As a medical journalist, I recently visited the offices of Cancer Surgery Clinic to meet and interview Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan — widely regarded as the Best Oncologist in Mumbai. My intent was to see, with my own eyes and questions, what underlies that reputation: the training, the surgical expertise, the clinic environment, and the way he and his team handle complex cancer cases, especially in gastrointestinal (GI), hepatobiliary (HPB) and pancreatic oncology.
Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan — Credentials, Experience & Clinic Setup
According to the clinic’s official profile, Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan brings decades of experience as a surgical oncologist. His formal qualifications include an MBBS (2000, Bombay University), followed by MS in General Surgery (2004, Bombay University / LTMMC-Sion). He then completed a rigorous four-year residency in surgical oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital (2004–2008), one of India’s premier cancer hospitals.
He further honed his specialization with a Fellowship in Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic (HPB) Surgery and Liver Transplantation at Hospital Beaujon, Paris (2008–2009). Over the course of his career, Dr. Nagarajan has led complex cancer surgeries for gastrointestinal, liver, biliary tract, pancreatic, and colorectal malignancies — establishing himself as among the Best Oncologist Surgeon in Mumbai.
The Cancer Surgery Clinic itself is affiliated with well-known institutions such as Nanavati Max Institute of Cancer Care and offers a dedicated setup for GI and HPB oncology — with multidisciplinary diagnostics, surgical facilities (open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery), and post-operative care for both local and out-station patients.
During my visit to the Bandra-West office (on Linking Road), I observed a calm, professionally-managed clinic environment. From reception to consultation rooms, the ambience reflected a balance of cleanliness, privacy, and sensitive handling — necessary for cancer care. The clinic emphasises personalised treatment plans, with Dr. Nagarajan personally evaluating each case before recommending a tailored strategy, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Scope of Treatment: What the Clinic Offers
At Cancer Surgery Clinic, Dr. Nagarajan and his team handle a broad spectrum of cancers — especially those of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, biliary system, stomach, colon and rectum.
Services include:
- Complex GI cancer surgery (gastric, colorectal, esophageal)
- Hepatobiliary (liver), gallbladder and biliary cancer surgery
- Pancreatic cancer resections, including advanced procedures such as pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple), distal pancreatectomy
- Minimally invasive approaches: laparoscopic and robotic surgery where suitable
- Multidisciplinary management — collaborating with radiologists, oncopathologists, medical and radiation oncologists for diagnostics and post-surgical therapy or palliation when necessary.
The clinic positions itself as a tertiary referral centre, often taking on complex cases requiring vascular reconstruction, transplant-level surgeries, or where patients have failed treatment elsewhere.
Benefits & Risks of Treatments
Benefits
- High surgical expertise & complex-case capability: With Dr. Nagarajan’s extensive training (Tata Memorial, HB-HPB fellowship in Paris) and experience with complex liver, pancreatic, colorectal surgeries, patients benefit from expert-level interventions even in difficult cases.
- Minimally invasive & robotic options: Where feasible, laparoscopic or robotic surgery offers advantages — smaller incisions, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, and reduced postoperative pain compared to traditional open surgery. This is particularly valuable for GI or biliary cancers where morbidity can be high.
- Comprehensive and personalised care plans: The clinic’s emphasis on multidisciplinary evaluation — radiology, pathology, surgical planning, and post-operative care — allows tailored treatment paths, combining surgery, chemo/radiation or palliative care as needed, improving chances of better outcomes.
- Strong referral base and post-surgery support: The clinic serves as a tertiary referral centre for patients from across India and abroad — indicating trust in their capability for complex and high-risk surgeries with global-standard care.
Risks & Challenges
- Surgical complexity and inherent risk: Surgeries on liver, pancreas, biliary tract or gastrointestinal tract — especially with vascular reconstruction — carry risks of bleeding, infection, organ injury, or postoperative complications. Even with high expertise, not all cases guarantee uncomplicated recovery.
- Need for comprehensive diagnostics and staging: Accurate imaging, pathology, and staging are crucial; incorrect staging or incomplete removal can affect outcomes or require further therapy. Mistakes can compromise long-term prognosis.
