed history and clinical examination
Review your existing reports- Ask for a biopsy: Depending upon the clinical examination and location of the tumour on imaging, this biopsy may be bronchoscopy guided or image (USG/ CT) guided. The biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis and establishes the type of lung cancer
- Further imaging as indicated, including a PET scan and MRI Brain. These tests establish the stage of the disease
- Tests for functional evaluation and surgical fitness as indicated
About Dr George Karimundackal
- Dr. George Karimundackal completed his MS in General Surgery from the Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai and MCh in Surgical Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
- Since the completion of his training, he has specialized in Thoracic Oncology and served as Professor in Thoracic Oncology in Tata Memorial Hospital for 14 years
- During this time, he pioneered the thoracic oncology multidisciplinary team, undertook further training in VATS and Robotic surgery from experts in Japan, Korea, China and the United States of America.
- In October 2022, he took over the post of Director, Thoracic Services at Nanavati Max Hospital, Andheri, Mumbai where he currently runs a comprehensive thoracic oncology program
- He adopts a multidisciplinary approach to create customized and comprehensive treatment strategies for each patient.
- He is proficient in various thoracic surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and robotic surgery(RATS)
- He specializes in diagnosing and treating chest-related cancers, including lung, esophageal, and mediastinal tumors.
- To ensure a coordinated and thorough treatment approach, he works closely with other healthcare experts, such as medical and radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, and pathologists.
- He brings advanced treatment options to his practice and provides the best possible care to his patients.
Take control of your lung health, consult with Dr. George Karimundackal
Different types of lung cancer
The different types of lung cancer include the following range of tumours:
- Non small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC): Squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma
- Small cell lung cancer
- Carcinoid tumours
- Rare tumours, including salivary gland tumours and sarcomas
Lung Surgery in Mumbai
Before proceeding with the surgery recommendation, Dr George Karimundackal will evaluate the patient’s fitness levels for surgery based on –
- General physical fitness, including lung and heart function
- Stage of the disease
- Type of the tumour
- Location of the tumour
Dr George Karimundackal, one of the best lung cancer specialists in Mumbai elaborates on the lung cancer treatment plan in general which may include one or more of the following:
- Surgery
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy: including targeted therapy agents and immunotherapy
Get a Tailored Treatment Plan: Contact us for a treatment plan customized to your unique needs and condition.
A comprehensive treatment plan which may include surgery is drawn up. The plan is discussed with the patient in detail and necessary preparations are done. The surgery can be minimally invasive or open and may involve excision of a small segment, lobe or entire lung, depending upon the tumour. It will also include the removal of surrounding intra-thoracic lymph nodes.
Dr George Karimundackal performs Lung Surgery in Mumbai at Nanavati Max Speciality Hospital. He prefers minimally invasive surgery considering its multiple benefits, viz.
- Less reduced post-operative pain
- Shorter hospital stay
- Early return to normal function
Explore Surgical Options: Enquire about the latest minimally invasive lung surgery techniques offered by Dr. Karimundackal
Lung cancer surgery and associated costs
The cost of lung cancer surgery varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, surgical approach and the hospital and room category the patient chooses.
Enquire About Costs: Get an estimate of the costs involved in lung cancer surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short Term
You will be admitted a day before surgery. Recovery is uneventful in most patients and you will most likely shifted back to the room on the same day. You will be mobilised out of bed by post operative day 1 and should be on a full diet. The mobilisation is increased in a graded fashion and you will be discharged from the hospital usually by day 3 or 4 after the procedure.
You must consult the doctor for follow-up once the final histopathology report is available. The histopathology reports will determine whether any adjuvant treatment, like radiation or chemotherapy, is required.
Long Term
After completing all treatments, Dr George Karimundackal recommends a follow-up every six months for five years and annually afterwards.
Lung cancer surgery is classified as major thoracic surgery. With modern techniques and instrumentation, complication rates of lung surgery have dramatically reduced in today’s age. Less than 5% of lobectomy and 10% of pneumonectomy patients may have post-operative complications like lung infections, fluid collections and air leaks.
These complications may impact the duration of ICU stay, ventilatory requirement and overall hospital stay. The mortality rate in lung cancer surgery remains less than 1-2%.
A comprehensive lung cancer surgery team will always be available for your care. It includes:
- Thoracic surgeon
- Assistant surgeon
- Anaesthetist who specialises in thoracic surgery
- Intensivist and ICU team
- Pulmonologist
- Chest physician
- Physiotherapist and nutritionist
- Specially trained nursing staff
In today’s world, lung cancer is eminently curable if detected at an early stage. According to recent data, if treated in time, 90% of early lung cancer patients will be alive and well even after ten years of completion of treatment. In our experience, they continue to do well beyond that as well. Outcomes depend upon timely diagnosis, stage-appropriate treatment that is complied with, and a stringent follow-up.
Recent years have seen great strides in systemic therapy, even in advanced stages. A variety of personalised and targeted treatment options are currently available for treating lung cancer.
In India, screening for lung cancer is not a part of the national guidelines. However, several studies have shown low-dose CT scans to be a valuable and effective tool for lung cancer screening among people with significant smoking history. These studies have shown screening to not only improve early detection of lung cancer but also decrease the chance of death due to lung cancer among smokers.
In light of these data, if you have a significant smoking history and are worried about lung cancer, it is advisable to visit a thoracic oncologist and mutually decide if lung cancer screening is a good option for you.
