Dr. Prasanth Poolakkil: Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Assistant Professor – Malabar Cancer Center, India
Dr. Prasanth Poolakkil is an accomplished Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist with over 2.5 years of experience specializing in the comprehensive management of cancers, including gastrointestinal, breast, head and neck, musculoskeletal, urologic, and gynecologic oncology. With a keen interest in minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Poolakkil is dedicated to advancing surgical care, particularly through laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries. His training includes hands-on observerships at prestigious centers such as Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, enhancing his expertise in thoracic and surgical oncology. Currently, he serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Malabar Cancer Centre, Kannur, Kerala, where he combines clinical care with teaching responsibilities.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Poolakkil completed his DrNB in Surgical Oncology at Malabar Cancer Centre, where he received intensive training in cancer surgeries and patient management. His DNB in General Surgery from the National Board of Examinations equipped him with foundational surgical skills, which were further honed at Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences. He graduated with an MBBS degree from Govt. Medical College, Thrissur, in 2012, where he began his journey into medicine. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Poolakkil consistently pursued advanced training in oncology, including notable observerships in thoracic oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital and surgical oncology at RCC Thiruvananthapuram.
Research Focus
Dr. Poolakkil’s research is centered around improving the outcomes of surgical oncology, particularly in colorectal cancer recurrence, sarcoma management, and innovative approaches to minimally invasive surgeries. His work critically evaluates the patterns of cancer recurrence, focusing on colorectal cancers treated with curative intent, and he has contributed significantly to understanding the effectiveness of salvage therapies. Additionally, his research into the management of complex soft tissue sarcomas of the foot and ankle provides valuable insights into difficult-to-treat malignancies. Dr. Poolakkil’s commitment to improving patient care is also reflected in his focus on developing more effective, less invasive surgical techniques, especially for gastrointestinal and pelvic cancers.
Experience
Dr. Poolakkil’s professional journey began as a Junior Resident at Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (2015–2018), where he developed a strong foundation in general surgery. He then went on to serve as Senior Resident in General Surgery at PK Das Institute of Medical Sciences and later transitioned into the field of surgical oncology. As a Senior Resident at Malabar Cancer Centre from 2019 to 2022, Dr. Poolakkil worked on complex oncology cases, refining his skills in both open and minimally invasive procedures. Since December 2022, he has been serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology at Malabar Cancer Centre, where he combines clinical work with academic responsibilities, teaching the next generation of surgical oncologists.
Research Timeline
2021: Presented a retrospective study on the recurrence patterns in colorectal cancer at the IASO NATCON, bringing forward data from a tertiary cancer center in South India.
2024: Delivered a presentation on the challenges in managing foot and ankle sarcomas at IASO MIDCON, exploring the latest treatment methodologies.
2024: Contributed insights into salvage therapies for colorectal cancer recurrence in an upcoming presentation at IASO NATCON, shedding light on low-intensity treatment regimens.
2025: Scheduled for an oral award presentation at ISO-KAMOsH, Mangalore, on ureteral resections in non-urologic abdominal malignancies.
(Note: Provide specific presentation dates for accuracy)
Awards & Honors
Dr. Poolakkil’s contributions to both clinical practice and research have been recognized through multiple prestigious awards. In 2023, he was awarded the Best Paper of the Year Award from the CRST Journal for his work on the recurrence patterns in colorectal cancer. He has also been invited as a faculty speaker at several national oncology conferences, such as Onco-habitare 2024 and UGOCON 2024. His ability to blend clinical expertise with teaching has made him a sought-after mentor and speaker at various oncology forums. In 2025, he will be presenting at the ISO-KAMOsH Conference in Mangalore, where his research on ureteral resections will be featured.
Recent Publications
Poolakkil, P., Thavarool, S. B., Balasubramanyam, S., & Philip, K. J. (2021). Dedifferentiation in thyroid cancer: An increasingly appreciated concept. International Surgery Journal, 8(2), 757–759. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20210019
Poolakkil, P., et al. (2023). Diversion colostomy in obstructed rectal cancer with dilated colon: A novel technique to avoid faecal spillage. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 49(2), e139–e140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2022.11.273
Poolakkil, P., Neelakandan, V., & Khan, F. (2023). Granulomatous mastitis—a close mimicker of carcinoma breast: Our experience. SN Comprehensive Clinical Medicine, 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42399-023-01578-x
Poolakkil, P., Pareekutty, N. M., Balasubramanian, S., Nethrakare, A., & Anilkumar, B. (2024). Real-world data on the pattern of recurrence of colorectal cancer at a tertiary cancer center in South India: A retrospective observational study. Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment, 7(1), 36–44. https://doi.org/10.4103/crst.crst_209_23
Poolakkil, P., Pareekutty, N. M., Balasubramanian, S., Nethrakare, A., & Anilkumar, B. (2024). Challenges in the management of foot and ankle sarcomas: A retrospective analysis in a tertiary cancer institute in South India. Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment, 7(3), 318–325. https://doi.org/10.4103/crst.crst_6_24
Poolakkil, P., Pareekutty, N., Balasubramanian, S., Nethrakare, A., & Anilkumar, B. (2025). Feasibility and outcomes of salvage therapy for recurrence in colorectal cancer patients followed up with a low-intensity regime. Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-025-02227-6
Alappatt, J., Poolakkil, P., Pareekutty, N., Balasubramanian, S., Nethrakare, A., & Anilkumar, B. (2025). Incidence and predictive factors of pathological complete response in rectal cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Indian Journal of Surgical Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13193-025-02393-7