85-Year-Old Becomes India’s Oldest Woman To Undergo Successful Ovarian Cancer Surgery At Jaslok Hospital

In a groundbreaking achievement, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre has successfully performed a complex ovarian cancer surgery on 85-year-old Savitri Agarwal, making her the oldest woman in India to undergo such a procedure. 

Agarwal has since made a full recovery, exemplifying both medical expertise and patient resilience. Agarwal was initially diagnosed with an ovarian mass two months ago after a CT scan revealed a serious condition. Her family, under the guidance of Dr. Vishnu Agarwal, Consultant Surgical Oncology & Robotic Surgery, was advised to opt for surgery. However, given her advanced age, the family was initially hesitant due to the high risks involved. As her condition rapidly worsened, Agarwal was admitted to Jaslok Hospital with severe symptoms, including vomiting, abdominal pain, and an intestinal blockage caused by the growing tumour. Doctors warned that her life expectancy was only a few weeks without intervention.

Despite the significant challenges posed by Agarwal’s age and the complexity of the surgery, Dr. Agarwal, along with Dr. Vivek Shetty and a highly skilled team, decided to proceed with the operation. The seven-hour cytoreductive surgery was performed, involving the removal of a large ovarian mass along with portions of her colon and spleen.

Remarkably, Agarwal tolerated the surgery well, experiencing no complications. Under the expert postoperative care of Dr. Shruti Tandon, an intensivist at Jaslok Hospital, she recovered swiftly, transitioning from the ICU to the ward within two days. She was walking the next day and was discharged from the hospital within a week. Today, Agarwal enjoys a normal life, fully participating in her daily activities and enjoying a full diet.

Dr. Vishnu Agarwal highlighted the importance of timely surgical intervention, stating, "Age should never be a barrier to life-saving treatment. While Savitri’s case presented significant challenges, timely surgery gave her a chance at recovery." He stressed that bold decisions and clinical expertise can lead to full recoveries, even in elderly patients.

Agarwal herself expressed immense gratitude for the care she received, stating, "Thanks to the team at Jaslok Hospital, I am now able to enjoy life with my loved ones. My message to others is this: never give up hope, regardless of your age."

Dr. Milind Khadke, Director of Medical Services at Jaslok Hospital, emphasised the hospital’s commitment to comprehensive patient care, stating, "Mrs. Agarwal's successful recovery underscores our belief that age should not limit treatment when there's a chance to improve quality of life. Our dedicated team and cutting-edge technology have made this remarkable recovery possible."