Surgeons have removed a massive 15lb tumour from a man's scalp in a delicate 10-hour operation.
Rabindra Bisui, 51, from West Bengal, had lived with the tumour for 25 years. The small growth ballooned in size over seven months, weighing a staggering 15.43 pounds and significantly hindered Rabindra's ability to move and carry out daily tasks, The Sun reported. Rabindra’s tumour, a synovial sarcoma, is a rare form of cancer known to develop around arm and leg joints like the knees and elbows.
This type of cancer is believed to stem from genetic mutations, where specific chromosomes are incorrectly reassembled, according to Sarcoma UK. Surgeons at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhubaneswar faced a daunting task when it came to removing Rabindra's rare and aggressive tumour.
The tumour was not only rare but also surrounded by a network of blood vessels, making the operation particularly tricky. Dr. Sanjay Giri, head of the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, highlighted the challenges they encountered. He mentioned that the tumour was abnormally swollen, increasing the risks associated with its removal from the scalp.
Given the complexity of the case, a team of specialists from various departments at AIIMS Bhubaneswar came together for the operation. The multidisciplinary team included experts in neurosurgery, anaesthesiology, interventional radiology, and surgical oncology. During the intense 10-hour procedure, surgeons were meticulous in ensuring not to damage any of Rabindra's skull bone.
Despite the challenges, the operation was a success, with the surgeons managing to completely remove the tumour. Rabindra hailed the medical team as his true saviours, likening their care to that of guardian angels who pulled him back from the brink. Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, the executive director of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, praised the team's triumph, highlighting Rabindra's seamless recovery without any complications post-surgery.
"The tumour had been afflicting him for over two decades”, the hospital said in a statement. "This achievement highlights the dedication and collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals.”
Synovial sarcoma is a rare form of cancer with only about 79 cases identified annually in England. It presents a variety of symptoms based on its size and placement within the body's soft tissue. These symptoms can present themselves as a slow-growing lump or swelling, typically around joints in the arms or legs, often accompanied by discomfort or pain.