Dr. Rangaraju Ranga Rao

 Education / Training

Basic Medical Course

1971-1976    MBBS (First Attempt: 65% Aggregate) Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College, Ajmer, Rajasthan (Rajasthan University, Jaipur)
    
1976-1977    One year Compulsory Rotatory Internship at J L N Hospital, Ajmer.

Post Graduate / Post Doctoral Qualification

1982-1984 MD (Internal Medicine) (First Attempt) (Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra)

1991-1993 DM (Medical Oncology): (First Attempt) (Dr Muthulaxmi College of Oncological Sciences and Cancer Institute, Adayar, Chennai)

International Exposure in Medical Oncology

1997Clinical Exchange Program at M D Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, USA (One week)
1997Visitor at the same Institute (for six weeks)
1997Visitor at Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA (Six Weeks)
2003Visitor at Royal Marsden Hospital, Sussex, London (three weeks)

Medical/Administrative Courses in Army Medical Corps:

1977Medical Officers Basic Course (AMC Officers Training Academy, Lucknow)    
1982-1984     Advance Specialist Course in Medicine (AFMC,Pune)
1984           Ultrasonology Course (INMAS, New Delhi)    
1985     Medical Officers Junior Command Course (OTA Lucknow)
1994           Medical Officers Senior Command Course (OTA Lucknow)  


Honours & Awards

Academic

(a)Col  KK Gupta Memorial Gold Medal 1984 for standing first in Advance course Medicine 1982-84.

(b)Lt Gen  R S Hoon Award 1994 for the original paper entitled "Immuno-phenotyping of Acute Leukaemia"

(c)Best Original Article Award MJAFI 1995 for original paper entitled "use of Long - term venous Access in patients of Acute Leukaemia and NHL".

(d)Lt Gen RS Hoon Award 1996, for original paper entitled "Preliminary analysis of Alpha Interferon therapy in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia".

(e) Air Marshall Ajit Nath Guru Shanti Devi Award 1997 for original paper entitled "Impact of prophylactic use of Colony Stimulating Factors on neutropenia and infections in moderately intensive chemotherapy".

Non-Academic

(f)Awarded "Vishisht Seva Medal" by President of India for meritorious and distinguished service rendered in Armed Forces on the eve of Republic Day 2006.

Employment details

Service in Army Medical Corps

1977:  Commissioned to AMC on 15 October 1977 as a permanent commissioned officer.

1977-1982: Served as a medical officer at Pune, Ladakh, Ranchi

1982-1984 : Two year training in Internal Medicine at Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and completed MD (Internal Medicine) from Pune University.

1984-1991: Served as Internal Medicine Specialist for 7 years including teaching appointment.

1991-1993: Two year training in medical oncology on study leave at Dr Muthulaxmi College of Oncological Sciences and Cancer Institute, Adayar, Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu,

1993-2002:  Served as Medical Oncologist at Oncology centres in Armed Forces at Pune, Kolkata, Mumbai.

2002-2006: Promoted  as Colonel. Appointed as  Professor & Senior Adviser in Medical Oncology, Head Medical Oncology and Oncology Centre, Army Hospital (R &R), New Delhi.

31 January 2006: Voluntary retirement from AMC

Service in civil organisation:

2006- 31 Oct 2009: Senior Consultant, Professor and Coordinator, Dept of medical Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, New Delhi.  
Current Appointment : Consultant, HOD Medical Oncology Dept, Artemis Health Sciences, Sector 51, Gurgaon, Haryana, India

Highlights/Achievements during employment:

Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute

1.Professional
a.Unit Head of medical oncology Unit II & Unit III (one year).
b.Management of lung, esophageal, head and neck, gynaecological malignancies, lymphoma, brain tumours and sarcomas.
c.Departmental Co-ordinator.
d.Daily work load : OPD : 40-50/day; IP: 35-40/day.
2.Training :
a.Initiation of an active teaching programme for DNB students, with rotation of students in all departments.
b.Co-ordination of central training programme for all DNB students
3.Initiation of Multispecialty clinics in oncology
4.Administrative appointments
a.Member ,  Management committee
b.Chairman,  Medical Audit committee,
c.Chairman,  IT Project (clinical)
5.Research works:
a.Palliative bio-chemotherapy (cetuximab) of head and neck malignancies.
b.Gefitinib as monotherapy in head and neck cancers  
c.Palliative bio-chemotherapy (gefitinib) of head and neck malignancies
d.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of cervical cancers
e.Concurrent bio-radiotherapy of head and neck malignancies
f.Weekly chemotherapy in various malignancies
g.Thalidomide in refractory solid tumours.
6.Clinical trials :
a.Castration refractory prostate cancer : Phase III
b.Paediatric nasopharyngeal cancers : Phase III
c.Locally advanced Lung Cancer : Phase IIB
d.Locally advanced Lung Cancer : Phase III
e.Metastatic Lung cancer : Phase III
f.Pain relief management : (study withdrawn)
g.Biotherapy of brain tumours  (Co-PI)
h.Induction bio-chemotherapy of head and neck cancers ( yet to be initiated)
7.CMEs: Many held at various places in Northern India.
8.Conferences organised:
a.Lymphoma Updates 2007, 2008
b.Anti-Tobacco session: 2007
c. RGCON (26-28 March 2009), on thoracic malignancies. Over 450 delegates from all over the country, 60 national and 16 international faculty members participated.   Regarded as the best ever held conference at RGCI.

Army Hospital (R & R) (Feb 2002-Jan 2006)

1.Professional
a.Head of Oncology Centre  with 10 oncologists
b.Management of all malignancies (adult and paediatric)
c.Participated in autologous BMT programme.
d.Established 16 bedded day care centre (first ever in Armed Forces)
e.Established LAN based OPD centre (first ever)
f.Established Armed forces Oncology Group (AFOG) with officially approved chemotherapy protocols
g.Equipment and renovation of Autologous stem cell therapy centre.
2.Research activities:
a. Weekly chemotherapy in head and neck, esophageal, cervical malignancies
b.FOG chemotherapy in gall bladder cancer.
3.Conferences organised:
a.National Oncology update 2003, 2004, 2005
b.Armed Forces Oncology Group meetings -2
c.ICON 2004
d.Delhi Oncology Group meetings : 4
4.Teaching :
a.Recognition of centre for DNB teaching programme.
.
Academic Achievements

Papers Published:

