In a groundbreaking medical achievement, doctors at AIIMS-Rishikesh successfully removed a 35kg bone tumour from the leg of Mohd Salman, a 27-year-old daily wage worker from Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh. Salman had been battling chondrosarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that originates in cartilage, for over six years.
A Swelling That Turned Life-Threatening
What began as a minor swelling near Salman’s thigh gradually progressed into a massive, life-threatening tumour over the past six months. The tumour had rendered him bedridden and completely immobile, significantly affecting his quality of life. After multiple unsuccessful treatments across hospitals in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, Salman finally reached AIIMS-Rishikesh as a last hope.
High-Risk Surgery Performed by Multidisciplinary Team
Dr Mohit Dhingra, orthopaedic surgeon at AIIMS-Rishikesh, led the surgical team.
“We performed the high-risk, six-hour-long surgery on June 9. Given the tumour’s enormous size and complex vascular structure, the operation required careful preoperative planning and close collaboration between orthopaedics, cardiovascular surgery, and plastic surgery departments,” said Dr Dhingra.
Tumour Dimensions Posed Unique Challenges
As reported by TOI, the tumour, weighing 34.7kg and measuring 53×24×19 inches, presented several challenges.
“Its massive size made standard MRI imaging difficult,” explained Dr Dhingra. “We had to perform an angiography in advance to map out the abnormal blood supply and vascular connections before proceeding with surgery.”
Setting a New Standard in Complex Surgeries
Professor Meenu Singh, Executive Director of AIIMS-Rishikesh, hailed the surgery as a milestone:
“This landmark procedure not only raises the bar for complex surgeries at our institute but also brings new hope to patients suffering from rare and complicated cancers.”
Patient on Path to Recovery
Salman is now recovering well and is expected to be discharged soon.
“I’m thankful to the doctors for giving me a second chance at life. The pain was unbearable, and they’ve freed me from it,” he said with gratitude.
This extraordinary case demonstrates the growing capability of Indian medical institutions to tackle rare, high-risk conditions with precision, innovation, and compassion.