Successful treatment for pelvis cancer in Hyderabad

Surviving cancer is definitely a remarkable achievement in life. When a person diagnosed with cancer and there is no hope for cure, his life becomes miserable. There are a few survivors who won on the deadly disease once lost hope on their lives.

Six-feet tall and weighing over 95-kgs, Sai Prasad from Anantapur is a police man. His continuous abdominal pains was diagnosed as pelvis cancer. He consulted renowned doctors in cities like Bangaluru etc. but got no assurance.

At last he came to Hyderabad and underwent a very complicated pelvic reconstruction surgery which led to massive blood loss, requiring 70 units of blood transfusion during operation and continuous close monitoring. After a successful surgery which helped to restore the structure and function of the bone, he has resumed normal life.

When 24-year-old, Dilip complained of recurring pains in pelvic, hip and leg, the doctors in Odisha failed to diagnose not knowing that a ‘new born baby-sized tumor’ might be growing in his pelvic region. As the tumor progressed it was making even a simple activity like sitting on chair, unbearable. In last six months, Dilip’s family was running from pillar-to-post in search of right treatment in their home town.

When they reached Hyderabad and consulted at American Oncology Institute (AOI), a tumor weighing around 3 ½ kg was found in MRI scan. During a nine-hour procedure, the team of surgeons removed the tumor.

He required additional 20 units of blood during the surgery. In a bid to avoid amputation of limb, Dr Kishore performed limb salvage surgery using reconstruction. As part of the treatment the cancerous tumor was removed and then graft (mesh) was attached to the remnant tail bone. The patient is recovering well and is walking on his other leg. He will be able to get back to his normal life in next six weeks.

Not these two a 60-year old woman from Bihar who diagnosed second cancer after recovering from stomach cancer in 2009 was also successfully treated for pelvis cancer here. Another young man from Visakhapatnam, who lost his hope on his life, has all smiles on his face now.

There are three things to be noted in these cases. They are Life saving, limb saving and restoration of movement. All these surgeries were performed by Dr Kishore of American Oncology Institute (AOI), Hyderabad. The AOI, is a chain of cancer hospitals founded by a group of oncologists based in Pittsburg, USA.

They launched a comprehensive Musculoskeletal Oncology program in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. AOI unit at Nallagandla in Hyderabad currently operates an end-to-end cancer care programme providing Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, and Surgical Oncology, Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant and comprehensive diagnostic services apart from Musculoskeletal Oncology programme.

Musculoskeletal oncology is specialty of orthopedic surgery focused on the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant tumors and other unusual lesions of both the pediatric and adult musculoskeletal system. Primary bone sarcomas are rare tumors but bone sarcomas constitute the third most common cause of mortality in adolescents. Pelvic bone tumors often grow large and there are higher chances of patients’death if not treated within definite timeline.

Dr Kishore who leads the team at AOI said, “We evaluate and treat patients with primary and metastatic tumors of the bone and soft tissues. Our large team comprises specialists who can provide solutions for all types of orthopedic disorders for both cancerous and non-cancerous ones. AOI also provides a comprehensive rehabilitation program which helps patients immensely to recover faster.”

He said not only experts in the field but also equipment of international standard is must for treating patients successfully. Although rare, these cancers can develop in any part of the body that involves a bone including, hands, arms, elbows, shoulders, scapula, feet, knees, thighs, hips, pelvis, or the sacrum.

Smaller tumors have more favorable course of diagnosis and treatment than the larger ones. Distal Tumors that occur in bones farther away from the center of the body such as limbs have a more favorable prognosis than Proximal tumors that occur close to the central part of the body such as skull, vertebrae, sternum, ribs and pelvis.