1.Ranga Rao Rangaraju Sarkar U: Medicine Update Volume 19 Part II; 955-966, 2009
2.Ranga Rao Rangaraju, Konnpal ANIL, Ajit Venniyoor, Harinder Singh, Subhash RANJAN and B KAPUR. Unusual responses of refractory solid tumours to thalidomide. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology. Vol 4; issue 2: 113-117, 2008.
3.Pandey B S, Rustogi P, Anil K, Khatri S, Rao Ranga R. Migration of Entire Peripherally-Inserted Central Catheter to Pulmonary  Arteries: an Unusual Complication. IJMPO; 28(1): 33-36, 2007.
4.Pande B S, Anil K , Khatri S, Rao Ranga R. Paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia in association with metabolic  complications, in advanced carcinoma of oral cavity. IJMPO; 28(2): 44-46, 2007
5.Rao Ranga R, Anil K, Bansal R L, Dhiman A, Khatri S, Rawat S, Dewan K A. Survival benefit and efficacy of gefitinib in  recurrent /metastatic head and neck cancers. IJMPO; 2007.
6.Dhiman A, Bansal R L, Sekhon J S, Rao Ranga R, Sekhon A, Neeraj. Multiple myeloma presenting with hepatic involvement: a rare presentation. IJMPO; 2007.
7.Rao Ranga R, Venniyoor Ajit Kumar Rajat, Colony Stimulating Factors: Current recommendations. Postgraduate Medicine ; pp124-136, 2007.
8.Parikh P, Rao Ranga R. Treatment of Lung Cancer in Elderly. Lung Cancer. Vol1, 203-211, 2006.
9.H P Singh, Rao Ranga R, Nair Velu, Venniyoor AJ.  Paediatric Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia: Experience with an Intensive Chemotherapy Protocol - A Pilot Study. Ind J of ISMPO. . 26 No.3, 2005. 10-14.
10.Rao Ranga R. Targeted Therapy in Haematological Malignancies: (Proceedings of APICON 2004) Medicine Update. Vol 14,343-353, 2004.
11.Ranga Rao R; Venniyoor AJ; Singh HP. Adjuvant therapy of Early Ovarian cancer. Ind J of Med Paed Oncol. 2004 Apr; 25(1): 18-20.
12.Rao Ranga R. Prognostic Factors in ALL. Proceedings of ISMPO 2004.
13.Rao Ranga R, Venniyoor AJ. Oncological emergencies. Armed Forces Medical Manual 2003.
14.Rao Ranga R. Comprehensive Cancer care. Oncology Update,CME Book. 70-75, 2003.
15.Rao Ranga R. Hodgkin`s disease. Medicine Update, CME Book. Nov 2002.
16.Rao Ranga R. Chemoradiotherapy in Head and neck Cancers. Oncology Update Proceedings. AH RR New Delhi. Nov 2000.
17.Rao Ranga R, Sarma Y S, Mukherjee S, Mukhopadhyay SM. Improved outcome with multimodal management of Advanced Esthesioneuroblastoma. MJAFI. 54,79-81,1998.
18.Rao Ranga R. Bone Marrow and Peripheral Blood stem cell transplantation in the treatment of malignancies. Proceedings of CME of AFMRC .Feb 1998.
19.Rao Ranga R, Sarma YS, Malik R. Impact of prophylactic use of Colony Stimulating Factors on the pattern of neutropenia and infections in moderately intensive chemotherapy.  MJAFI. 53,183-188,1997.
20.Kumar R, Kumar Harsh, Rao Ranga R. Use of Long Term Venous Access with Hickmann Catheter in patients of Acute Leukaemia. MJAFI. 51,231-236, 1995.
21., Kumar R, Rao Ranga R. Haemopoietic Growth Factors in Malignancies, JAPI Nov 1995.
22.Kumar H; Kumar R; Sivadas P; Panayach JS; Rao RR; Bhardwaj Immunophenotyping of Acute Leukaemia. Critical analysis of 35 patients. MJAFI. 1995 51(3): 165-9.
23.Rao Ranga R. Introduction to Interferons. JAPI (suppl). Nov 1995.
24.Rao Ranga R. Curable Cancers. Proceedings of National Medicine Update. AFMC 1995.
25.Kumar H, Sivadas P, Rao RR. Tumour associated blood eosinophilia [correspondence] MJAFI.1995 Jan; 51(1): 75-6.
26.Rao Ranga R. Haemopoietic Growth Factors in Malignancies. JAPI. Nov 1995
27. R Ravi, R Ranga Rao, V Shanta. Integrated Approach to the Management of Patients With Advanced Germ Cell Tumors of the Testis. JSO.ISSN: 0022-4790, 1994; 55 (1): 47.
28.Rao Ranga R, Kalra SP. Bilevel AV. Block: ECG Diagnosis. J App Med. Nov 1989.
29.Rao Ranga R, Kalra S. X Ray Diagnosis: Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy : J Applied Medicine (accepted).
30.Rao Ranga R, Tutakne, AK, Dham SK, Ahuja IM. Pachydermoperiostosis (A Report of Four Cases). MJAFI. 42. 4,314-8, 1986.

Abstracts

1.Venniyoor AJ, Singh HP, Rao Ranga R.Triplet combination of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin and continuous infusion 5 FU (FOG) in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic carcinoma of gall bladder. ESMO 2006.
2.Rao Ranga R, Sarma YS, Lakhtakia R, Nandi S. Moderate doses of alpha interferon 2 b therapy with concurrent hydroxyurea in patients of CML benefits early, late chronic phase and accelerated phase. 5 year follow up.  Blood. Dec 2000.
3.Rao Ranga R. Weekly Chemotherapy in Head and neck malignancies. ASIA Pacific Cancer Conference, Chennai, 1999.

