Against All Odds: 8-year-old’s aggressive bone cancer successfully treated at Delhi's Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital
New Delhi: Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, New Delhi, has successfully treated an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with relapsed Ewing’s Sarcoma — a rare and aggressive childhood cancer that affects bones and soft tissues.
The tumor had spread to the chest wall and mediastinum, the central part of the chest that houses the heart and major blood vessels, making the case especially challenging due to its location.
The child was initially diagnosed with a chest wall tumor and had received chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy at another hospital. However, the cancer relapsed a year later, indicating a difficult prognosis.
Three years later, he arrived at Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital with a large mediastinal mass that made surgery extremely risky.
After a detailed evaluation, the medical team developed a treatment plan involving salvage chemotherapy, followed by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and targeted radiation therapy.
Even though some tumor remained before the transplant, the team decided to proceed with HSCT when the boy was 10 years old. The treatment led to significant tumor shrinkage and, ultimately, full recovery.
Following the transplant, radiation, and oral maintenance therapy, the child’s tumor completely disappeared. He is now healthy and free of disease — a strong example of coordinated care and advanced pediatric oncology treatment.
Dr. Nandini Choudhury Hazarika, Consultant - Medical Oncology, BMT at Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital, said, “This was one of the most complex and high-risk cases we have handled. Relapsed Ewing’s Sarcoma is very difficult to manage, and the tumor’s proximity to vital organs made it even more challenging.
With careful planning, teamwork, and the family’s trust, we followed an intensive yet balanced treatment approach. The child’s strength and recovery stand as a testament to expert medical care and collective effort.”
Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare cancer mainly seen in children and teenagers between 10 and 20 years of age, accounts for only 1–2% of all childhood cancers in India. It becomes especially hard to treat when it relapses.
This case highlights the importance of timely intervention, advanced treatment options, and a collaborative approach in pediatric oncology.
Khushi Chittoria joined Medical Dialogues in 2025 as a Media and Editorial Intern. She holds a Bachelor degree in Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from IP University and has completed certifications in content writing. She has a strong interest in anchoring, content writing, and editing. At Medical Dialogues, Khushi manages the editorial department, web stories and anchoring.