In a significant medical advancement, Lucknow's King George's Medical University (KGMU) has introduced a novel, minimally invasive treatment for aggressive bone cancers. The procedure, known as chemoembolization, specifically targets complex bone tumours that predominantly affect teenagers and young adults, with the primary goal of preserving limbs and enhancing patients' quality of life.
A Lifesaving Alternative to Major Surgery
Hospital officials revealed that they encounter up to three such complex cases every month. The new service was inaugurated with its first successful application on Sunday, treating an 18-year-old male patient diagnosed with osteosarcoma—a fast-growing, high-grade bone cancer—in his left shoulder. Upon evaluation at the medical oncology department, doctors determined that conventional surgery posed an extremely high risk due to the tumour's size and precise location.
Faced with these challenges, a specialized team from the departments of medical oncology and interventional radiology chose chemoembolization as a strategic, limb-preserving approach. The procedure was led by Dr. Esha Jafa, Head of the Medical Oncology Department, and performed by Dr. Saurabh Kumar from Interventional Radiology. Following the successful operation, the patient was discharged.
How Chemoembolization Offers New Hope
Dr. Esha Jafa explained the critical advantage of this new technique. Traditionally, treating such aggressive cancers required major surgical intervention, frequently combined with systemic chemotherapy that affects the entire body. In advanced cases, surgery could result in substantial blood loss, prolonged recovery periods, severe limb disability, or even amputation. While systemic chemotherapy is effective, it also brings significant side effects.
Chemoembolization presents a targeted alternative. It involves delivering chemotherapy drugs directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumour, followed by blocking those vessels. This dual action cuts off the tumour's nutrient supply and concentrates the cancer-killing agents precisely where they are needed, minimizing impact on the rest of the body.
Post-procedure scans for the first patient showed a marked reduction in blood flow to the tumour and early signs of tumour cell death. The young man also experienced notable pain relief. He is now undergoing preparation for further definitive treatment under a multidisciplinary cancer care programme supervised by Dr. Jafa.
Multidisciplinary Care for Better Outcomes
Orthopaedic oncology specialist, Prof. Deepak Kumar, emphasized the transformative potential of this integrated approach. "By combining targeted treatment like chemoembolization, advanced imaging, and meticulously planned surgery, we can offer renewed hope and better outcomes to patients battling aggressive cancers such as osteosarcoma," he stated.
The introduction of chemoembolization at KGMU marks a pivotal step in oncological care in North India. It underscores a shift towards more personalized, less debilitating treatment protocols for young patients facing one of the most challenging forms of cancer, potentially saving them from life-altering amputations and improving their long-term prognosis.
