Sanjai Addla

Sanjai Addla

Sanjai Kumar Addla is an Indian urologist, uro-oncologist, and robotic surgeon based in Hyderabad, Telangana. He is affiliated with Apollo Cancer Institutes, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, where he specializes in the surgical management of urological cancers including prostate, kidney, bladder, and testicular malignancies. Trained extensively in the United Kingdom and Belgium, Addla is regarded for introducing and developing robotic uro-oncological procedures in India, with over 600 robotic surgeries performed. His research has contributed to refining prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening thresholds for Indian men, and he is active in public awareness campaigns for early cancer detection.

Early life and education

Addla completed his MBBS from the Osmania Medical College in 1997, attending one of the most competitive medical colleges in the state. He has credited this foundational period with providing him a strong academic base and the motivation to pursue advanced training abroad.

Addla moved to the United Kingdom, where he undertook and passed clearance examinations before commencing specialist surgical training. He gained the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, and the Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Urology (FRCS Urology). He completed a post-Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) fellowship in uro-oncology at Christie Hospital, Manchester — one of Europe’s largest cancer treatment centers — and received additional advanced laparoscopic training in Belgium.

His UK training was comprehensive, covering general surgery, urology, oncology, and robotic surgery, and it exposed him to multidisciplinary cancer care models. Addla has described this period as transformative, stating that his years in England “taught me new human values and made me into who I am.”

Career

Practice in the United Kingdom (2009–2016)

From 2009 to 2016, Addla was Consultant Uro-Oncological Surgeon at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust. He led the West Yorkshire Urology Cancer Network, a regional collaboration coordinating the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of urological cancer patients across multiple hospitals.

During this tenure, he initiated and headed the hospital’s robotic surgery programme, performing complex minimally invasive procedures for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. He also founded the North of England Robotic Urological Surgeons (NERUS) group in 2014, which facilitated knowledge exchange and training among surgeons in robotic techniques.

In recognition of his clinical work, he received the Bradford NHS Trust Clinical Excellence Award in three consecutive years (2012, 2013, and 2014). In 2015, he was invited to the British Parliament to speak on improving access to robotic surgery.

Return to India and Apollo Hospitals (2016–present)

In 2016, Addla returned to India, citing the need to provide advanced surgical cancer care in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He joined Apollo Cancer Institutes, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, where he introduced and expanded robotic uro-oncological services.

At Apollo, Addla has performed between 600 and 700 robotic procedures, acting as both a mentor and proctor for other surgeons learning robotic surgery. He has implemented multidisciplinary team-based care involving medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, and surgical subspecialists. This model, he states, ensures that “care here is as good as anywhere in the world.”

His work includes management of complex prostate cancer, including nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy; robotic partial and radical nephrectomy for kidney tumors; cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer; and surgery for advanced testicular cancer, including retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND).

Medical expertise and advocacy

Testicular cancer

Addla defines testicular cancer as any malignancy arising in the testicles or surrounding tissue and highlights its high cure rates, even at advanced stages. He divides the disease into seminomatous and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors, each with different age distributions. He emphasizes self-examination as a simple and effective screening method, particularly after warm showers, and lists key risk factors including cryptorchidism and family history.

Treatment typically begins with an orchidectomy, often followed by chemotherapy such as the BEP regimen (Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin) or surgical removal of lymph nodes in advanced cases. Addla notes that while chemotherapy can cause side effects, fertility preservation through sperm banking is offered to patients before treatment.

Prostate cancer

Addla notes that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in Indian men above 65 years but often diagnosed at a more advanced stage than in Western countries. He advocates PSA testing as a primary screening tool, combined with MRI, biopsy, and staging scans when indicated. His own research has informed revised PSA thresholds suitable for Indian men.

Robotic surgery

Addla is a strong proponent of robotic surgery for urological cancers, citing benefits such as 40× magnification, improved precision, and reduced complication rates compared to open or laparoscopic surgery. He notes that recovery times are shorter — with many patients discharged the next day — and functional outcomes, particularly in prostate surgery, are improved.

Awards and recognition

• Best Reviewer Award – Indian Journal of Urology (2018)
• Clinical Excellence Awards – Bradford NHS Trust (2012, 2013, 2014)
• Invited to the British Parliament to speak on robotic surgery access (2015)
• Founder, North of England Robotic Urological Surgeons (NERUS) (2014)
• Chairman, Uro-Oncology Section, Urological Society of India (2025 – present)

Research and publications

Addla has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications, including studies in European Urology, BJU International, and the Indian Journal of Urology. His most cited paper is a prospective study that led to revised PSA thresholds for Indian men. He has also contributed to surgical textbooks and presented at numerous international and national urology conferences. He also contributed to Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in prostate cancerand investigated the efficacy of diclofenac 50 mg enteric-coated tablet

Public engagement

Addla has been active in public cancer awareness, organizing events such as a prostate cancer awareness bike rally in Hyderabad in 2024 in partnership with Apollo Cancer Institutes. He has delivered educational talks through media interviews, online platforms, and at medical conferences. His outreach focuses on the importance of early detection, patient self-awareness, and the role of specialized centers in cancer care. He also recently spoke about the New Era of Robotic-Assisted Care at the India Today Robotics and AI Conclave, 2025.

Personal life

Addla is a cricket enthusiast and developed an interest in football while living in Liverpool, UK. Despite his demanding career, Addla prioritizes family time, dedicating approximately 40-45 minutes daily to his family and children. He describes feeling grateful for his busy practice, viewing it as a blessing that allows him to serve his patients effectively.

Addla recalls his visit to the British Parliament during his time in England as a particularly meaningful personal experience, noting the historical significance of the 200-250 year old institution and its connection to Indian independence.

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