On the Ground: Reporting on Ovarian Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

 

As a medical journalist, I recently visited Kirit Nursing Home in Vile Parle, Mumbai, with the intention of understanding how institutions here are managing complex cases of ovarian cancer — and in particular, to interview Dr. Maitreyee Parulekar, the oncologic gynecologist leading such efforts. My focus was on evaluating how contemporary approaches to ovarian cancer treatment in Mumbai are being implemented — from diagnosis to surgery and post-operative care — and what a patient might realistically expect when seeking care in Mumbai.

Dr. Maitreyee Parulekar — Qualifications, Expertise & Clinic Setup

During my visit, I learned that Dr. Maitreyee Parulekar is among the most qualified gynecological oncologists in the city. She holds an MS in Obstetrics & Gynaecology from the prestigious KEM Hospital, Mumbai — graduating as a Gold Medalist. She is also a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (UK) and has completed a Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery (FMAS) under the Maharashtra University system.

Her commitment to advanced women’s health care led her to international training: a Fellowship in Gynaecological Oncosurgery & Robotic Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, South Korea, followed by a Visiting Scholars stint in Minimally Invasive Gynaecology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada. This global exposure, coupled with her academic rigor and surgical mastery, positions her among the Top Gynae Oncologist In Mumbai.

Kirit Nursing Home serves as her base for consultations and surgeries. From what I observed, the clinic environment is calm, clean, and designed with patient comfort in mind — balancing medical seriousness with empathy. The infrastructure supports minimally invasive and oncological surgeries, with an emphasis on precision, safety, and dignity for patients facing significant health challenges.

Given her credentials and the facility’s setup, Dr. Parulekar represents a reliable option for those seeking advanced ovarian cancer care, integrating modern technology with compassionate care — the hallmarks of a responsible Gynecologist In Mumbai in oncologic practice.

What Does Ovarian Cancer Treatment Look Like Here?

At my meeting, Dr. Parulekar explained how ovarian cancer treatment at her clinic often involves debulking surgery — ideally using minimally invasive or robotic-assisted techniques when feasible. According to the information available on the clinic’s website, for ovarian (as well as uterine, cervical, and other gynecological) cancers, they offer oncological surgery using laparoscopic or robotic methods.

By combining advanced imaging, pre-operative evaluation, and precise surgical planning, the aim is to remove as much of the tumour burden as possible (debulking), while preserving healthy tissue and ensuring minimal trauma. The minimally invasive approach also allows for better visualisation, careful dissection, and — when suitable — quicker recovery and shorter hospitalisation periods.

Dr. Parulekar emphasized that treatment plans are tailored to each patient: cancer stage, general health, extent of disease, and personal priorities (e.g. fertility preservation, quality of life) guide whether the surgery is performed via open laparotomy, laparoscopy, or robotic-assisted methods. This nuanced, patient-centred strategy reflects what one hopes from a top-tier cancer care provider.

Benefits & Risks of Ovarian Cancer Treatment Approach

Benefits

• Precision and minimal invasiveness: When feasible, robotic or laparoscopic debulking reduces incision size, blood loss, post-operative pain, and tissue damage — critical considerations in cancer surgery.
• Faster recovery and shorter hospital stay: Minimally invasive techniques often translate to earlier mobilisation, reduced post-surgical complications, and quicker return to daily life, which is especially important for patients undergoing adjuvant therapy (e.g. chemotherapy).
• Preservation of surrounding healthy tissue and better cosmetic outcome: For many patients, a less traumatic procedure can mean better overall recovery — both physically and psychologically — enabling them to focus sooner on rehabilitation and follow-up care.
• Experienced oncologic care with global training standards: Under Dr. Parulekar, with her background and training in reputed international centres, patients can expect a high standard of oncologic surgery, combining global best-practices with local context and care.

