Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Cancer Treatment Under One Roof

At Fortis Cancer Institute, Fortis Hospital Mohali, our Medical Oncology team offers complete, protocol-driven cancer treatment using chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy, integrated with advanced diagnostics and a multidisciplinary tumour board.

We follow treatment pathways aligned with national and international oncology guidelines, including Indian consensus documents and Standard Treatment Workflows issued by apex bodies such as ICMR and the National Cancer Grid. 

What Is Medical Oncology?

Medical Oncology is the speciality that treats cancer using systemic therapies – medicines that travel through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells anywhere in the body. These include: 

• Chemotherapy – Anti-cancer drugs that kill rapidly dividing cells.
• Targeted Therapy – Drugs that block specific molecules or pathways driving cancer growth (e.g., EGFR, HER2, ALK, BRAF, etc.).
• Immunotherapy – Treatments that help your immune system recognise and attack cancer cells (such as immune checkpoint inhibitors).
• Hormonal Therapy – Medicines that block or alter hormones which fuel certain cancers like breast and prostate cancers.

These therapies may be given:

• Before surgery (neoadjuvant) to shrink the tumour
• After surgery (adjuvant) to reduce the risk of recurrence
• Along with radiation as part of combined-modality treatment
• In advanced / metastatic disease to control cancer, relieve symptoms and extend survival

Cancers Treated by Medical Oncology at Fortis Mohali

Our team treats a wide range of solid tumours and blood cancers in adults (and collaborates with paediatric oncology where required):

Solid Tumours

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Head & Neck cancers
• Gastrointestinal cancers (oesophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, liver)
• Gynaecological cancers (ovary, cervix, endometrium)
• Genitourinary cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testis)
• Bone and soft tissue sarcomas
• Brain tumours (as part of a neuro-oncology team)

Blood & Haematological Cancers

• Lymphomas (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
• Leukaemias (acute and chronic)
• Multiple Myeloma and related plasma cell disorders
• Myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders

Treatment plans are individualised as per disease type, stage, patient profile and national guideline recommendations. 

Our Medical Oncology Services

1. Chemotherapy

• OPD and day-care chemotherapy units designed for safe, comfortable infusions
• In-patient chemotherapy for complex or high-risk regimens
• Protocol-driven regimens based on standard guidelines and tumour boards
• Proactive management of side effects with modern anti-emetics, growth factors, antibiotics, transfusion support etc. 

2. Targeted Therapy

• Use of targeted agents based on tumour markers and genetic alterations (e.g. EGFR, ALK, HER2, BRAF, VEGF pathways)
• Oral and intravenous targeted therapies as part of personalised treatment plans
• Regular monitoring for specific toxicities (heart, liver, kidney, skin, blood counts)

Government-linked consensus documents and tertiary cancer centres in India increasingly recommend targeted therapy for selected cancers based on validated molecular tests; our protocols follow the same principles. 

3. Immunotherapy

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors and other immune-based treatments where indicated (e.g., certain lung, melanoma, kidney, bladder and head & neck cancers)
• Assessment of suitability based on tumour type, stage, general health and biomarkers where relevant (e.g., PD-L1, MSI-H where available)
• Close monitoring and multidisciplinary management of immune-related adverse events (skin, gut, lung, endocrine, liver) in line with best-practice recommendations from national expert groups. 

4. Hormonal & Biological Therapies

• Hormonal manipulation for hormone-receptor positive breast and prostate cancers
• Integration of biological agents (e.g., HER2-targeted therapies) into chemotherapy regimens as per disease stage and guideline indications. 

5. Supportive & Palliative Medical Oncology

• Pain management using WHO ladder principles and interventional options where required
• Management of anaemia, infections, metabolic disturbances and treatment-related complications
• Palliative chemotherapy / systemic therapy where appropriate to relieve symptoms and prolong quality life
• Early integration of specialist palliative care, as emphasised by national consensus documents on cancer management. 

NEW: Precision Oncology & Advanced Diagnostics

To match the most current trends in global and Indian oncology, Fortis Cancer Institute Mohali increasingly incorporates precision medicine into routine care:

Molecular & Biomarker Testing

Where clinically indicated and available, we utilise:

• Hormone receptors (ER, PR) and HER2 in breast cancer
• EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF and other driver mutations in lung and selected cancers
• PD-L1 expression or microsatellite instability (MSI-H) status for certain tumours considered for immunotherapy
• Other disease-specific markers as per ICMR and National Cancer Grid-aligned protocols. 

These tests help identify patients who can benefit the most from targeted therapies or immunotherapies while limiting unnecessary toxicity and cost.

Advanced Genomic & Precision Tools (Where Feasible)

• Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) panels, as appropriate, to detect multiple actionable mutations in a single test – an approach highlighted by leading Indian cancer centres and academic groups. 
• Liquid biopsy (circulating tumour DNA) may be considered in selected clinical scenarios, particularly when tissue biopsy is difficult or for specific mutation tracking, in keeping with evolving research led by premier institutes. 

Molecular / Precision Tumour Boards

Complex cases with multiple biomarkers or rare mutations are discussed in multidisciplinary settings, with inputs from pathology, radiology and where required reference to national networks such as the National Cancer Grid resources and published Indian consensus guidelines. 

Patient takeaway:
“If there is an evidence-based targeted or immunotherapy option suitable for my cancer, the team here will evaluate and discuss it with me.”

Alignment with National & Government-Linked Guidelines

Our treatment protocols and pathways are regularly updated in line with:

• ICMR consensus documents for major cancers (breast, lung, oesophagus, prostate, bladder, hepatocellular carcinoma and others). 
• Standard Treatment Workflows (STW) for India, developed under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, which detail when to use chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. 
• Educational and research initiatives from Tata Memorial Centre and AIIMS / NCI Jhajjar, which emphasise evidence-based systemic therapy, precision oncology and multi-disciplinary care. 

This ensures that patients at Fortis Mohali receive care consistent with what is recommended at top national cancer institutes.