In a significant medical achievement, doctors at Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow successfully treated two children suffering from rare and complex cancers. The patients, a 10-month-old infant and an 11-year-old boy, underwent intricate surgeries to remove tumors from the liver and pancreas, respectively.
Infant with Hepatoblastoma
The first patient, a 10-month-old from Ayodhya, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer primarily affecting young children. Investigations revealed that the tumor had infiltrated more than 70% of the liver and was positioned dangerously close to a major blood vessel, making surgical intervention extremely challenging. Following four cycles of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, doctors performed a six-hour surgery to excise the tumor while preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible.
Boy with Rare Pancreatic Tumor
The second patient, an 11-year-old boy from Prayagraj, presented with abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice. Diagnostic imaging uncovered a large tumor in the head of the pancreas that was obstructing the bile duct. Further analysis confirmed solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN), a rare pancreatic tumor that is exceptionally uncommon in boys. The child underwent an eight-hour pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as the Whipple procedure, to remove the tumor. This complex surgery involves removing the head of the pancreas, the duodenum, and part of the bile duct, then reconstructing the digestive tract.
Multidisciplinary Team Effort
Both surgeries were led by Professor Basant Kumar, head of the department of pediatric surgical superspecialities at SGPGIMS. A multidisciplinary team comprising surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other specialists collaborated for the procedures. The liver transplant unit also provided assistance during the hepatoblastoma surgery, ensuring optimal outcomes.
Professor Kumar emphasized that timely diagnosis and treatment significantly improve outcomes in childhood cancers. He advised parents to seek medical evaluation if children develop persistent abdominal pain, unexplained abdominal swelling, jaundice, recurrent fever, or unexplained weight loss. According to SGPGIMS, both children have recovered well after surgery and are doing well on follow-up.
