Fortis Escorts Hospital Jaipur Successfully Treats ‘Rare, Fist-sized Chest Tumour’ in 76-Year-Old Man Without Open Surgery

Doctors at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, have successfully treated a 76-year-old man with a rare, 7 × 9 cms chest tumour that was critically obstructing his airway, using a specialized scope-based procedure and avoiding open surgery. The complex case was managed by a multi-disciplinary team led by Dr Vinod Kumar Sharma, Consultant – Pulmonology and Critical Care, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur.

The patient, who had been experiencing respiratory difficulties for six months, was rushed to the hospital’s emergency department with acute respiratory distress, persistent coughing and severe wheezing. His condition had deteriorated to the point where he could not lie flat and was experiencing noisy, laboured breathing. A chest scan revealed a large tumour significantly obstructing his airway, posing a serious threat to his breathing. Subsequent diagnostic investigations identified the tumour as Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (LCNEC), a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer that accounts for less than 3% of malignant lung tumors worldwide.

Doctors described the case as high-risk. Removing a tumour of this magnitude from the main breathing tube carries the danger of heavy bleeding and sudden complications. Furthermore, the patient’s advanced age and pre-existing heart irregularities significantly heightened the procedural and anaesthesia risks. The patient underwent a two-hour procedure involving rigid bronchoscopy – a specialized technique that uses a rigid metal tube to access the airway, under general anesthesia. The multidisciplinary team successfully removed the tumour, relieving the airway obstruction without the need for open surgery. The patient recovered well following the procedure, with complete resolution of his breathing difficulties, and was discharged the very next day.

Giving details of the case, Dr Vinod Kumar Sharma, Consultant – Pulmonology and Critical Care, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur said, “This was an exceptionally challenging, high-risk case, given the extensive obstruction of the central airway, the patient’s advanced age and his underlying cardiac conditions. The situation demanded swift clinical decision-making and precise intervention to restore his breathing while minimizing procedural risks. Using specialized techniques, our team successfully removed the entire tumour under general anesthesia, without major complications and without the need for open surgery. His remarkable recovery and discharge the very next day are a testament to the team’s expertise, coordinated approach and commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

Dr Manish Agarwal, Facility Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, said “Handling a complex, high-stakes emergency like this requires extraordinary coordination and expertise. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation and delivering the best possible results for our patients. This success is a testament to the caliber of our doctors and advanced infrastructure at Fortis Escorts Jaipur.”