Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) established in 1972 and in a journey of 46 years metamorphosed as State Cancer Institute. The Institute has comprehensive facilities for patient care, teaching and research. GCRI is instrumental in the development of tertiary cancer centers (TCC) in the state. GCRI has developed Siddhpur Cancer Center and establishing new TCCs functional at Rajkot.

GCRI focuses on four major areas: 1) providing state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic management by multidisciplinary team, 2) treating patients with cancer pain and with terminal stage, 3) reducing cancer burden in Gujarat State by conducting community out-reach programs, early detection camps, regular health check-up programs, and 4) offering medical education and research.

Comprehensive Cancer Care:

GCRI offers cutting-edge cancer treatment options at high levels of care and convenience, and help improve cancer survival rates. Institute manages adult and paediatric cancer patients with 650 beds facility. Twenty-one clinical departments including super specialty with other support services involved in treatment of all types of cancers. This year 30163 new cancer patients registered and 3,94,712 patients attended OPD. The most common three leading sites of cancer observed in men are oral cavity except tongue (21.92%), tongue (12.18), lung (10%) and in women are breast (21.45%), cervix uteri (17.18%), mouth (6.77%). In a year, 1,20,616 radiological, 1,54,759 histologic and cytologic, and 7,69,297 laboratory investigations were performed. Further, 6023 major surgeries and 15667 minor surgeries including IVTC was performed, 9180 patients treated with Radiotherapy, 55390 patients treated with chemotherapy and 42 patients with Bone Marrow Transplantation. The Hematology, Flow Cytometry and Microbiology Laboratories are NABL Accredited since 2011.

GCRI caters cancer care to the poorest of poor with quality service to the cancer patients of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states. MA Yojana, MA Vatsalya Yojana, Low Income Group Scheme, School Health Program, S.C., S.T. and other Government Schemes help to serve low socio-economic group with better cancer care.

Palliative & Hospice Care

Pain is a common symptom for cancer patients, especially patients with advanced stage of cancers. Cancer pain and treatment of terminally ill patients are managed by palliative medicine department, Hospice Centre and Home Care Services. This year 13768 patients with cancer pain are managed at the institute, 563 patients by Home Care Services and 298 patients at Hospice Centre.

Community Awareness and Detection Campaign

The campaign aims to provide awareness on cancer, early detection and tips for prevention for various cancers thereby to reduce morbidity and mortality through cancer awareness and detection camps. This year 2195 people visited in 11 cancer education camps, and 269 suspicious cancer cases were referred to GCRI through 78 Cancer Detection and Sanjeevani Rath Camps.

Education & Research

GCRI provides medical education and training to future health professionals. The medical education of the institute is affiliated to B J Medical College for conducting MD, D.M./M.Ch. courses in oncology and 145 medical students are enrolled. Ph.D. in Life Sciences and Microbiology affiliated with Gujarat University are also conducted at the institute. Scientists of Cancer Biology department mentor 8 PhD students and 30 MSc Cancer Biology students. There are 74 research publications, 24 National and 77 State Conference presentations with 28 ongoing research projects with 10 clinical trials. This year 26 staff members supported for training and scientific workshops.

In coming year GCRI will move in new building and diligent to get NABH Accreditation. We continue to strive towards our mission to powerful and innovative therapies to cancer patients, improve quality of life and restore hope. We wish to emerge as global leader in cancer control and to accelerate the pace of groundbreaking translational research that can get life saving new therapies.

 

Dr. Shashank Pandya

Director, GCRI