PGI Organizes CME and Workshop on 'Irreversible Electroporation':The Novel Method of Cancer Treatment

By 121 News

Chandigarh 29^th April:- The first CME and workshop on 'Irreversible Electroporation' , the novel method of cancer treatment, was inaugurated today at PGI, Chandigarh by Prof. YK Chawla, Director of the Institute in the presence of Prof. S Varma, Dean of the Institute, Prof. N. Khandelwal, Chairman and Head, Department of Radiodiagnosis and Prof. Naveen Kalra, Organizing Secretary of the meeting. Speaking on the occasion Prof. Chawla said that the Institute had the privilege of having the first and only installation of the 'Irreversible Electroporation' machine or 'Nanoknife' in the entire country. Prof. N. Khandelwal said that the department has always been a part of the larger team against cancer and had played a crucial role in the screening, diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer.

During the course of the day there were didactic lectures by eminent national and international experts including Prof. Naveen Kalra, Prof. Anupam Lal and Prof. Govindarajan Narayanan, Chief of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA.  Dr. Narayanan stressed that this new technique, which works by using very high voltage current between multiple probes or needles, can be used in treating cancers close to blood vessels and other vital structures.

Cancer of the liver is best treated by surgical removal and liver transplantation. However when the tumor is unresectable by surgical means does the scope of using other methods arises. Nanoknife is recommended for small tumors close to the liver surface or abutting the major blood vessels of the liver and the biliary system. Another cancer which is ideally suited for treatment with Nanoknife is small locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Again these cancers cannot be surgically treated as they are close to blood vessels and this is a safe zone for this novel technique. 

At the end of the day there was a panel discussion in which interesting cases were discussed with the experts in interventional oncology.  About 150 practicing radiologists and clinicians along with student delegates are attending this academic feast.