MGM Healthcare Doctors Save a Polish Pediatrician from A Rare Bile Duct Liver Cancer for The First Time.

MGM Healthcare Doctors Save a Polish Pediatrician from A Rare Bile Duct Liver Cancer for The First Time.

Chennai, April 25, 2024: MGM Healthcare is proud to announce the successful recovery of a patient diagnosed with a rare bile duct cancer of the liver called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The emerging advancements in transplant oncology paved the way for customized treatment by transplant surgeons

Dr.Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Director and Dr. Karthik Mathivanan, Associate Director of the MGM Institute of Liver Disease and Transplant.

A 31-year-old pediatrician from Poland, diagnosed with advanced-stage bile duct cancer, faced significant challenges for treatment all over the world. In July 2023, CT and MRI revealed a large lesion of 8 x 7 cm in the right lobe of her liver and three small lesions of 3 x 2 cm each in the left lobe.

A multidisciplinary team of experts, comprising liver surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and transplant specialists, collaborated closely to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to the patient’s unique treatment needs for rare bile duct cancer of the liver using the advancements in transplant oncology. The team leveraged cutting-edge techniques and technologies, including precision medicine, advanced imaging modalities, and immunotherapy, along with transarterial radioembolization (TARE) therapy and chemotherapy, to successfully down-stage locally advanced bile duct cancer in a 6-month period, making transplantation a feasible option for the patient.

Dr. Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Director of the MGM Institute of Liver Disease and Transplant, elaborated that, “the tumour was not amenable for conventional surgical removal, which would have rendered the remaining liver non-viable. Hence, transplant was the only option that would remove the tumour in toto with the bile duct encompassing the liver”. He further added, “liver cancer ranks as the tenth most prevalent cancer in India, presenting significant complexities in its treatment and management, especially intrahepatic bile duct cancer, due to its aggressive nature, needs to be brought within transplant criteria with multimodal therapy, and then liver transplant is successful with reduced recurrence in the post-transplant period.”

Dr. Karthik Mathivanan Associate, Director of the MGM Institute of Liver Disease and Transplant, expressed optimism about the impact of this achievement: “The ability to down-stage and transplant locally advanced bile duct cancer represents a significant advancement in the field of oncology. We continue to explore new frontiers in transplant oncology to find a cure for cancer and beyond. This treatment success offers renewed hope to patients who may have previously been deemed ineligible for transplantation due to the extent of their disease.”

Dr. Thiagarajan Srinivasan, further added, “The patient successfully underwent living donor liver transplant probably the first of such procedure in the country and this was enabled by her husband who donated right lobe of his liver. Post-surgery, patients’ recovery was swift, with no evidence of cancer recurrence, marking a historic milestone in liver cancer treatment.”

Dr. Karthik Mathivanan added, “This treatment modality has the potential to extend the lives of patients previously considered ineligible for liver transplantation. This well-tolerated approach offers newfound hope to liver cancer patients worldwide, promising improved outcomes and a better quality of life.” He also presented a research paper on this case at the ILTS Consensus Conference for Hepatocellular Cancer and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma in Valencia, Spain, in 2024. Research team anticipates that this pioneering treatment approach will catalyze further advancements in liver cancer therapy, fostering collaboration, innovation, and ultimately benefiting more patients globally.

The surgery was performed by Dr. Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Director, MGM Institute of Liver Disease and Transplant; Dr. Karthik Mathivanan, Associate Director, MGM Institute of Liver Disease and Transplant; Dr. Srikanth Thummalla, Consultant; Dr. Soundara Rajan L, Consultant; Dr. Dinesh Babu, Anaesthesists; and Dr. Nivash Chandrasekar, Anaesthesists.