St. Peter’s Hospital has been the designated centre for complex pelvic surgery for urological cancer since 2005 and is celebrating two years of progress and success this year.    The north Surrey cancer network for Urological cancers – which encompasses Ashford (Middx) Hospital; Frimley Park Hospital near Camberley; Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford and North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke – refer patients into the Urology Department at St. Peter’s Hospital atChertsey where Urological Consultants Mr Ravi Kulkarni and Mr Robin Cole are recognised as specialists in major pelvic surgery undertaking around 70 pelvic cancer operations each year including cyststectomies and radical prostatectomies.

Mr Kulkarni comments: “Aggressive bladder cancer needs removal of the urinary bladder. The flow of the urine is then diverted to a loop of intestine which is brought out so a bag can be worn (stoma).  In selected cases, a new bladder can be reconstructed using bowel. This pouch is then joined to the urethra so one can pass water normally.   Localised prostate cancer is treated by complete removal of the gland. This operation (Radical Prostatectomy) has better long term results in terms of cancer control.   As with all cancers the earlier we can catch them the better the results.”

Mr Cole says: “These are very major operations and require considerable careful assessment, specialist surgical input, good post-operative care and the support of the entire team.   Both Ravi and I have considerable experience in this area having been appointed over 14 years ago.   We joined forces in 2005 to form the Pelvic Cancer Centre for complex major surgery at St. Peter’s and have performed over 75 such operations over the last two years with excellent results.   This volume and quality is equivalent to most well known centres in the UK.”

Mr Kulkarni and Mr Cole have established a video linked conference facility at St. Peter’s Hospital to enable their fellow Urologists in the other hospitals to discuss their patients.    A fortnightly Pelvic Cancer clinic has been set up to enable patients and their relatives to come and discuss their management face to face with Mr Kulkarni and Mr Cole.   This clinic also has a Cancer specialist and a nurse to allow a full range of discussion before undergoing such major surgery. 

All new as well as previously operated patients get ample time to meet the specialists and get their personal attention. A recent patient satisfaction survey of patients attending this clinic showed a very high appreciation rate.

A new technique of re-construction of the bladder has recently been developed by Mr Kulkarni and Mr Cole.  It enables patients to pass urine by the normal route after their bladder is removed.  This is a complicated undertaking which requires a lot of post operative care but is worthwhile, allowing many patients to live a more normal life.  The work of Mr Cole and MrKulkarni is supported by an excellent team of ward nurses, a dedicated high dependency unit and stoma nurses who are vital in the care of these patients.

Clinical Director for General Surgery and Urology, Mr Elliot Chisholm comments: “For several years now the Pelvic Cancer Centre at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust has been recognised as a centre of excellence for these complex conditions.   This is a tribute to the skills and dedication of Mr Cole and Mr Kulkarni and their team.”