Recently, clinicians at SGPGIMS in Lucknow achieved a major milestone in pediatric cancer surgery. Specifically, they successfully treated two young children suffering from rare, complex tumors of the liver and pancreas. Consequently, both pediatric patients are now recovering well after these highly intricate surgical procedures.
Revisiting Hepatoblastoma in a 10-Month-Old
A ten-month-old infant from Ayodhya presented with hepatoblastoma, a rare type of childhood liver cancer. Additionally, initial medical investigations revealed that the aggressive tumor affected more than 70 percent of the liver. Furthermore, the mass was located extremely close to a major hepatic blood vessel, raising surgical risks. Therefore, the pediatric team administered four cycles of intensive chemotherapy to shrink the tumor first. Afterward, the multidisciplinary surgical team performed an intensive six-hour surgery to excise the tumor. Ultimately, they successfully removed the cancerous tissue while preserving the infant’s healthy liver.
A Whipple Procedure for Pediatric Cancer Surgery
The second patient was an eleven-year-old boy from Prayagraj who presented with severe abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice. Subsequent clinical tests revealed a large tumor in the pancreatic head blocking his bile duct. Moreover, advanced diagnostic pathology confirmed solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN). Importantly, this rare type of pancreatic tumor occurs exceptionally infrequently in young boys. To treat this, the child underwent a challenging eight-hour pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, also called a Whipple procedure. Fortunately, the surgical team removed the entire pancreatic tumor successfully without major complications.
Multidisciplinary Approach and Warning Signs
Prof Basant Kumar led both complex operations along with a dedicated team of pediatric surgical specialists. In addition, the liver transplant unit actively assisted during the challenging hepatoblastoma surgery. Hence, Prof Kumar emphasizes that early diagnosis significantly improves clinical outcomes. For instance, parents should seek immediate medical help if their child develops unexplained abdominal swelling or pain. Similarly, persistent jaundice, recurrent fever, and sudden weight loss require urgent pediatric evaluation. Both children have recovered remarkably well and are now attending regular follow-up clinics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is SPEN and is it common in boys?
Solid pseudopapillary epithelial neoplasm (SPEN) is a very rare pancreatic tumor. Notably, it is exceptionally uncommon in young boys, as it predominantly affects adolescent girls and young women.
Q2: Why was the hepatoblastoma surgery at SGPGIMS particularly challenging?
The surgery was highly challenging because the tumor had affected more than 70 percent of the infant’s liver. Furthermore, the mass was located extremely close to a major blood vessel, requiring assistance from the liver transplant unit.
Q3: What warning signs of childhood cancer should parents watch out for?
Parents should watch for persistent abdominal pain, unexplained swelling, jaundice, recurrent fever, or sudden unexplained weight loss. Consequently, timely medical evaluations can significantly improve clinical outcomes in pediatric care.
References
- Rare cancer surgeries cure 2 children at SGPGIMS – ETHealthworld
- The Times of India. Rare cancer surgeries cure 2 children at SGPGIMS. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. Department of Pediatric Surgical Superspecialties. https://sgpgi.org.in
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