Zulekha Hospital Sharjah successfully treated 48 year old Minino Dsouza who was on the point of losing his complete left lung due to a rare lung tumor called Carcinoid.
After experiencing cough & shortness of breath, Minino visited a different facility where his CT scan revealed a 10 cm tumor on his left lung occupying the upper lobe and invading the left main bronchus(air passage of the lungs which diverge from the windpipe) causing complete functional loss of the left lung.
He was then referred to Zulekha Hospital where further diagnosis through Bronchoscopy confirmed a rare lung tumor with reduced response to chemo-radiation treatment, and surgery being the only rescue therapy.
Dr. Khaldoon Abo Dakka- Specialist Thoracic Surgeon assisted by Dr.Hasan Al Shaiah – Specialist Cardiothorasic Surgeon and Dr. Preeti Patil – Specialist Anaesthetist performed a nine hour surgery known as Left Thoracotomy to open the chest along with excising the upper lobe of the left lung including the tumor with circumferential cutting of the involved segment of the left main bronchus. Lastly, a cross-connection of the left lower lobe bronchus to the left main bronchus was made after confirming the margins are free of tumor.
“Before visiting us, the patient sought a few second opinions from other facilities where he was informed that his lower lobe of the left lung couldn’t be saved, and the entire left lung needs to be forfeited especially because the tumor was surrounding the left pulmonary artery and its descending branches as well as the main airway of the left lung. We faced several challenges during the surgery as we had to maintain patient’s ventilation while airways were opened until rejoining them again.” commented Dr. Abo Dakka.
“With such complicated cases it’s important to collectively work as a team to achieve the best result.” stated Dr.Hasan Al Shaiah
“I want to thank Dr. Khaldoon, Dr. Hassan, Dr. Preeti, the doctors resident here at Zulekha, the nurses and all those involved. They took good care of me and I feel much better after the surgery, much lighter and much more free to breathe,” added Minino.
The patient is in recovery period with no complaints and was able to resume his normal life. As tumor was completely excised and there was no detectable spreading to the adjacent dissected lymph nodes, no further therapies are needed. As lung tumors have a tendency to recur, Minino has been advised regular follow ups for years to come.
