Bhubaneswar, Oct 8:
Doctors at the Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Bhubaneswar have successfully treated a 2.7-year-old girl diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a rare and aggressive liver tumour that had spread to her lungs, marking a major medical milestone in Odisha.
The child had been experiencing abdominal pain, swelling, and loss of appetite for months, with initial consultations at other hospitals failing to yield results. Investigations revealed a liver tumour with lung metastasis, making standard surgical options impossible.
A multidisciplinary team of 15 doctors across seven departments at KIMS carried out a Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) — a procedure in which chemotherapy is delivered directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumour. Following the TACE, surgeons performed an extended liver resection to remove the tumour successfully.
“This is one of the youngest patients in India to undergo TACE, and the procedure has opened new avenues for treating complex paediatric liver tumours in the region,” said Dr. Swati Das, interventional radiologist leading the procedure.
The child has recovered well post-surgery and is reported to be doing fine, giving hope to parents of children with similar rare conditions. Hospital officials highlighted that the success reflects the importance of coordinated, multidisciplinary care in tackling complex paediatric cancers.
This achievement marks a significant development in Odisha’s medical landscape, making advanced cancer treatment more accessible in the state.