04 Jul, 2025
04 Jul, 2025
This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal, HOD and Sr. Consultant (Urology, Uro-Oncology & Robotics), HCG Cancer Centre, Kolkata.
As a leading cancer hospital in Kolkata, HCG Cancer Centre is known for delivering patient-focused care. When we say patient-focused, we mean that we put our patients at the center of their care journey, from their first consultation to the follow-up care they receive after the treatment.
We also understand that time is of the essence when it comes to cancer care. Every day counts, and so does every hour.
Unfortunately, our reports reveal that across many hospitals in our country, the journey from the first consultation to receiving a personalized treatment plan often stretches up to 25 days. That’s precious time lost, time that could make a life-changing difference.
That’s where HCG’s Fast Track Fridays make a real impact.
Fast Track Fridays is a unique patient-focused initiative by HCG Cancer Centre, Newtown, Kolkata, that aims to cut through delays and restore hope for those diagnosed with cancer.
To learn more about Fast Track Fridays and how they benefit cancer patients, read this blog article till the end.
Fast Track Fridays is a specialized one-week OPD service offered by HCG Cancer Centre, Kolkata. It is dedicated to cancer patients only.
Aimed at accelerating the speed of cancer care delivery without compromising the quality, this cancer OPD service allows patients to receive their first consultation with one of our specialists, comprehensive tests and scans, case and report evaluation by our multidisciplinary team of doctors, development of a personalized treatment plan, and treatment plan discussion with patients and their families, all within a span of a week.
Fast Track Fridays OPD happens every Friday at HCG Kolkata. Patients from all over visit our hospital every Friday to meet our cancer specialists for personalized guidance on suspected and new cancer cases.
As one of the leading hospitals for cancer treatment in Kolkata, we strive to deliver the highest quality cancer care for our patients and stand by them as they win over cancer the right way the first time.
Having suspicious symptoms that indicate cancer can be overwhelming. Doctors asking you to undergo more tests after a routine health check-up can turn your world upside down. During these moments, what you need is clarity, solutions, and hope. The earlier you get them, the better.
The following is a walkthrough for you to understand how we take our patients from symptoms to solutions in 7 days, i.e., Friday to Friday, with our Fast Track Fridays OPD service.
Your first consultation happens on a Friday, where you will be meeting a cancer specialist from HCG to discuss your symptoms, your recent findings, and other health concerns.
The specialist will carefully evaluate your condition, discuss your personal medical history and your family history, and then recommend specific tests.
Diagnostic tests and investigations recommended by our doctors may include:
We have high-end cancer diagnostic facilities available at HCG Kolkata, which allow patients to receive superior quality and comprehensive cancer diagnostic support, involving different modalities, under a single roof.
The reports are available within 2 days, and they are diligently evaluated by our multidisciplinary team of specialists.
These specialists dive deep into the available information for a deeper understanding of individual case factors, possible risk factors involved, and the patient’s age and overall health condition.
Carefully studying these factors for each case helps in devising the best possible treatment solution, achieving desired health outcomes, and improving the quality of life and overall well-being for our patients.
Upon evaluating the case information, investigation reports, and individual case factors, our multidisciplinary team comes up with a personalized cancer treatment plan.
This cancer treatment plan focuses on addressing the specific health needs of the patient through one or a combination of cancer treatment approaches.
Commonly recommended cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy.
Personalized treatment planning plays a pivotal role in optimizing the treatment outcomes and cancer prognosis.
Once the treatment plan is charted, the patient and the attendant/family are called to discuss the case and the appropriate solution for it.
During this discussion, our specialist will explain the diagnosis and treatment plan in detail to the patient and their attendant. They are free to ask as many questions as possible. The concerns or hesitation regarding the treatment, possible outcomes, and life after cancer may also be discussed.
This discussion is essential for the patient to gain clarity about their condition, the right treatment, and life after cancer.
In most cases, after this discussion, patients consent to start their treatment at our hospital.
That said, patients are free to seek a second opinion to explore other solutions or undergo treatment at the hospital of their choice.
Multidisciplinary care refers to the care and support that is derived from the expertise of specialists coming from different disciplines to study each case for a deeper understanding of the different factors associated with it.
At HCG Kolkata, our multidisciplinary team comprises surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, nuclear medicine specialists, pain management specialists, rehabilitation or supportive care experts, and general physicians.
As mentioned earlier, specialists from the multidisciplinary team study the observations from the first consultation, reports from the tests and investigations recommended, possible cancer risk factors involved, and the patient’s health condition in order to come up with a customized treatment plan that will address their health needs and help them return to the best state of health possible.
Fast Track Fridays OPD is a comprehensive, one-week OPD model designed to help patients who want clarity about their condition and helpful solutions in a shorter time.
Regular OPD, on the other hand, is a standard outpatient visit, which is more ideal for non-complex health conditions.
The following table elucidates the key differences between the Fast Track Fridays OPD and regular OPD:
| Fast Track Fridays OPD for Cancer | Regular OPD for Cancer |
|---|---|
| Fast-tracked OPD model for consultation, investigation, report evaluation, and treatment planning for cancer cases | Regular OPD can be a part of different phases of one’s cancer journey. |
| The entire cycle from the first consultation to receiving the personalized treatment plan may take 7 days. | Duration may vary. Going from the first consultation to receiving the customized treatment plan can take 20-25 days. |
| The coordination is a multidisciplinary team-based | Patients meet one doctor for guidance |
| Ideal for new/suspected cases and complex cases | Ideal for routine checkups and follow-ups |
Fast Track Fridays OPD benefits cancer patients in numerous ways. The following are the advantages of Fast Track Fridays OPD at HCG Kolkata:
HCG Cancer Centre is a leading hospital for cancer treatment in Kolkata. With all major oncology services under one roof, HCG strives to deliver the best quality care and compassionate support to cancer patients in and around West Bengal.
We use modern cancer-fighting technologies to offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment support for different types of cancer, irrespective of the stage.
Fast Track Fridays is the newest initiative by HCG Cancer Centre, Kolkata. It aims to take the patient experience one step further by speeding up testing, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning processes and making the whole journey of cancer treatment more efficient and hassle-free for patients.
If you are looking to book a slot for Fast Track Fridays OPD service, you may use one of the following methods:
Fast Track Fridays OPD service by HCG Kolkata aims to change the landscape of OPD consultations for cancer patients. With its promise of replacing the patients’ confusion and symptoms with the clarity and solutions from expert oncologists, HCG Kolkata is all set to make the cancer journey more empowering for its patients.
Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal
HOD and Sr. Consultant (Urology, Uro-Oncology & Robotics)
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), Fellowship (Surgical Oncology), FAGE, DNB (Urology)
Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal is a Senior Uro-Oncology Consultant and Lead of the Uro Oncology and Robotics Department at HCG Cancer Centre, a leading hospital for cancer treatment in Kolkata. His expertise lies in devising individualized care plans for adrenal/kidney tumors, urothelial cancers of the upper tract, bladder tumors, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and penile cancer. His mastery in performing minimally invasive surgery using modern Robotic and Laparoscopic techniques distinguishes him as a renowned uro-oncologist in and around Kolkata. Dr. Aggarwal champions a personalized approach to urological cancer care. Dr. Aggarwal is also a prolific researcher with over 60 international publications and contributions to 4 medical textbooks.
Appointment Link: Book an Appointment with Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal.
