Chemotherapy
Systemic cytotoxic treatment to destroy cancer cells — used alongside surgery for GI cancers.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy uses cytotoxic drugs that destroy rapidly dividing cancer cells. In gastrointestinal cancers, it is used as adjuvant therapy (after surgery), neo-adjuvant therapy (before surgery to shrink the tumour), or palliative therapy (to control advanced disease and extend survival). Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi works within a multidisciplinary team to coordinate chemotherapy for colorectal cancer (FOLFOX, CAPOX), gastric cancer (FLOT), and biliary cancers (gemcitabine + cisplatin). Each regimen is individually selected.
How the Procedure Works
MDT Decision and Staging
All cases reviewed at the MDT conference. The oncologist determines chemotherapy intent — adjuvant, neo-adjuvant, or palliative — and regimen selection.
Regimen Selection
Chemotherapy selected based on cancer type, stage, and molecular markers (MSI, KRAS/BRAF, HER2 status) to personalise treatment.
Venous Access
PICC line or implanted port inserted for reliable venous access throughout treatment cycles.
Treatment Administration
Chemotherapy administered in an outpatient day unit. Each cycle is followed by a rest period for recovery and blood count monitoring.
Response Assessment
Blood tests before each cycle. CT scan at 3-month intervals. Regimen adjusted based on response, toxicity, and tolerability.
Outcomes
Who Needs This Treatment?
- →Adjuvant chemotherapy reduces recurrence risk in Stage III colorectal cancer
- →Neo-adjuvant FLOT before gastric cancer surgery significantly improves survival
- →Targets microscopic disease that surgery alone cannot reach
- →Palliative chemotherapy controls symptoms and extends survival in advanced disease
Chemotherapy, when precisely selected and timed, gives patients a significantly better chance of cure. Neo-adjuvant FLOT before gastric surgery and adjuvant FOLFOX after colon cancer resection are transformative treatments.
— Dr. Tagore Mohan Grandhi, Senior Consultant Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure which treatment is right for you?
Book a consultation with Dr. Tagore Grandhi and get a personalised treatment plan.