For The First Time in Bengaluru - Cancerous Bone Travels 84 Kms to Save A Life

Fortis Hospital Bangalore gives new lease of life to a bone cancer patient by performing unique limb preservation surgery

• With the help of a green corridor, the tumour bearing bone covered 42kms from Tumkur Road Hospital to Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta in a span of half an hour
• A unique Extracorporeal Irradiation procedure was performed in a single session instead of the conventional 6 weeks radiation

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road successfully implemented a rare and unique treatment modality on a 32-year-old male, suffering from Chondrosarcoma of the pelvic bone. Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer which usually begins in the bone, but it can also occur in the tissues surrounding it. The team of doctors was led by Dr Anil Kumar M R, Lead Consultant Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore along with Dr Srinivas C H, Ortho-oncologist.

The patient was diagnosed with a malignant tumour in the pelvic bone and was admitted to Prakriya Hospital, Tumkur Road for the removal of the tumour-bearing bone. The doctors at Fortis and Prakriya Hospital, Tumkur Road decided to conduct the unique radiation modality called Extracorporeal irradiation (ECI) on the resected bone. This method involves delivering high doses of radiation in a single sitting to the operated bone compared to the conventional six weeks of radiation. While the patient was still in the operation theatre, the bone was extracted and sent to Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, for the procedure.

ECI is a relatively rare and unique method used in the management of malignant bone tumours. Earlier, many of the patients were compelled to undergo amputation. However, the recent management strategies favour limb preservation therapy (LPT) in most patients, then amputation. This has been possible because of the multidisciplinary treatments which consist of optimal use of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. This method also carries a lot of advantages as it also reduces the risk of recurrence. Above all, it has a psychological advantage the patient feels that their own bone is being used as prosthesis.

~ Dr Anil Kumar M R , Lead Consultant Radiation Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore

Source Credit: Times Of India

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