“Tribal Girl’s Life Saved After Rare Tumor and Heart Defect Detected and Treated at KIMS Hospital”
Varahimedia.com online news,Hyderabad, January 6, 2025: A 15-year-old tribal girl from Khammam district was diagnosed with a rare tumor situated between her heart and lungs. In
Varahimedia.com online news,Hyderabad, January 6, 2025: A 15-year-old tribal girl from Khammam district was diagnosed with a rare tumor situated between her heart and lungs. In addition, she had a large hole in the heart known as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD). Faced with these life-threatening conditions, the girl underwent a complex surgery at Kondapur KIMS Hospital, led by Dr. Nisarga, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, and Dr. C. Rohan Reddy, Consultant Minimal Invasive Onco-Thoracic Surgeon. Their expert intervention successfully saved her life.
The medical team shared the details of her case:
The girl, from a family of daily wage laborers in Khammam, had long suffered from congenital heart issues, including a significant ASD, which had gone unnoticed due to her parents’ lack of awareness. She began experiencing severe breathlessness, prompting her to seek medical attention.
Local doctors referred her to KIMS Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a rare mediastinal teratoma-a tumor located between her lungs and in front of the heart. During further examination, the previously undiagnosed ASD was also detected.
This hole in her heart was causing the mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, leading to serious circulatory complications.
The surgical team first performed a procedure to remove the teratoma, which had already spread to the heart’s outer layer (pericardium) and partially adhered to the lungs. Teratomas, often congenital, can gradually spread to nearby organs like the lungs. In this case, the tumor had extended into the left chest cavity, pressing on vital nerves and blood vessels.
Its complete removal required excising a small portion of the lung, though fortunately, this did not affect the lung’s function. Once the tumor was removed, the ASD was repaired by stopping the heart and using a cardiopulmonary bypass machine. The heart’s outer layer was used to repair the large hole.
Thanks to the support of pediatric critical care specialists and physiotherapists, the girl made a quick recovery and was discharged just five days after the surgery.
Teratomas, also known as germ cell tumors, are typically localized but can be aggressive in some cases, making their removal more challenging. The tumor in this case contained granular materials, such as hair and cartilage, surrounded by a thick, shell-like membrane. Removing such tumors requires exceptional skill and access to advanced medical facilities.
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