Tennis Ball-Sized Tumor Removed from A 2-Year-Old Diagnosed with Rare Kidney Cancer

A 2-year-old girl arrived at Sarvodaya Hospital, Sec 8, Faridabad with a large mass in her stomach, along with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. These initial signs were first leading the doctors to neuroblastoma, a type of abdominal cancer. However, before starting any treatment, further evaluation were performed that revealed a more serious condition - Rhabdoid Tumor, a rare and aggressive form of kidney cancer.

The tumor was tennis ball-sized and presented a serious threat. If left untreated, it could have grown and spread to other organs, potentially becoming life-threatening to the toddler.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment

Doctors at Sarvodaya Hospital took a multidisciplinary approach to treat the girl.

Diagnosis: While initial signs mimicked another cancer, doctors were able to accurately diagnose the aggressive Rhabdoid Tumor.

Chemotherapy: Medical oncologists administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink the tumor size, making surgery safer and more effective.

Complex Surgery: Due to the tumor's large size and location near vital organs, a team of surgical oncologists, pediatric surgeons, and anesthesia specialists collaborated to safely remove the tumor despite the risk of rupture and spillage.

This case highlights the importance of a well-coordinated team effort in treating complex childhood cancers. The combined expertise of medical oncologists, surgeons, pediatricians, and anesthesiologists played a crucial role in saving the girl's life.