City docs treat Lankan youth for bone cancer

Sunil Singhe (name changed), an autorickshaw driver from Sri Lanka was told by doctors in his hometown that amputating his hand was the only possible solution to cure him of cancer.

However, it was a team of doctors from Bengaluru that helped re-instill hope in the young mind and salvage his hand.

Singhe, a resident of Ja-Ela, suburb of Colombo City was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (Bone cancer that produces immature bones) six months ago. Doctors in his hometown gave up on him as the condition had worsened and said that the only solution was to amputate his hand.

The 21-year-old who is back home now, recalled his experience over a telephonic conversation with Deccan Herald. “Initially, doctors tried to manage it with chemotherapy. When the results were not satisfactory, I was told that an amputation would be necessary,” he explained. 

It was when he visited Maharagama Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka that he was refered to a specialist at Manipal Hospital. Singhe, accompanied by his father then came to Bengaluru for his treatment on August 18.

 “When we heard about the possible option, we decided to pool in enough money for the medical expenses. My father has taken a bank loan of Rs 11 lakh Sri Lankan Rupees,” he said.

For someone who knows no Indian language, communication itself is a challenge. However, Singhe managed with the help of a translator from Ja-Ela who was in conversation with him over phone.

Speaking about the case, Dr Srinivas C H, Musculoskeletal Oncosurgeon from Manipal Hospitals, said that he had come with a cancer in the wrist and had to be treated immediately. “In most cases, the hand needs to be amputated. However, we decided to do away without it.”

Four-hour surgery
In a surgery that lasted for about four hours, wrist arthrodesis by ulna translocation was performed. In this procedure, Dr Srinivas explained that with the wrist having two bones, if one would be affected, the other could be used for reconstruction.

“He is doing fine now and has to undergo chemotherapy for three more months. During this time, the tissues will also heal up and he will be able to do his routine activities.

When he finds it tough to move the wrist, the body will adopt itself in a way that the shoulder compensates for it,” Dr Srinivas explained.