Rare cancer surgeries cure 2 children at SGPGIMS

Lucknow: Two children suffering from rare and complex cancers were treated successfully at SGPGIMS, where doctors performed intricate surgeries to remove tumours from liver and pancreas.A 10-month-old from Ayodhya, was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare liver cancer seen in young children. Investigation revealed the tumour had affected more than 70% of the liver and was located close to a major blood vessel, making surgery particularly challenging. After four cycles of chemotherapy, doctors performed a six-hour surgery to remove the tumour while preserving healthy liver tissue.The other patient, an 11-year-old boy from Prayagraj, was admitted complaining of abdominal pain, fever and jaundice.

Tests revealed a large tumour in the head of the pancreas that was blocking the bile duct. Further investigations confirmed solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN), a rare pancreatic tumour, exceptionally uncommon in boys.The child underwent an eight-hour pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, commonly known as the Whipple procedure, to remove the tumour.Both surgeries were led by Prof Basant Kumar, head of the department of pediatric surgical superspecialities, along with a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anaesthetists and specialists.

The liver transplant unit also assisted in the hepatoblastoma surgery.Prof Kumar said timely diagnosis and treatment could significantly improve outcomes in childhood cancers. He advised parents to seek medical evaluation if children develop symptoms such as 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.