77-Year-Old Patient Recovers from Chest Wall Cancer at Wockhardt Hospitals

Mumbai: At 77, when most people worry about slowing down, one gentleman was faced with a far more serious challenge  a rapidly growing tumor on his left chest.

What started as a small, painless swelling soon grew to the size of a lemon within just two months. There had been no accident, no injury, no warning signs only the silent advance of an aggressive cancer.

A biopsy revealed the truth: high-grade sarcoma, a rare and fast-spreading cancer. But there was one positive sign advanced scans showed the disease was still localized. This gave doctors a chance to attempt curative surgery.

Despite his age and health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and a history of heart stenting, his heart and lung tests were encouraging. He was considered strong enough to undergo a major operation.

The challenge was daunting. The tumour had spread to three ribs, requiring a wide excision of the affected chest wall. The surgery demanded not just removal of the cancer but also careful reconstruction to restore stability and function.

At Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, a multidisciplinary team rose to the occasion. Dr. Tanveer Majeed, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, led the complex surgery, supported by Dr. Akshay Deshpande, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, and Dr. Shilpa Deshmukh, Onco Anaesthesiologist. Together, they removed the diseased portion of the chest wall and reconstructed it using proline mesh and a muscle flap taken from the patient’s back.

After surgery, the gentleman was placed on a ventilator for two days as a precaution. To everyone’s relief, his recovery was faster than expected. By the ninth day, he was walking out of the hospital, smiling, stable, and cancer-free.

“This wasn’t just about removing a tumour. It was about restoring strength, dignity, and quality of life,” said Dr. Majeed.

The case highlights how advanced surgical expertise and compassionate care can overcome even the toughest medical challenges. At Wockhardt Hospitals, stories like this prove that age is never a barrier to hope, healing, and the chance to live life fully again.