Contrary to reports which until recently suggested that Yuvraj Singh had a non-malignant tumour, a leading doctor, who conducted tests on him in May-June last year, today said he had detected a 'malignant growth' and suggested immediate treatment at the best centres in the world.
Throwing new light over the issue, Dr. Pawandeep Kohli said that he had conveyed to Yuvraj's parents as early as May-June that there was a malignant mass growing in his chest, for which he should immediately rush for treatment.
According to Kohli, Yuvraj is being currently treated in the United States for what is called as mediastinal seminoma or the growth of germ cells.
"Yuvraj came to inaugurate my clinic on May 19 with his physiotherapist Dr Jatin Chaudhry, who is a good friend of mine. The event was organised after India won the World Cup and even though I did not personally know Yuvraj then, I invited him since the country had won the Cup after 1983 and he had emerged as man-of-the-tournament," Dr Kohli said.
50-year-old Kohli, who runs G-Scan Imaging and Diagnostics Centre in East of Kailash, New Delhi, said in May last year he had set up a new MRI machine, specially for sportspersons to deal with sports injuries.
"When Yuvraj came, a battery of mediapersons were present at my clinic since he was the World Cup hero. What went unnoticed then was that Yuvraj was coughing very badly. When I told Yuvraj about this, we decided to conduct tests on him May 23. A CT scan guided biopsy was done later, which revealed malignant growth. It was detected as tumour, a big mass of the mediastinum.
'Treatment was delayed'
Yuvraj father Yograj Singh had earlier on Monday lamented that his son's treatment was delayed a bit and that the dashing left-hander had not taken seriously his advice to get himself checked up two years back.
"I don't want to blame anyone. But I feel that things could have been different today. If you recall, two years when Yuvi was playing in a T20 match at Mohali and played match-winning innings, in which after hitting a six he came running towards Suresh Raina and could be seen coughing badly," Yograj recalled how the early signs of his son's illness were not picked up seriously.
Struggling to hold back his tears, the former Test cricketer said he had then advised Yuvraj to get a thorough medical check up done, but he had brushed it aside saying he was not a kid and that he was alright.
"But I knew that something was wrong. Six months back the doctor who saw the laboratory reports of Yuvraj had pleaded that he should be taken to the US for treatment. With folded hands, the doctor said that best treatment is available in the US, but I don't blame anyone," he said speaking at his residence here.