Breast Surgeon in Chennai — Dr. Vimalathithan at Gleneagles HealthCity

Gynecological Cancer Specialist in Chennai — Your Questions Answered by Dr. Vimalathithan

What is a gynecological cancer specialist and why do I need one?

A gynecological cancer specialist is a surgical oncologist who focuses specifically on cancers affecting the female reproductive system — including the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vulva, and vagina. Unlike a general gynaecologist or a general surgeon, a gynecological cancer specialist has dedicated training in both cancer surgery and reconstructive techniques specific to the female reproductive anatomy.

Dr. Vimalathithan, Senior Consultant and Clinical Lead in Surgical Oncology at Gleneagles HealthCity, Chennai, has completed M.Ch in Surgical Oncology — India's highest cancer surgery qualification — which includes dedicated training in gynaecological cancer surgery. When cancer is involved, a specialist's training directly impacts surgical outcomes, complication rates, and long-term survival.

Which gynecological cancers does Dr. Vimalathithan 

treat?

Dr. Vimalathithan treats the full spectrum of gynaecological cancers:

Cervical Cancer — Cancer of the cervix strongly linked to HPV infection. One of the most common cancers in Indian women. Highly treatable when detected early through regular Pap smear screening.

Ovarian Cancer — Often called the silent cancer because symptoms appear late. Requires complex surgical staging and debulking. Early specialist consultation is critical for best outcomes.

Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer — Cancer of the uterine lining. The most common gynaecological cancer in urban Indian women. Often presents early with abnormal uterine bleeding — making it detectable at a treatable stage.

Vulvar Cancer — Cancer of the external female genitalia. Requires specialist surgical management with careful attention to function and quality of life.

Vaginal Cancer — A rare gynaecological cancer requiring multidisciplinary surgical and oncological management.

What surgeries does Dr. Vimalathithan perform for gynecological 

cancers?

Radical Hysterectomy — Complete removal of the uterus, cervix, and surrounding tissues. The standard surgical treatment for cervical cancer — performed with meticulous attention to preserving bladder and bowel function.

Robotic Hysterectomy — Using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system, Dr. Vimalathithan performs minimally invasive radical hysterectomy offering smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery with most patients home within 2 to 3 days, and better precision in cancer clearance.

Ovarian Cancer Debulking Surgery — Surgical removal of as much tumour as possible. Achieving complete cytoreduction — no visible remaining tumour — is the single strongest predictor of long-term survival in ovarian cancer.

HIPEC — Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy combines surgical tumour removal with heated chemotherapy delivered directly into the abdominal cavity during surgery — targeting microscopic cancer cells that surgery alone cannot reach.

Staging Surgery for Endometrial Cancer — Total hysterectomy with bilateral

salpingo-oophorectomy combined with lymph node assessment — performed robotically for faster recovery and better precision.

Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping — Minimally invasive technique to assess lymph node involvement without removing large numbers of nodes — reducing the risk of lymphoedema and other complications.

Vulvectomy — Surgical removal of affected vulvar tissue performed with careful attention to function and quality of life using reconstructive techniques where appropriate.

Why is robotic surgery important for gynecological cancer?

Dr. Vimalathithan holds an FICRS certification in Robotic Surgery — one of Chennai's few surgical oncologists with this dedicated qualification. In gynaecological cancer surgery, the pelvis is a confined and complex surgical space. Robotic instrumentation provides 360-degree articulation and magnified 3D vision — allowing precision that is impossible with traditional open surgery.

For younger women with early-stage cervical or endometrial cancer, robotic surgery makes fertility-sparing procedures more technically feasible. For all patients, robotic gynaecological cancer surgery means significantly less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, reduced

post-operative pain, and faster return to normal life — critical for patients who need post-operative chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

What warning signs should every woman know?

Consult a gynecological cancer specialist in Chennai immediately if you experience:

●          Abnormal vaginal bleeding — between periods, after menopause, or after intercourse

●          Persistent pelvic pain or pressure not explained by other conditions

●          Bloating, abdominal swelling, or feeling full quickly after eating

●          Frequent urination or difficulty urinating

●          Unexplained weight loss

●          A sore or lump in the vulvar area that does not heal

●          Changes in bowel habits alongside pelvic symptoms

●          Unusual vaginal discharge — particularly foul-smelling or blood-stained

These symptoms do not always indicate cancer — but they always require specialist evaluation without delay.

What makes Gleneagles HealthCity the right choice for gynecological cancer surgery?

At Gleneagles HealthCity, Dr. Vimalathithan works within a complete gynaecological cancer multidisciplinary team including gynaecologic oncologists, medical oncologists for chemotherapy and targeted therapy, radiation oncologists for brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy, pathologists for frozen section and final histopathology, radiologists for staging imaging and interventional biopsy, and reconstructive surgeons for complex cases. Every case is reviewed at a dedicated tumour board — ensuring no patient receives surgery in isolation from the complete treatment picture.

What are Dr. Vimalathithan's qualifications for gynecological cancer surgery?

●          MS (General Surgery) — foundational surgical expertise

●          MRCS (UK) — Royal College of Surgeons, United Kingdom

●          M.Ch (Surgical Oncology) — India's highest cancer surgery qualification including gynaecological oncology training

●          DNB, FMAS, FAIS — nationally recognised surgical certifications

●          FICRS (Robotic Surgery) — advanced minimally invasive surgical expertise

Who travels to Chennai for gynecological cancer surgery with Dr. Vimalathithan?

Patients travel from across Tamil Nadu — Madurai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli — and from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Gleneagles HealthCity offers complete pre-operative workup under one roof and teleconsultation follow-up for outstation patients. Located off OMR at Perumbakkam — easily accessible from Sholinganallur, Velachery, Tambaram, Anna Nagar, T. Nagar, and central Chennai.

What do patients say about Dr. Vimalathithan?

 With over 865 Google reviews and a 5.0-star rating, patients consistently describe a surgeon who communicates clearly, respects their concerns, and delivers outcomes that gave them renewed confidence. For women facing a gynaecological cancer diagnosis — where fear, stigma, and uncertainty can delay life-saving treatment — this combination of clinical excellence and genuine compassion matters enormously.

How do I book a consultation?

📞 099628 66666

📍 Gleneagles HealthCity, Perumbakkam, Sholinganallur, Chennai 600119

🕒 Open Monday to Saturday — until 5:00 PM