Case 4

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 93-year-old lady diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer locally advanced presented to us with decreased appetite and failure to thrive. Given her elderly age, her relatives were apprehensive about whether we should opt for surgery or let her live with cancer without giving surgical trouble. They had taken multiple opinions and were given mixed responses due to her age factor and limited mobility. Also, the patient was counselled for a diversion stoma for which she was not ready.

Consultation and diagnosis

Prompt and accurate diagnosis made in-house

Tumour board

A multi-disciplinary team deliberated on action

Individualized care

Patient’s mental makeup taken into consideration

Modular care

A suite of therapies that contribute to holistic healing

WHAT WE DID

When the case was referred to us for opinion, we planned a laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy as for her age she was fit and motivated. Age is just a number; our motto is optimising mental fitness first. Most important is to think in a retrospective manner, if you don’t opt for treatment what will happen. In her case, if she does not opt for surgery, she would have landed in emergency intestinal obstruction with high risk of mortality. So our decision was simple: to go ahead with surgery. As planned, we could successfully complete the entire surgery laparoscopically with no diversion stoma. She recovered well and was discharged on day 5 in a condition she was in before. Her diet included the consumption of 3 glasses of milk every day for the last 30 years and we continued the same postoperatively.

• Tumour board involved
• Laparoscopic surgery ( Minimal Invasive Surgery
• Personalised care
• NO Diversion stoma
• Managed age and mobility by personalised Rehabilitation team

FINAL RESULTS

Now, it has been more than 2 years and  she is doing well in her nineties with a good quality of life. Patient motivation is a key factor, which we took into consideration.

Important information: For the geriatric age group, just correct the problem and let them lead the life they are used to because that helps them to recover fast (the moment we stopped protein powder and started 3 glasses of milk she was walking with confidence because that is her staple diet)