Arizona Surgeon Survives Cancer to Invent and Perform Record-Setting Cancer Surgery
MESA, Ariz., Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Record Academy recently awarded Dr. Greg J. Marchand and Dr. Snehal Bhoola a world record for removing a 17-centimeter cancerous ovarian tumor using only small slits in the abdomen, a technique called a laparoscopy. While removing cysts and tumors using laparoscopic surgery is a standard practice, Dr. Marchand said it is rare to use the technique in conjunction with an ovarian cancer staging procedure.
The surgeons completed the procedure using "in-bag" morcellation, a technique developed by Dr. Marchand in which the tumor is literally bagged and broken down inside the bag so the particles can be extracted laparoscopically. Otherwise, patients would need a sizeable incision to surgically remove such a large mass, requiring additional recovery time.
Marchand, a board-certified OB-GYN, worked closely with Dr. Bhoola, a gynecologic oncologist, in completing the surgery.
Marchand said the most difficult part of the surgery was removing the cancerous mass without spilling any cancer cells into the abdomen. If cancerous material slipped back into the abdomen the cancer could have spread and worsened the patient's prognosis. The World Record Academy helped verify that this type technique had never been accomplished previously on any malignant tumor this large.
Dr. Marchand, who was diagnosed in 2010 with mixed-cell carcinoma, an aggressive cancer, said it is particularly gratifying that his technique can help cancer patients. He received surgery and treatment in 2010 has been in remission since.
"I know what it's like to face a diagnosis of cancer," he said. "In my opinion, advancements in the surgical treatment of cancer are just as important as the newest cancer-fighting drugs and chemotherapy agents."
"If we can use minimally invasive surgery to take some of the recovery time and complications out of cancer surgery, then I think we've really done a lot of good for patients fighting cancer."
This is Dr. Marchand's second world record in laparoscopic surgical excellence. In 2008 Dr. Marchand was awarded a Guinness World Record for the removal of the largest uterus laparoscopically. In this case, it was not a cancerous mass, but a seven-pound benign (non-cancerous) uterus that was removed.
In addition to the two world records, Dr. Marchand is extensively published in laparoscopic surgery and was recently the first U.S. surgeon to receive SOEMIS recognition, (Surgeon of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Surgery) from The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopist's (AAGL.org) Surgical Review Corporation (surgicalreview.org). For further information regarding Dr. Marchand and his publications and research please visit www.gregmarchandmd.com
Contact:
Tess Dumlao
(602) 653-6585
SOURCE Greg J. Marchand MD
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