Rare Tumour Discovered Between Heart and Lungs in Tribal Girl Treated at KIMS Hospital

Hyderabad: A 15-year-old tribal girl from Khammam district, battling a rare tumour located between her heart and lungs, has been successfully treated at Kondapur KIMS Hospital. The girl was also found to have a large Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a congenital heart condition that had gone unnoticed due to limited awareness in her family.

The rare tumour, identified as a mediastinal teratoma, is a type of germ cell tumour that typically forms in the chest cavity. These tumours are often congenital and can contain a mix of tissues such as hair and cartilage, encased in a thick membrane.

While generally localized, some teratomas can invade nearby organs like the lungs or heart, causing significant complications. In this case, the tumour had spread to the chest cavity, pressing on critical blood vessels and nerves, making its removal a challenging task.

The complex surgery was led by Dr Nisarga, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon, and Dr. C. Rohan Reddy, Consultant Minimal Invasive Onco-Thoracic Surgeon. The medical team performed two critical procedures—removal of the rare mediastinal teratoma and closure of the heart defect, saving the girl’s life.

Dr Reddy explained, “The tumour was in a challenging location, pressing against vital organs and nerves. It had invaded the heart's outer layer and adhered to the lungs, requiring careful excision. Fortunately, the portion of the lung removed did not impact its overall function.”

Dr Nisarga detailed the cardiac procedure, saying, “The ASD caused mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood, leading to circulation issues. We repaired the defect using a part of the heart’s outer layer after temporarily stopping the heart and using a cardiopulmonary bypass machine.”

The surgery was made more complex by the tumour’s granular composition, which included hair and cartilage, surrounded by a thick shell-like membrane. Such teratomas, although usually localized, can spread aggressively, requiring advanced surgical expertise.

Thanks to the efforts of the paediatric critical care team and physiotherapists, the girl recovered swiftly and was discharged just five days post-surgery. “This case highlights the importance of early detection and advanced care in managing rare and life-threatening conditions,” added Dr Nisarga.