An Iraqi man, 47, has successfully overcome stage 4 rectal cancer after undergoing a complex surgery in India. The patient, who was initially misdiagnosed with piles in his home country, underwent multiple chemotherapy and radiation sessions before being referred to Manipal Hospital in Dwarka, India.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Consultant – Surgical Oncology at Manipal Hospital, explained that the patient’s case was challenging due to the initial misdiagnosis and his weight of 122 kg, which added complexity to the treatment. Upon evaluation, doctors also discovered peritoneal disease in addition to rectal cancer, which is typically an incurable stage IV cancer. However, the peritoneal disease can be treated.

Given the complexity of the case, the medical team at Manipal Hospital decided to perform CRS (Cytoreductive Surgery) and HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Surgery), both highly complex and challenging procedures. These procedures were combined with the surgical removal of the cancerous tumor and the administration of heated chemotherapy to the abdomen to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.

Despite an initially unfavorable prognosis, the patient was successfully treated and returned home with a better quality of life. Dr. Sanjeev emphasized the importance of advanced medical solutions in treating complex problems like cancer.

This success story serves as a testament to the effectiveness of advanced medical interventions in tackling challenging cases of cancer.