Posters

1.Rao Ranga R, Shanta S, Impact of Chemotherapy on Stage I Non Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumours. UICC, New Delhi, 1994.
2.Rao Ranga R, Sarma YS, Laktakia R. An Experience with patients of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia in a service hospital. APICON, Madras, 1995.
3.Rao Ranga R. Weekly Chemotherapy in Head and neck malignancies. ASIA Pacific Cancer Conference, Chennai, 1999.

Papers Read/Lectures delivered

1.Clinical Study of 100 cases of exertional dyspnoea : APICON 1986.
2.Mortality from IHD in a ICCU : APICON 1987.
3.Interferons in CML: 8th Biennial conference of Indian Society of Medical & Paediatric Oncology 1995, Indore. (Paper)
4.Impact of Colony Stimulating Factors on the pattern of neutropenia and infections in moderately intensive chemotherapy.  Award Winning Presentation in Armed Forces Medical Research Committee Meeting Feb 1996 at AFMC, Pune.
5.Chemotherapy of Solid tumours: Medical College Jammu, Nov 1996.
6.Management of Chronic Myeloid leukaemia: National haematology Update, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. March 1997
7.Preliminary analysis of Alpha Interferon Therapy in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia, AFMRC  1995 (Award Winner), and ISHBT Bangalore 1994 and Pune 1998.
8.Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: AFMRC 1999, Pune.(Paper)
9.Chemotherapy in Pregnancy: National Conference of Gynae Oncology at Gwalior 1999 and Pune 2000.
10.Curable Cancers: Medicine Update AFMS, Pune 1998.
11.Cancer in the Elderly: CME Command Hospital Kolkata, Nov 1999.
12.Medical Management of Cancers: National Update at Manipal Medical College Pokhra, Nepal 1999 and Nursing Symposium 2002 Army Hospital New Delhi.
13.Weekly Paclitaxel and Cisplatin: An effective palliation in Head and neck malignancies: ASIA Pacific Cancer Conference Dec 1999, Chennai.
14.Role of Chemo-protectants in management of cancer. Drug Update at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology Jan 1999.
15.Chemotherapy in Pregnancy. National Gynae Update 2000. AFMC, Pune.
16.Chemoradiotherapy in Head and neck Cancers: AH RR New Delhi Nov 2000
17.Management of Infections in neutropenic patients. INHS Asvini Medicine Update Nov 2002
18.Management of Lung Cancers: AHRR New Delhi Feb 2003
19.Chemotherapy in Early Ovarian cancer: Evidence based Medicine at TMH Mumbai, Mar 2003.
20.Dose Dense Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer RGCON Mar 2003 New Delhi  
21.Recent Advances in Management of Hodgkin’s Disease. AFMC. Nov 2003.
