In one of the most recent medical miracles around Mumbai, doctors in Thane have successfully treated a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer in adolescents.
It is definitely an inspiration for many who are sick or suffering from life-threatening diseases and their families, as they deal with it every day looking for hope in their lives to deal with it.
The young patient presented with a growing swelling on the left side of her neck, which had persisted for three months. Recognising the seriousness, the oncology team at KIMS hospital in Thane immediately conducted a high-resolution ultrasound, followed by Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). The results confirmed papillary carcinoma of the thyroid — a diagnosis that required urgent surgical intervention.
A multidisciplinary team comprising head and neck surgeons, endocrinologists, and paediatric specialists formulated a comprehensive surgical plan. The procedure involved a total thyroidectomy, central compartment neck dissection, and left lateral neck dissection to ensure complete cancer removal. Despite the complexity, the surgery was performed with precision, preserving vital structures, including the delicate recurrent laryngeal nerves that control the voice.
The patient’s recovery was observed and has been remarkable ever since the surgery. She was discharged within three days of surgery and retained her natural voice quality, a critical measure of success in thyroid cancer surgeries.
Speaking about the case, Dr Hitesh R Singhavi, head and neck surgeon, Department of Oncology, at the hospital said, “This case demonstrates the importance of early detection, timely diagnosis, and a collaborative approach in treating cancers, even in young patients. Performing such an extensive surgery while preserving the child’s voice was one of our top priorities, and we are glad to have achieved it successfully. It is stories like these that give hope to families and strengthen our resolve to provide advanced, compassionate cancer care.”
The young patient now embarks on her recovery journey with renewed confidence and a promising future ahead while helping others, who are not only young but also old, to have faith in the doctors treating them right now or in the near future.
