A closer look at the hospital

Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai is a major cancer hospital within Tata Memorial Centre, combining care, research and training. Disease-focused services span surgery, medicines and radiotherapy. International patients should first establish the receiving institution and campus before completing registration and treatment arrangements.

Published clinical and academic work includes pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Complex abdominal operations require pathology, staging, nutrition and any preoperative treatment to be considered together. The patient booklet explains registration and international coordination, with scheduling and charges confirmed after case acceptance.

Clinical strengths

Pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer surgery

The surgical programme includes pancreatic and other gastrointestinal cancer care and research. Assessment should include contrast imaging, pathology, biliary procedures and preoperative therapy to discuss resectability and perioperative care.

Multidisciplinary treatment planning

Surgical, medical and radiation services can contribute to a disease-specific plan. Ask about treatment order, tests requiring review and whether a stay in Mumbai is needed throughout treatment.

Pathology review and follow-up

Accurate pathology and staging underpin referral review. Confirm how slides, tissue blocks and imaging should be submitted. Before returning home, obtain a treatment summary and follow-up plan.

Specialists & clinical teams

Shailesh Shrikhande

Pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer surgery

Tata Memorial Centre’s academic information documents his pancreatic and gastrointestinal surgical work, relevant to complex abdominal surgery and treatment sequencing.

View supporting source

Gastrointestinal and collaborating cancer teams

Surgery, medical oncology and radiotherapy

Services are organised around disease and clinical need. International referrals should specify whether the main request concerns surgery, medicines or the overall plan so relevant assessment can be arranged.

View supporting source

Study results describe selected patient groups, not an individual doctor’s success rate. Availability, case acceptance and the treating team require hospital confirmation.

Your international care journey

Follow the foreign patient pathway in the patient booklet, contacting international coordination and completing the required preregistration. Confirm the receiving hospital, records, appointment and charges before travel; locations and services differ across Tata Memorial Centre institutions.

Share your records and questions
Send the diagnosis, pathology, imaging and treatment history. Explain whether you want a second opinion, information about a treatment or an in-person visit. We help organise the records and identify missing information.
Confirm the specialty and acceptance
The relevant service confirms whether it can accept the case and whether pathology review or more records are needed. The hospital determines whether remote assessment or a multidisciplinary opinion is appropriate.
Agree appointments, costs and travel
Confirm the campus, first appointment, proposed assessment and payment requirements before arranging visas, accommodation, transport and interpreting. Discuss caregivers and length of stay when repeated treatment is expected.
Attend assessment and discuss the plan
The clinicians assess the case, arrange necessary tests and explain suitable options, expected benefits and risks. Discuss costs and logistics alongside the clinical plan before deciding on the next step.
Stay informed during treatment
Agreed support can include appointments, interpreting and communication during care. Keep track of questions and clinical feedback, and review schedules, costs and family arrangements if the treatment plan changes.
Return home with a follow-up plan
Before departure, collect the discharge summary, pathology and imaging, medicines and follow-up plan. Clarify pending reports and contact arrangements, with support for communication between local and treating clinicians where agreed.

What to prepare for the first enquiry

Contact the international patient liaison service before registration. Prepare identity documents, a medical summary, pathology and imaging, and confirm the campus and initial consultation arrangements.

Diagnosis & pathology

Diagnosis summary, complete pathology, immunohistochemistry, available molecular tests and where tissue is held.

Original imaging

Recent and pretreatment imaging studies with reports and dates, so changes can be compared.

Treatment timeline

Operations, radiotherapy plans, each drug regimen, responses and major side effects; current medicines and allergies.

Your practical needs

Home country, preferred language, possible travel dates, caregiver needs and the questions you want answered.

Start with the records you already have. We can help identify gaps; do not arrange additional tests solely to make an enquiry.

See the full records checklist

Practical details to settle before travel

Costs & payment

Ask what the hospital estimate includes, deposits, additional charges and refund arrangements. Plan travel and living costs separately. Insurance coverage and direct billing require confirmation.

Language & records

Confirm interpreting for appointments, communication during treatment and the language of records. Our China coordination includes Chinese and English support; other languages need advance confirmation of availability and arrangements.

Campus, accommodation & caregivers

Consultations, tests and admission may take place at different sites. Distance, accessibility, caregiver rules and follow-up frequency all affect the itinerary and should be considered once the clinical plan is clearer.

Length of stay & returning home

Assessment, surgery, radiotherapy and cellular treatment have different schedules. Ask the hospital for the expected course, allowing for results and changes in the plan. Confirm readiness to return home with the clinical team.

How Chirona can help

If you are comparing hospitals in different countries, we can first help organise your records, priorities and questions. We will explain the coordination available for the particular institution before accepting an engagement; its international service confirms clinical acceptance.

The hospital and clinicians make diagnostic, treatment and acceptance decisions. Chirona provides consultation and care coordination within the agreed scope.

Explore our service process

Questions before you decide

Can treatment start as soon as I arrive in Mumbai?

Treatment usually follows registration, specialist assessment and any necessary review of records. Obtain the hospital’s proposed initial visit and next steps in advance, allowing time for tests and planning.

Can I request one of the specialists featured here?

Tell us your preference and we can help enquire. The hospital confirms acceptance, the specialist’s involvement and who provides outpatient or inpatient care. It may also recommend another suitable clinician within the specialty.

Can I contact Chirona before choosing a hospital?

Yes. Share the diagnosis, treatment history and the decision you need help with. We can organise the questions to consider when comparing hospitals and explain the coordination available.

Does submitting records confirm treatment?

Submitting records starts the assessment. The hospital must confirm acceptance and clinical suitability and may require more information or in-person tests. Appointment confirmation, the treatment plan and costs should be clarified separately.

Sources & further reading

Profiles draw on the institutional sources below, including historical material where it explains a programme’s development. Appointments, services and research recruitment can change and need confirmation when enquiring.