Risks & Challenges

• Suitability limitations for minimally invasive methods: Not all ovarian cancers are amenable to laparoscopy or robotic surgery — advanced disease, widespread metastasis, or poor general health may necessitate traditional open surgery. Dr. Parulekar stresses the importance of individualized evaluation. (Interview insight)
• Surgical risks remain significant: Debulking involves removal of tumour mass, which may require removal of one or both ovaries, omentum, lymph nodes, and sometimes adjacent organs — raising risks of bleeding, infection, organ injury, and longer recovery time.
• Need for post-surgery adjuvant therapy: Even after successful surgery, many patients require chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with associated side-effects and extended follow-up — meaning surgery is rarely the end of treatment, but part of a longer continuum.
• Emotional and quality-of-life considerations: Beyond physical recovery, patients may face fertility issues (if reproductive organs are removed), changes in hormonal balance, and psychological impact — requiring holistic care beyond the operating theatre.

Approximate Cost Expectations

While Dr. Parulekar and Kirit Nursing Home do not provide a public “fee-chart” for ovarian cancer surgery, several factors influence cost: type and complexity of surgery (simple vs extensive debulking), choice of surgical method (laparoscopy/robotic vs open), duration of hospital stay, need for blood transfusion or ICU care, and subsequent adjuvant therapies.

As a rough benchmark, common cost estimates for ovarian cancer surgery in Mumbai — including debulking, hospital stay, post-operative care, and initial follow-up — often range in the mid-to-high lakhs of rupees, depending on extent and complications.

Patients should also budget for diagnostics, pre-operative assessments, possible imaging studies, pathology, medications, and any adjuvant chemotherapy or follow-up care. Dr. Parulekar emphasized in our discussion that they provide individualized cost estimates during consultation, based on each patient’s disease profile and care plan (interview detail).

Given the complexity of cancer care, cost must be weighed alongside prognosis, expected outcomes, and the standard of surgical & post-operative support.

Precautions & Aftercare Advice Shared by Dr. Parulekar

During our interview, Dr. Parulekar underlined several important aspects of pre- and post-surgical care, to maximize safety and long-term outcomes:

• Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation: Before any surgical intervention, patients undergo imaging, lab work, staging assessments, and detailed counselling to assess suitability of minimally invasive versus conventional surgery — ensuring safety and informed decision-making.
• Patient education and emotional support: Recognizing the emotional burden of an ovarian cancer diagnosis, the clinic offers counselling, helps patients understand their options, probable outcomes and what to expect in recovery or follow-up therapy.
• Post-operative care and monitoring: After surgery, patients are advised careful wound care, regular follow-up visits, periodic imaging or tumour marker tests (if indicated), and adherence to any recommended adjuvant therapy — chemotherapy or radiotherapy — when needed.
• Lifestyle, nutrition and rehabilitation support: To aid recovery, patients are counselled on balanced nutrition, gradual return to activity, pelvic floor care (if relevant), and psychological support — critical for overall health and quality of life.
• Long-term surveillance and survivorship care: Given the risk of recurrence, Dr. Parulekar emphasizes structured follow-up, periodic check-ups, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle — reinforcing that ovarian cancer treatment is a journey, not a one-time event.

My Reflections: Ovarian Cancer Care in Mumbai — Promise & Prudence

My visit to Kirit Nursing Home and interaction with Dr. Maitreyee Parulekar left me with a nuanced understanding: ovarian cancer treatment in Mumbai — when handled with surgical expertise, modern technology, and personalized care — can offer real hope. Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted debulking surgery, for select patients, holds the promise of effective cancer removal with less trauma, faster recovery, and better quality of life.

Yet, this promise comes with caveats: patient selection is critical; not every case is suitable. Success depends on many factors — stage of cancer, overall health, aftercare adherence, follow-up therapy, and emotional resilience.

For patients considering this path, the decision demands careful weighing of risks, benefits, and long-term commitment. As Dr. Parulekar explained, effective oncology is not just about removing the tumour — it’s about guiding the patient through diagnosis, surgery, recovery, and survivorship, with dignity, compassion, and realism.

If you or someone you know is exploring ovarian cancer treatment in Mumbai, and value a balanced, patient-centred approach combining modern surgical skill with supportive care — consider reaching out to ..

Let’s enhance not just survival — but quality of life.
Serving you from Kirit Nursing Home, Vile Parle, Mumbai.
For consultation: call +91 72087 27500 

Email :  info@drmaitreyeegynec.in
Because in the fight against cancer, every detail — precision, compassion, hope — matters.