Salvaging a Limb with Osteosarcoma of a Foreign Patient

A 17 year old young man from a foreign country (Bangladesh), had been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (A type of bone cancer) of left upper humerus in his native country. The MRI of left shoulder revealed a localized tumour 7.5 X 7 X 6.7 cm involving left humerus (Bone of the upper arm or forelimb). As per protocol, after metastatic work up, he received 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Bangladesh. The young man had been advised for amputation of the Limb in his country and also in Chennai. The family came to Kolkata as a last hope. After thorough clinical evaluation and a Tumor Board opinion, the patient had been reassessed radiologically with MRI and metastatic work up. On further discussion, the young man was planned for Limb Salvage Surgery (LSS) and after obtaining written and informed consent along with pre - anaesthetic check up and medical clearance, he was posted for surgery under Dr. Oindrila Biswas, (MS, MCh Surgical Oncologist) at Ruby General Hospital. Limb Salvage Surgery (LSS) (A surgery to remove a tumor in a limb without removing the whole limb) and Megaprosthesis Reconstruction with expandable Unipolar custom made Titanium was done. The post operative period had been uneventful. On the second post operative day rehabilitation was started and discharged on the seventh post operative day with forearm and hand function intact. Presently, the young man is doing well and ready to return to his country with his new self. The family is very grateful that that they had chosen Ruby Cancer Centre for treatment and thanked the expert team of oncologists for keeping their faith.