It was a chance investigation of a patient suffering from cancer in the large intestine that resulted in detection of a rare genetic disorder in the family.
It was a chance investigation of a patient suffering from cancer in the large intestine that resulted in detection of a rare genetic disorder in the family. The detection saved a 19-year-old girl from
undergoing the trauma of cancer in future.
Shriya Shah (name changed), 19, from Mulund, was operated in Fortis Hospital recently.
“Her mother had come to us with severe weakness and anaemia. She was diagnosed with cancer in the large intestine. During the check-up, we found that her mother was suffering from familial adenosis polypi (FAP) disorder. We had to perform an open surgery on her. The entire intestine was studded with polyps. It is a very rare disorder and the family having it should keep a check on its members,” said Dr Anil Heroor, senior oncologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund. Shriya’s mother was operated on last year.
Soon after her surgery, the doctors did endoscopy on her four children, a son and three daughters. “We had asked the family to check on the children if they too had the disorder. That’s when we found out that the 19-year-old had it. They are from a conservative family and were worried if they should go ahead with the operation as she is a girl. We suggested them laproscopic surgery as an option. They waited for a year before they agreed to go ahead with the surgery,” said Heroor.
She was finally operated on and is back in college leading a normal life. “Her colon was heavily studded with polyps. They were not cancerous but it was necessary that she got them removed. We have asked her and the family to ensure they get the future generations examined after the age of 18,” added Heroor. The reported incidence of FAP is one in 22,000 individuals.
According to city oncologists, laproscopy is increasingly becoming popular in treating cancer patients. Heroor said, “There is no significant difference between an open surgery and laproscopic surgery. In fact, in the latter, the patient undergoes less pain, has to take less number of painkillers, and recovers fast as the incision is half compared to open surgery.” Doctors, however, claim that only 40% of cancer patients are suitable for laproscopic surgery.
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