- Recovery period and post-operative management burden: Even minimally invasive surgeries may require intensive care, follow-ups, potential chemotherapy or radiotherapy, dietary changes, lifestyle adjustments, and long-term monitoring.
- Emotional and financial burden for patients & families: Cancer treatment is rarely just medical — it extends to psychological, social, and financial dimensions, especially when procedures or follow-ups are prolonged.
Approximate Cost Range — What Patients Should Expect
The clinic does not publicly provide a fixed cost sheet — likely because costs vary drastically depending on the type of cancer, stage, complexity of surgery, diagnostics, need for vascular reconstruction, length of hospital stay, ICU care, and post-operative therapy (chemo/radiation/targeted).
As a rough, general sense:
- Simple diagnostic consultation and early-stage evaluations may remain within modest cost ranges, suitable for initial screening or second opinions.
- For major surgeries — especially liver resections, pancreatic surgeries, complex GI cancer resections with reconstruction or minimally invasive/robotic methods — costs will be significantly higher, owing to specialized surgical teams, advanced equipment, longer hospital and ICU stay, and post-surgical care.
- Additional expenses such as pathology, imaging (PET-CT, MRI), follow-up, adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, radiation), and supportive care add to overall cost.
Dr. Nagarajan’s team emphasises transparent, individualized plan and cost estimate after initial evaluation — ensuring patients are aware of likely expenditure before proceeding.
Precautions & Aftercare Advice — What Patients Were Told
During my interview and based on the clinic’s publicly shared philosophy, the following emerged as key precautions and aftercare recommendations:
- Thorough pre-operative evaluation and staging: Before any surgery, patients undergo comprehensive imaging, pathology reviews, radiology consultation — ensuring accurate staging and surgical planning, minimizing surprises or incomplete excision. (Clinic protocol)
- Multidisciplinary decision-making: Cancer care is not done in isolation; surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and pathologists collaborate to decide the best sequence — whether surgery, chemo, radiation, or a combination — to optimize outcomes.
- Post-surgical strength & rehabilitation focus: Post-surgery monitoring, wound care, nutritional support, gradual mobilisation, pain management — all critical to recovery, especially in HPB or GI surgeries involving major resections. (Clinic emphasis)
- Counseling and family support: Recognizing that cancer affects not just patients but families, the clinic encourages open communication, emotional support, and counselling sessions along with medical care.
- Regular follow-up and surveillance: Given risk of recurrence or post-surgical complications, the clinic maintains structured follow-up schedules, imaging, lab tests, and long-term monitoring tailored to individual cases. (Clinic philosophy)
My Observations: Why Cancer Surgery Clinic May Matter for Cancer Patients in Mumbai
During my visit, I was struck by how the Cancer Surgery Clinic under Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan balances cutting-edge surgical expertise with human-centric care. In a city grappling with rising cancer burdens, having access to a surgeon with global training, extensive experience, and a compassionate outlook makes a difference.
For patients with complex gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary or pancreatic cancers — often involving difficult anatomy and high-risk surgery — the availability of minimally invasive and robotic options under an experienced surgeon can mean better outcomes, reduced trauma, and improved postoperative recovery.
Yet, the clinic does not sugarcoat the challenges: the diagnosis is often serious; treatments may be intensive and long; and success depends not only on surgery but on staging, pathology, follow-up care, and patient resilience. The emphasis on personalised plans, transparent communication, and multidisciplinary care gives patients a clearer roadmap — not false promises.
If you or a loved one are navigating a diagnosis of GI, liver, pancreatic or biliary cancer — and are looking for experienced, thoughtful oncology care — a consultation with Dr. Ganesh Nagarajan at Cancer Surgery Clinic, could be a meaningful step.
Let’s approach cancer with clarity, science, and compassion. Reach out to the clinic for a comprehensive evaluation and informed conversation.
Address / Contact Us
Mail: hello@cancersurgeryclinic.com
Tel: +91 73046 63828