Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital Successfully Treats Rare Aggressive Cancer in 4-year-old Child
Mumbai: Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai, has successfully treated a rare and highly aggressive form of childhood cancer — Burkitt lymphoma — in a four-year-old patient, showcasing the hospital’s advanced paediatric oncology expertise and multidisciplinary care.
The child, was brought to the hospital after his parents noticed a rapidly enlarging abdominal lump in the right lower abdomen. Within just a week, the mass had grown significantly, prompting urgent medical evaluation. The child underwent a USG-guided biopsy and a series of baseline investigations including CBC, LDH, and a PET-CT scan to determine the stage of the tumour. The diagnosis confirmed sporadic Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and fast-growing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma affecting B-cells.
Given the advanced stage of the disease, the child received intensive, multimodal treatment, which was a combination of aggressive chemotherapy, immunotherapy with Rituximab, intrathecal chemotherapy, and surgery. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, plays a critical role in targeting cancerous B-cells but can increase susceptibility to infections, necessitating close monitoring and strong supportive care.
Throughout the course of treatment, which lasted around eight months, the child experienced several febrile neutropenia episodes, which is a common but potentially life-threatening side effect of chemotherapy. However, thanks to the hospital’s robust supportive care infrastructure, these complications were successfully managed, allowing the patient to continue and complete therapy.
Following surgery, which achieved gross total resection of the tumour, the patient completed consolidation chemotherapy and is now disease-free. He remains under regular follow-up with monthly blood tests and imaging every three months to ensure continued remission.
“Burkitt lymphoma is a rapidly progressing cancer, but with timely diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and comprehensive supportive care, we can achieve cure rates of over 90 per cent,” said Dr. Priti Mehta, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Oncology, Haemato-Oncology & BMT, SRCC Children’s Hospital. “This case highlights the importance of a coordinated approach involving paediatric oncologists, oncosurgeons, and critical care teams to manage complex cases like these,” she added.
“Our mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of the complexity of their condition, receives world-class evidence-based care,” said Dr. Zubin Pereira, Facility Director, Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital. “This successful outcome demonstrates our team’s expertise and commitment to delivering hope and healing to families facing some of the most challenging medical journeys,” he added.
Today, the boy is healthy, active, and attending regular follow-ups, a testament to the power of early intervention, advanced treatment protocols, and compassionate multidisciplinary care.
