Doctors at Max Hospital, Nagpur, Successfully Performs Rare, Complex Lung Cancer Surgery on a 46-Year-Old Woman

Nagpur: In a rare and complex surgical intervention, doctors at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Nagpur, successfully treated a 46-year-old woman diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and most aggressive form of lung cancer, through a procedure that involved the removal of the entire affected lung.

The patient presented at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Nagpur, with persistent cough, breathlessness, and episodes of coughing up blood for the past three months. Detailed evaluation revealed mesothelioma affecting the right lung, a rare cancer that develops in the thin lining surrounding the lungs rather than the lung tissue itself. Unlike most lung cancers, where only a portion of the lung is removed, mesothelioma spreads along the lining of the lung, making simple removal difficult and often requiring more extensive surgery. 

The oncology team, led by Dr Abhinav Deshpande, Director, Surgical Oncology and Robotic Onco-surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Nagpur, decided to perform a complex surgery involving the removal of the affected lung along with surrounding tissues and nearby lymph nodes. As one of the most extensive procedures in chest cancer treatment, it requires careful planning and close coordination among multiple specialists.

Speaking about the case, Dr Abhinav Deshpande, said, “This was a highly complex procedure that involved removing the entire affected lung along with surrounding tissues. Such surgeries carry significant risk and require meticulous planning as well as coordination between surgical, critical care, and respiratory teams. The first few weeks after surgery are particularly critical, as the body must adjust to functioning with a single lung. Through intensive monitoring, early mobilisation, and respiratory physiotherapy, the patient’s remaining lung gradually adapted, allowing her to regain strength and return to daily activities.”

The surgery was successfully completed with complete removal of the tumour. The patient is recovering well and is undergoing chemotherapy as part of her ongoing cancer treatment. 

The successful procedure highlights the growing availability of advanced oncological and thoracic surgical care at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Nagpur, enabling patients with complex and rare cancers to access highly specialised and advanced surgical treatment closer to home.