Times of India featuring Dr. Saurabh Mohite Oncosurgeon in Pune
Eighteen-year-old Ketan Shedage, a class 12th student, is all smiles today after he was successfully operated on for a rare type of malignant cancerous tumour affecting his breast bone (sternum) and chest wall. The tumour had extended into the neck, very close to the windpipe (trachea) and also infiltrated the covering of the heart (pericardium).
"Chondrosarcoma is a rare tumour of the chest wall. In Ketan's case, the tumour had grown into a huge lump measuring 10X10 cm and spread locally. This is the third case in my career as a cancer surgeon. However, compared to the last two cases, this was more complex," said oncosurgeon Saurabh Mohite who conducted the surgery along with oncosurgeon Mahesh Sinnarkar at Ruby Hall Clinic on July 23.
The Ruby Hall Clinic also waived off all the surgery charges, considering Ketan's financial constraints.
Mohite elaborated, "Usually, a tumour of chondrosarcoma arises from the rib but in this case it had grown from a sternum (breastbone) which is very rare. In cases where the tumour has grown from the rib, reconstruction of the chest wall is easy. We can remove the ribs if needed and reconstruct the chest wall, but when the tumour arises from the breast bone, as in Ketan's case, the removal is risky and very challenging due to the tumour's proximity to vital organs like heart, aorta, great vein (that carry blood to the heart) and windpipe."
Ketan developed a small lump-like structure which was visible right below the neck. "We consulted a surgeon who conducted a surgery and removed it. Within a month of the surgery, the lump started to grow back. This time it was bigger. I took Ketan to cancer experts at Ruby Hall Cancer Centre," said Ketan's brother, Chetan.
After an MRI and CT scan, cancer experts at Ruby Hall diagnosed Ketan was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma in June.
"The doctor told me that the tumour had spread to other organs and advised surgery. He was operated on July 23 and was discharged on August 3. He is doing well now.
The doctor suggested radiation therapy to avoid recurrence," said Chetan.
Commenting on the recurrence factorof cancerous tumours, oncosurgeon Mahesh Sinnarkar said, "The chances of recurrence are still there. However, we have removed the tumour by taking a wide local excision so that there should not be any scope for recurrence. We have also planned radiation therapy for the patient so that if some cancerous cells are left, then they can be dealt with."
The keys to successful treatment are early recognition and radical excision with adequate margins. Overall survival is excellent in most surgical series from experienced centres, said Sinnerkar.
Ketan's case was discussed in Ruby's tumour board and treatment was planned after taking opinion of various specialists.
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