Hyderabad: The oesophagus or the food pipe was replaced with tissues from the colon or large intestine in a patient who had a recurrence of laryngeal cancer, at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences here. Ms R. Latha, 35, from Nizamabad was first diagnosed with the cancer in 2011 and was given four cycles of radiation. She suffered a relapse in 2015, and the cancer affected her oral cavity and the food pipe, making it difficult for her to eat or talk.
Ms Latha underwent surgery of the larynx but it didn’t help as the cancer grew back. Dr Bheerapppa Nagari, surgical gastroentroloigist at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, examined her condition and suggested colonic interposition as a means to deal with the cancerous tissues. Dr Nagari explained, “The surgical intervention was required as the larynx and food pipe had been damaged. After removing these diseased parts, they had to be replaced and tissues from the colon or large intestine were taken. The food pipe was recreated with these tissues.” The operation lasted 10 hours. Ms Latha is now able to take soft foods.
