Navi Mumbai Leukemia Survivor Undergoes Major Preventive Surgery at Mahim Hospital
A 20-year-old college student from Navi Mumbai, who beat childhood leukemia a decade ago, has undergone a major preventive surgery at PD Hinduja Hospital in Mahim to remove his entire large intestine and rectum. The procedure was performed recently to address a rare genetic condition that put him at a near-100 percent lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer.
The patient, identified by the pseudonym Rohan, was diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) after recently manifesting the condition. FAP caused Rohan to develop hundreds of precancerous polyps across his colon and rectum, presenting a fresh medical crisis completely unrelated to his previous battle with leukemia.
Dr. Imran Shaikh, a consultant surgical gastro-intestinal surgeon at PD Hinduja Hospital who operated on Rohan, performed a preventive surgery known as a total proctocolectomy. During the operation, the surgical team removed Rohan's entire large intestine and rectum to eliminate the colorectal cancer risk. The surgeons then constructed a new internal stool reservoir, called a J-pouch, using Rohan's small intestine, and successfully reconnected it to his natural tract.
According to Dr. Shaikh, FAP is typically an inherited disorder passed from parent to child. However, Rohan’s case is a "de novo" or spontaneous genetic mutation, meaning he is the first person in his family to have the condition.
While the surgery successfully removed the immediate threat of colorectal cancer, Rohan still faces long-term medical challenges. Dr. Shaikh stated that Rohan remains at risk of developing at least four other types of cancers in his lifetime due to the genetic disorder.
Furthermore, because Rohan now carries this genetic mutation, he can pass the condition on to his future children. Dr. Shaikh emphasized that Rohan will need to remain under continuous medical follow-up for the rest of his life to monitor these ongoing risks.
