Press Release

72-year-old Woman with Kidney Cancer and Stage 4 Uterovaginal Prolapse Successfully Treated at Fortis Cunningham Road

Fortis Hospital CG Road Bangalore Oct 29, 2025

~ The unique collaboration between Urology and Gynaecology specialists ensured complete cancer removal and prolapse correction with a scarless recovery ~

Bengaluru, 29 October 2025: Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, achieved a significant surgical milestone by successfully treating a 72-year-old woman suffering from dual co-morbidities - kidney cancer and advanced uterovaginal prolapse. A multidisciplinary team of clinicians from Urology and Gynaecology collaborated to perform a unique combined surgical procedure that offered both a curative and minimally invasive solution.

The patient had been experiencing a vaginal mass for over six months, accompanied by difficulty emptying her bladder, frequent urination, and urgency to urinate. Evaluation revealed stage 4 uterovaginal prolapse with cystocele (A cystocele, or prolapsed bladder, is a condition where the bladder sags into the vaginal canal due to weakened pelvic muscles and connective tissues). Incidentally, a large 6 to 7 cms tumour in her left kidney, suspected to be renal cell carcinoma, was also detected.

Owing to the large size of the tumor, a partial nephrectomy - which preserves part of the kidney was not possible, as too little healthy kidney tissue would have remained. Therefore, the medical team decided on a radical nephrectomy, involving complete removal of the kidney along with the tumour to ensure full cancer clearance. The surgical team performed several procedures during a single operative session. These included a robotic left radical nephrectomy to remove the affected kidney and tumour, a vaginal hysterectomy to treat the prolapsed uterus, a laparoscopic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to remove both ovaries and fallopian tubes, and pelvic floor repair to strengthen and restore pelvic support structures.

Dr. Shakir Tabrez, Director – Urology, Uro-Oncology, Uro-Gynaecology, Andrology, Kidney Transplant and Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru, said, “Radical nephrectomy is the standard of care for large kidney cancers, but it usually requires a sizeable abdominal incision to extract the specimen. In this particular case, in collaboration with the gynaecology team, we innovatively retrieved the kidney specimen vaginally after hysterectomy. This meant that instead of a large abdominal scar, the patient was left with only three small robotic scars (each less than 1 cm). The approach minimized pain, reduced recovery time, and allowed her to mobilise the very next day, while still ensuring complete cancer clearance. It highlights how robotic surgery and multidisciplinary teamwork can push the boundaries of minimally invasive care.”

Dr. Rubina Shanawaz, Senior Consultant, Uro-Gynaecology, Gynaec-Oncology, Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru, added, “The elderly patient suffered from dual comorbidities -advanced stage 4 uterovaginal prolapse and kidney cancer. The prolapse was severely impacting her quality of life, while the kidney tumour posed a significant health risk. By combining robotic and vaginal surgical

approaches, we could address both issues in one sitting, sparing her the need for multiple surgeries, repeated anaesthesia, and prolonged recovery. Kidney cancer often remains silent in its early stages, with symptoms rarely appearing until the disease has progressed. In this case, the tumor was detected incidentally during a routine health check-up, highlighting the importance of preventive screenings and timely intervention in achieving curative results.”

Mr. Chandrasekar R, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru said, “This case reflects Fortis Cunningham Road’s expertise in handling rare and complex conditions. Offering a scarless, minimally invasive treatment not only cured the patient of cancer but also enabled her to return to daily life much faster. We remain committed to delivering advanced, patient-centric care.”