2 yrs on, cancer-afflicted child returns to school

Nampally: An 8-year old boy who has been battling with bone cancer for almost two years has been able to return to school, as his treatment is facilitated by a city-based NGO. The boy underwent a highly complex excision (removal) of the tumour and bone graft and a titanium implant was fixed at MNJ Cancer Hospital at Red Hills.

• Syed Farhan, 8, celebrated his first day at school after double promotion to Class 3 on Wednesday

• Helping Hand Foundation, Arogyasri Trust pitch in with financial support

• A team of doctors at MNJ Cancer Hospital perform highly complex excision

Syed Farhan, a native of Warangal district and son of a daily wage earner, complained of severe pain in the knee in January 2018. Routine examination showed a mass and also swelling in the knee. Further investigations revealed that the boy was suffering from Ewing's sarcoma a relatively aggressive form of malignant bone cancer in children.

He was immediately put on chemotherapy at a top private cancer hospital in the city with the help of CM Relief Fund for 6 cycles, which concluded in June 2018. "The chemotherapy was done to shrink the size of the large malignant tumour on the femur bone.

Farhan was required to undergo a highly complex excision (removal) of the tumour and bone graft. A titanium implant was recommended for the bone graft and the total cost of this surgery was estimated to be Rs 6 lakh," said Mujtaba Hasan Askari, president, Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), the NGO.

At this point, Syed Ghouse, the father of the child, approached HHF for financial assistance. HHF evaluated the case and turned them to the state-run MNJ Cancer hospital.

The case was referred to the tumour board to evaluate the feasibility of excision and bone graft, given that the Ewing's sarcoma is an aggressive form of malignant tumours. The tumour board decision was important as this required a multi-disciplinary team comprising ortho oncologist, surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon whose presence was required to ensure that the soft tissue and vascular structure remain intact.

Finally, the tumour board at MNJ Cancer Hospital gave the consent but a new problem arose as the father of the child was not confident that the surgery can be done at MNJ Cancer hospital as he perceived threat to the child's life.

Between September 2018 and December 2018, when the whole case was being discussed and arrangements were being made to procure the titanium prosthesis, the father took the child home 3 times against medical advice as he was not confident that his child would be operated and his life saved. However after sustained counselling, he agreed to the surgery at the state-run cancer hospital.

According to Mujtaba Hasan Askari, the titanium implant was procured as per exact measurements obtained through bone scan at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh. The foundation contributed Rs 1 lakh and the balance was obtained from the Aryogyasri funds allocated to the hospital for cancer surgeries.

"A complex 8-hour surgery was done on January 7, 2019 by a team led by Dr Umakanth Goud, Professor and Unit Head, along with Dr Mujtaba Ali, Assistant Professor Surgical Oncology, at MNJ Cancer Hospital. The bone grafting was done and the titanium implant fixed," added Mujtaba.

Farhan underwent six cycles of chemotherapy post-surgery and rehabilitation to help him walk. Being a bright student, he was re admitted in Class 3 at Al-Noor High School at LB Nagar in Warangal after double promotion.

June 19, was his first day in school after a gap of 2 years and long battle with bone cancer. "We are glad that we counselled the family and provided field-level assistance and coordination at the hospital, this helped us save precious resources and with the cooperation of the team of doctors at the MNJ cancer hospital, the cost of surgery and rehabilitation was zero to the patient," said Mujtaba.