- A medical marvel
Bhopal, In a remarkable feat of medical precision and courage, surgeons at the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) have successfully removed a colossal tumor, ten times the size of a normal kidney, from a 58-year-old gas tragedy survivor. The patient had unknowingly carried this massive growth for over a year, only seeking medical attention when blood appeared in his urine a month ago.
Initially presenting with only mild abdominal swelling and occasional pain, the patient’s condition rapidly deteriorated. Investigations at BMHRC revealed an extraordinary tumor, measuring 22×18 cm—far exceeding the typical 9×3 cm kidney size. Dr. Sonveer Gautam, Assistant Professor of Cancer Surgery at BMHRC, expressed his astonishment, stating he had “never seen a kidney tumor of such immense proportions” in his career.
The surgery, fraught with extreme risks, was complicated by the tumor’s adhesion to the aorta—the body’s main artery—and other critical blood vessels, raising fears of catastrophic bleeding. Furthermore, the cancer had spread to the abdominal lymph nodes, which were also meticulously removed to prevent recurrence.
Adding to the complexity, the patient suffered a heart attack during his hospitalization, requiring blood-thinning medication. Dr. Sarika Katiyar, Professor of Anesthesiology, highlighted the challenges this posed, as such medication drastically increases bleeding risk during surgery. However, the expert team, including Dr. Kapil Kant Tripathi (Cardiology), Dr. Sandhya Ivne (Anesthesiology), and nursing staff, navigated these hurdles with exemplary skill.
Attributing the cancer to the patient’s 15-year history of bidis and gutkha use, Dr. Gautam underscored the strong link between tobacco and kidney cancer. Now recovering, the patient has vowed to quit smoking and inspire others to do the same. Dr. Manisha Srivastava, In-Charge Director of BMHRC, urged the public to never ignore unusual symptoms, emphasizing that timely diagnosis is paramount in battling life-threatening diseases like cancer.