22.Immunotherapy of NHL :International  ISBT Conference, New Delhi Jan 2004
23.Targeted Therapy in Haematological Malignancies: APICON 2004, Hyderabad.
24.Modern Cancer management: In International Seminar in Complementary Therapy in cancer Care at Hyderabad in Feb 2004.
25.Role of Indian Systems of Medicine in Cancer Care -do - 26.Management of Early ovarian cancers: Gynec Oncology Update AIIMS Nov 2004.
27.Role of Erythropoietin in gynaecological Malignancies: national Gynae Oncology:  TMH : Nov 2004.
28.Breaking Bad News: 11 th ICON Meeting Sept 2004 Army Hospital New Delhi.
29.Prognostic Factors in ALL: ISO & ISMPO conference Bangalore Nov 2004.
30.Panel Discussion in Management of cancer Cervix : Jan 2005 AFMC Pune.
31.Tumour markers : Clinicians’ view point; AMBI (NEC) April 2005 at Shillong
32.Palliative Chemotherapy in Cancer oesophagus: AFOG experience of Platinum based chemotherapy. April 2005. New Delhi.
33.Ambulatory Management of Low Risk Febrile Neutropenia. Haematology Update AIIMS, August 2005
34.Role of EGFR in cancers: ICON Symposium New Delhi Sept 2005
35.Role of PET scan in Oncology, Clinician`s viewpoint : National Update in Nuclear Medicine, New Delhi October 2005
36.Chemotherapy of Prostate cancers: Symposium on Docetaxel at Mumbai on 17 Dec 2005.
37.Use of Cellphones and Brain Tumours: National Medical and Environmental Update AFMC, Pune December 2005.
38.Febrile Neutropenia: Debate:  Escalation of Antibiotics: National Haematology Update at AIIMS March 2006.
39.Recent Advances in prostate cancer: New Delhi August 2006
40.Curable cancers : Medical Society at Aligarh. August 2006.
41.Medical Management of Lung Cancers: National Oncology Update Army Hospital, New Delhi, March 2006.
42.ASCO Highlights: Prostate Cancer; August 2006. New Delhi.
43.An Approach to cancer patient. IMA Ajmer Nov 2006.
44.Recent Advances in Medical Oncology. IMA, Rohtak. December 2006.
45.Chemotherapy of Prostate Cancer: Urological Society of Lucknow. Feb 2007.
46.Myeloid Growth Factors: Current recommendations: CME APICON Goa: 15 Feb 2007.
47.Targeted therapy in Head and Neck cancer: Head and Neck cancer Group (Gujarat). 17 Feb 2007
48.RGCON 2007: Chemotherapy of cervical cancers
49.RGCON 2008: Panel discussion on Multimodal therapy of SCCHN.
50.CML: Recent Advances : Nov 2008 Panel discussion
51.AIIMS: Laryngeal Cancers : Nov 2008 Panel Discussion
52.RGCON 2009: Panel Discussion on Lung Cancer for GP.
53.ASCO Update (Chennai) : Aug 2009:  Lung cancers.
54.Best of ASCO 2009: Bangalore; head and neck cancers (Aug 2009)
 
