Parents of three-and-a-half-year old Ishanthi R. had almost lost hope of saving their only daughter after she was refused treatment by city-based doctors as her case involved a lot of risk. However, the 10 cm tumour in her chest, almost larger than her heart, was successfully removed at MediHope Hospital on June 11 and Ishanthi is well on the road to recovery. Her case was very rare and occurred in one out of 5 lakh children worldwide, said Dr F. Sadruddin Shariff, Consultant-Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon who took up the case after thorough investigation.
Ishanthi had a persistent cough for almost four months and after exhausting all options, her father met Dr Shariff and discussed the case. An x-ray revealed a huge swelling in the left side of the chest and a scan confirmed the tumour. Dr Shariff said: “It was a neurogenic tumour and Ishanthi's case involved a lot of risk as the tumour was too close to the spine, the aorta and the heart and it had pushed the whole lung upwards, compressing it completely.”
It was only after careful and detailed discussion with her parents and relatives regarding the risks involved, that the team of three doctors led by Dr Shariff went ahead with the surgery. “The tumour was bigger than the child’s heart (10 cm) and adherent to the chest wall in front and the spine in the back, the aorta was encased and the heart was also attached to it. The entire surgery was completed in three hours. We had expected a prolonged period of ventilation after the surgery but within a week Ishanthi was discharged. However we will be following up the case periodically for the next 2-3 years," he added.
“This case also dispels the misconception that tumours are only seen in adults, children too can get them. Prolonged common coughs, more than two weeks, should not be neglected,” said Dr Shariff. An elated Mr Rajasegran, Ishanthi's father, told this paper: “She is now fine and we are now at peace as she is our only daughter.”