She Was Six Months Pregnant. Then Came an Oral Cancer Diagnosis. HCG Cancer Centre Vadodara Helped Save Them Both.
VADODARA, GUJARAT | 24th JULY 2026 | In a remarkable example of multidisciplinary cancer care, HCG Cancer Centre Vadodara successfully performed a complex oral cancer surgery on a 39-year-old woman from Halol who was six months pregnant, ensuring the safety of both the mother and her unborn child.
The patient initially noticed swelling on her right cheek, which was repeatedly treated as a routine swelling with medications. As the swelling persisted, she consulted a dentist who suspected that the condition required further evaluation and referred her to HCG Cancer Centre Vadodara.
After a thorough clinical examination, Dr. Nishith Modi, Director – Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, advised an immediate biopsy. The biopsy confirmed Stage IV carcinoma of the right lower gingivobuccal sulcus (GBS) with a clinical staging of T3N1M0. Considering the aggressive nature of the disease and the patient’s pregnancy, delaying treatment posed a significant risk to both mother and baby.
Recognizing the complexity of the case, HCG Cancer Centre Vadodara assembled a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Nishith Modi, Dr. JagdishChandra Bankola (Consultant- Head & Neck Surgical Oncology), Dr Vishakha Agarwal (Oral and Maxillofacial Oncosurgeon), Dr. Faraz Vali-Gynaec Oncosurgeon for continuous fetal monitoring, and Dr. Jay Goyal-Senior Anaesthesiologist, and Dr. Ruchi Pathak- Anaesthesiologist who carefully planned anaesthesia to ensure maternal and fetal safety throughout the procedure.
The surgery was meticulously planned with continuous fetal monitoring and advanced anaesthesia protocols. The multidisciplinary coordination enabled the successful removal of the cancer while maintaining the wellbeing of the unborn baby.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nishith Modi, Director – Head & Neck Surgical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre Vadodara, said: “Cancer during pregnancy is uncommon and presents unique clinical challenges. Our foremost priority was to provide timely cancer treatment without compromising the safety of the unborn child. Through careful planning and seamless collaboration between surgical oncology, anaesthesia, and obstetric care, we were able to achieve a successful outcome for both mother and baby. Early diagnosis and timely intervention remain the key to improving outcomes in oral cancer.”
The case also highlights the importance of not ignoring persistent swelling or ulcers in the mouth. Symptoms that do not improve with routine medication should always be evaluated by a specialist, as early diagnosis significantly improves treatment success.
HCG Cancer Centre Vadodara continues to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary cancer care, bringing together specialists across disciplines to manage even the most challenging and complex cancer cases with precision and compassion.
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