Kenya boy undergoes rare treatment at KIMS hospital

• Cancer in the bone, a situation where the leg has to be amputated
• Use of artificial Joint that grows as per the age
• Boy has fully recovered and is walking on his own
• A rare feat of doctors at KIMS Hospitals, Kondapur

Hyderabad, June 9, 2022: A 10-year-old Kenyan boy named Favor Elisha developed a minor swelling in his right thigh four months ago. It was gradually growing, and he reached a point where he could not stretch his knees completely to even walk.

When they showed him to the doctors in their country, an X-ray was done and it was found that there was a tumour in the right thigh bone. Elisha is the only child in their family. But his father was very poor. No matter how many hospitals were turned around, there was no result. Due to the lack of treatment in his own country, they have consulted some doctors in countries like France and Germany. The treatment will cost around Rs 10-25 lakh, they said. As they couldn't bear that much amount, he decided to make an effort in India as a last resort and approached the KIMS hospital authorities. When they got the assurance, they immediately flew to India and came to KIMS Hospital in Kondapur.

Elisha underwent a medical check-up here and found that he had a cancer tumour in his right thigh bone. If such tumours come at an older age, the leg has to be amputated. But in the present case, the child is too young, and the leg can't be amputated. So, a different treatment needs to be provided. If the leg is amputated at a young age, physical disability will continue all through his life. Psychologically too, there are many problems. But due to the recent advanced methods of cancer treatment, Elisha has been able to get a different treatment without having to have his leg amputated.

Elisha was first given chemotherapy and radiation to reduce the tumour to some extent. As it melted somewhat, with the help of CT scans, measurements were taken of the size of his thigh bones. After the completion of radiation and chemotherapy, the actual surgery started. This is called Limb Salvage Surgery. In this, a part of the healthy bone is also removed along with the tumour. An artificial Joint is placed there. Since Elisha is only 10 years old, and he is growing up, the artificial bones being placed also should grow in the future. Such an artificial Joint, which was made entirely in India, was successfully placed in Elisha's thigh. Two weeks after the surgery, Elisha is now happily able to stand and walk on his own feet. Doctors at KIMS Hospital in Kondapur said he would be discharged after a few more tests and physiotherapy. 

His artificial bone cost around Rs 1.10 lakh, while the total cost of treatment including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery is only Rs 3 lakh. Wherever they went to another country, it would have cost them at least 10-25 lakhs. Elisha's father was in tears after watching his completely recovered son. He said that he had raised some funds from his home country and arranged for to and fro charges, and the cost of treatment. Dr Sailakshman Anne, Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons Dr Suresh Babu and Medical Oncologist Dr Narendar Kumar Thota, and supporting medical staff participated in the treatment.