Doctor’s Desk Little Dancer Beats Brainstem Tumour
At 12, she faced a life-threatening tumour. Two surgeries and years of follow-up later, she is now preparing to becoming a computer engineer. For her neurosurgeon, seeing her thrive is the greatest reward
Some patients stay with a doctor long after surgery, not because the procedure was exceptionally difficult, but because the doctor has witnessed their journey back to life against daunting odds.
For Dr Manas Panigrahi, Head of Neurosurgery at KIMS Hospitals, one such patient was a 12-year-old girl who loved dancing, enjoyed school and had her whole life ahead of her. In 2014, a scan revealed a tumour in her brainstem, casting uncertainty over her future. “The brainstem is one of the most critical areas of the brain. It controls vital functions, including consciousness, movement, eye and facial movements, and swallowing. Operating in this region demands extreme precision, as even a small injury can have serious consequences,” Dr Panigrahi recalls.
A difficult decision
Her parents sought opinions at several leading centres in Delhi, where they were told that brainstem tumours could be extremely challenging to operate on. Radiation was suggested as an alternative. After weighing options, the family chose Dr Panigrahi and his team. “We used microsurgical techniques and continuous neurophysiological monitoring to identify and protect the nerve pathways responsible for facial and eye movements, swallowing and limb function. Our objective was to remove the tumour while preserving these critical functions,” he says. The surgery was successful. The biopsy revealed a Grade I benign tumour, bringing immense relief to the family. She did not require radiation or chemotherapy at that stage. She recovered and returned to school.
Tumour returned
But the journey was not over. A follow-up scan revealed that the tumour had regrown, prompting a second surgery in 2017. “Recurrence is always difficult for a family to deal with, especially after they believe the ordeal is behind them. We had to approach the second surgery with the same care and precision,” Dr Panigrahi says.
Once again, she recovered. More than eight years after the second operation, there has been no further regrowth.
From operating table to engineering
Today, the girl who once faced a frightening diagnosis is in the final year of her computer science engineering course, preparing to begin her professional journey.
For Dr Panigrahi, her progress means more than a surgery. “As doctors, we focus on treating the disease, but the real reward is seeing our patients return to their lives. In her case, I have watched a young girl grow into a confident young woman with dreams and ambitions. That is deeply satisfying,” he says.