India's First Bilateral Wilms Tumour Surgery Performed on Young Uzbek Boy at Fortis Hospital, Okhla

New Delhi: Doctors at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, have successfully treated a 6-year-old boy from Uzbekistan, diagnosed with Bilateral Wilms Tumour (nephroblastoma), a rare and complex paediatric kidney cancer.

The boy’s condition was critical, with tumours affecting both kidneys, despite undergoing chemotherapy in Uzbekistan, which failed to improve his survival chances.

His parents sought advanced treatment options in India, bringing him to Fortis Escorts, Okhla, where a skilled team of doctors, led by Dr. Paresh Jain, Director of Urology & Kidney Transplant, performed a highly intricate kidney auto-transplant procedure.

The surgery, which lasted eight hours, was successful, and the boy recovered swiftly without complications.

Dr. Paresh Jain said, "This medical achievement is especially noteworthy, as only 16 similar cases have been documented globally, with none reported previously in India. Wilms tumour, usually diagnosed in children aged 3-4 years, presents significant challenges due to its rarity and complexity. Its advanced stage poses a unique challenge because it can be bilateral, affecting both kidneys, and if not treated promptly, it can become life-threatening."

The boy had received chemotherapy in Uzbekistan but continued to face uncertain survival chances. After arriving at Fortis Escorts, Okhla, the team performed a successful eight-hour surgery, where the right kidney was partially removed and a biopsy of the left kidney was conducted.

The second stage involved a kidney auto-transplant to safely remove the tumour while preserving the organ's function.

Dr. Jain further added, "Globally, most similar procedures are not performed laparoscopically and typically involve two separate surgical teams—one for paediatric oncosurgery and another for kidney transplantation. However, in this case, both complex procedures were successfully carried out by a single specialized team, highlighting the team's exceptional surgical expertise and coordination. The significance of this particular surgery was to avoid maternal kidney donation, preserving the mother's health and kidney function. It also eliminated the need for lifelong immunosuppressive medications, reducing the financial burden and associated risks."

The patient's mother expressed deep gratitude: "We came to India with a hope after our son’s condition did not improve in Uzbekistan. The doctors at Fortis gave us the confidence that our son would recover. We are extremely thankful to Dr. Paresh Jain and the entire team of doctors for their hard work and for saving our son’s life. He is now back to playing and smiling, and we are beyond grateful for this second chance at life."

Dr. Vikram Aggarwal, Facility Director of Fortis Escorts, Okhla, said, "This rare case marks India’s first reported successful surgical intervention, underscoring the hospital's leadership in multidisciplinary care. Our dedicated team, led by Dr. Paresh Jain, assessed all parameters and conducted the procedure with exceptional precision. This case was uniquely challenging, and our success is a testament to the dedication, skill, and collaboration of our team."