Imphal, 20th Jul 2023: American Oncology Institute Imphal, gave a new lease of life to a 19-year-old female patient suffering from gastrointestinal (GI) primary cancer. The patient had already had surgeries in another hospital, including a laparotomy, bilateral oophorectomy (the removal of both ovaries), infracolic omentectomy (the removal of a fatty tissue layer in her abdomen), and the creation of an opening in her belly for waste to leave the body. The surgical samples indicated a rare type of GI cancer called "signet ring cell adenocarcinoma".
At American Oncology Institute Imphal, she received eight cycles of standard chemotherapy as part of her treatment plan. After the completion of this chemotherapy regimen, a PET-CT scan was performed to assess the treatment's effectiveness.
While the results showed some improvement, the cancer had not completely cleared, and the patient was not deemed suitable for further surgery at that point. The dedicated medical team, led by Dr Shibashish Bhattacharyya formulated a new treatment approach called chemoimmunotherapy and initiated six cycles of this specialized therapy.
Explaining the rare cancer, Prof, (Dr) Major (Retd.) Shibashish Bhattacharyya, Medical Onoclogy & Hemato Oncology, American Oncology Institute (AOI), Imphal, said, “Signet ring cell adenocarcinoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in glandular cells. It is most often found in the stomach but can develop in other parts of the body. Considering the age of the patient and complexities, we planned for Chemoimmunotherapy. It is a combination treatment approach that combines chemotherapy with immunotherapy. Chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs to kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells. On the other hand, immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps the body's immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. When these two treatments are used together, they can enhance each other's effectiveness and potentially provide better outcomes for certain types of cancer. Chemoimmunotherapy aims to not only directly target cancer cells with chemotherapy but also stimulate the body's immune response to recognize and fight the cancer cells more effectively.”
The perseverance and dedication of the medical team was successful, as the patient's condition significantly improved with the chemoimmunotherapy. Following this positive response, she became eligible for further surgical intervention. Dr Dhanabir Thangjam, Surgical Oncologist at AOI performed a radical surgery along with the reversal of the ileostomy.
Dr Dhanabir Thangjam, Surgical Oncologist at AOI, explained, “Our patient's bravery and resilience, combined with the dedication of our medical team, made this transformative journey possible. Radical surgery is more extensive than "conservative" surgery. As the patient's condition had improved after the successful radical surgery, we were able to reconnect the small intestine back to its normal place inside the body through reversal of the ileostomy. The restoration of her digestive system will have a significant role in improving her quality of life. We remain committed to providing the best care possible and will continue to support her on her path to recovery and wellness.”
The combined efforts of the Medical Oncologist, and the innovative combination treatment approach made a positive impact for the patient. Furthermore, the surgical expertise led to a successful procedure, improving the patient's overall quality of life.
Dr Amit Dhawan, Regional COO, American Oncology Institute, Imphal, said, "The case of this brave young woman serves as a testament to the compassion, expertise, and commitment of the medical professionals at American Oncology Institute Imphal. Our focus on personalized treatment plans and close collaboration between our medical and surgical teams played a pivotal role in the successful treatment. We are dedicated to providing world-class cancer care and are proud to witness such remarkable outcomes for our patients.”
American Oncology Institute (AOI) operates its full-fledged cancer facility at Babina Specialty Hospital, Imphal. The facility, regarded as the best cancer hospital in Imphal, provides the full-range of oncology-related services in surgical, medical with chemotherapy, radiation, and pediatric hemato-oncology. In addition, the hospital also provides services related to head & neck surgeries, pulmonology, urology, gastroenterology & gastro surgery. AOI Imphal is the first center of excellence for Nuclear Medicine that provides advanced imaging techniques such as PET Scan & Gamma camera dedicated to Iodine therapies in Manipur, thus making it the best cancer hospital near Imphal and the adjoining states and neighbouring country, Myanmar. Apart from the latest equipment and world-class technology, patients of AOI Imphal have access to the team of highly skilled and experienced cancer doctors in Imphal.