Community/ Social Forums: Presentations

1.Role of Patient  Support groups in Cancer ( Army Hospitals R & R Nov 2002)
2.Importance of Group Research in cancer (Army Hospital R & R Feb 2003)
3.Role of National Cadet Corps (NCC) in prevention of cancer (Nov 2003 at Army Hospital R &R Delhi Cantt) Dec 2004.
4.Cancer and Sexuality (New Delhi Nov 2003)
5.Lifestyles and Cancer :
a.09 Nov 2003 Lecture for officers and families at Command Hospital, Lucknow.
b.Nov 2004. Bhatinda. Lecture for all ranks.
6. Tobacco and cancer (school Lecture at Mt St Mary School, New Delhi 14 Jan 2004.
7.Cancer & Lifestyles: BHEL: Oct 2006, NTPC Nov 2007;, Roorkee  Feb 2008; DPS RK Puram (2007)

Research Activities

1.Impact of Chemotherapy in Non Seminomatous germ Cell Tumour at Cancer Institute Chennai. (Thesis topic submitted to Dr MGR Medical University for DM Medical Oncology) 1993.
2.Concurrent administration of Alpha Interferon in moderate doses with hydroxyurea in chronic and accelerated phase of CML.  Carried out in 1993-1997. Evaluated the responses with clinical, haematological criteria and molecular responses (bcr-abl) using RT-PCR technique. The project was jointly carried out with National Institute of Virology, Pune.
3.Impact of use of prophylactic G-CSF in paediatric ALL with moderately intense Chemotherapy and cost benefit analysis in 1995-98. Found it to be cost effective in terms of less hospitalisation and antibiotics.
4.Weekly Chemotherapy in metastatic and recurrent head and neck cancers using Cisplatin and Paclitaxel (TP). As it was found to be less toxic and effective Ifosfamide (TIP) was added to the regime. Also the regime was used in advanced carcinoma cervix and oesophagus. So far we have treated 204 patients with this regime. (Ongoing)
5. Combination chemotherapy (FOG-Infusional 5 FU, Oxaliplatin and Gemcitabine) in advanced Gall bladder and Pancreatic cancers.
6.Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancers with two regimen -Cisplatin and Paclitaxel versus Cisplatin and infusional 5 FU in head neck cancers. We have found that regime with infusioanl 5 FU was toxic and inferior to TP regime.
7.Induction weekly regime chemotherapy with TIP followed by Surgery or Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in stage IIA and IIB carcinoma cervix. So far we have recruited seven patients. (Ongoing)
8.Use of Docetaxel in Hormone Refractory prostate Cancer (ongoing)
9.Thalidomide in refractory Solid Tumours  (Closed)
10.Weekly paclitaxel, Cisplatin and gefitinib in recurrent head and neck malignancies.
11.Cetuximab and weekly chemotherapy in recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancers.
12.Gefitinib  in recurrent head and neck cancers.

University teacher and examinership experience

1.Professor of Medicine :Delhi University from July 2002
2.Professor of Medical Oncology : National Board of Examinations, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi w.e.f Dec 2002
3.Examiner for DNB examination theory and practical : 2004 and 2005-05-04.
4.Examiner for DM (Medical Oncology) of Dr M G R medical University, Chennai.
Conferences/workshops attended

National Level:
1.Association of Physicians of India (APICON) in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 2004.
2.Indian Society of Paediatric and Medical Oncology 1993, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2002
3.Indian Society of Oncology 1992
4.Armed Forces Research Committee meetings: (AFMRC) 1985,1986, 1987, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001
5.Indian Society of Haematology and Blood Transfusion: 1995, 1999,  2003
6.Federation of obstetricians & gynaecology Societies of India (FOGSI) 1996,
7.Updates in Medicine at AFMC, and various other hospitals in Army, navy and Air Force : many
8.Oncology Updates at various Oncology Centres at Pune, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai.
9.National Haematology Update, AIIMS, New Delhi April 1997
10.Evidence based Medicine at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai 2003.
11. Indian Breast Group meeting March 1997 at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
12.Workshop on Research methodology in cancer: Clinical trials, Epidemiology and Audit, March 1997 at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.
13.Multimodal Management of Cancer - Treatment , Results & Problem and Contribution of GP-Early Diagnosis, Tobacco Awareness & Prevention, New Delhi October 2007.
14.Update in Oncology - IX, Adjuvant Therapy of Breast Cancer, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi December 2007.
15. The Best of ASCO on metastatic Lung Cancer, New Delhi July 2008.
16.Workshop on Recent Advances in Management of Gynecological Tumours at IMA Rewari, July 2008.

International Level:

1.UICC, New Delhi Nov 1994
2.ECCO-10 at Vienna, Austria 1999
3.ECCO-12 at Copenhagen, Denmark 2003
4.Asia Pacific Cancer Congress (APCC) at Chennai 1999
5.Molecular targets in Cancer Cells (UICC/SIRO Feb 2001
6.Workshop on Research Methods in Clinical Oncology sponsored by EORTC at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, Feb 2002.
7.ASCO PAN ASIA Cancer Conference (A-PACC) at New Delhi 24-26 Feb 2002.
8.International Seminar on Complementary Therapies in Cancer Management, Hyderabad Feb 2004.
9.ESMO at Istanbul Oct 2007
10.ASCO at Chicago June 2007
11.Genitourinary Conference at San Francisco, CA Feb 2008.
12.UICC, Geneva Aug 2008.
13.ECCO 2009 (Berlin)

Membership Professional Bodies

1.Association of Physicians of India (API)
2.Indian Society of Oncology (ISO)
3.Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO)
4.European Society of Medical Oncology. (ESMO)
5.Indian Cooperative Oncology Network (ICON)
6.American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)