Gnanamba came to me with a slow-growing mass on the back of her head. Initially, she hadn’t been too concerned, as it was painless and left untreated even as it grew larger.

One day, she noticed a small drop of fluid oozing from the swelling, which prompted her to seek medical advice. Local doctors prescribed medications at first, but they didn’t alleviate her condition. One doctor suggested it was a lipoma and recommended consulting a plastic surgeon, as the size of the mass made it unsuitable for primary closure—something beyond the scope of a general surgeon. Another doctor suspected it might be an abscess requiring drainage.

When Gnanamba came to me, I considered the possibility that the benign swelling might have become malignant, possibly due to repeated trauma from daily combing. To investigate further, I performed a biopsy. Unfortunately, the results confirmed that the swelling had indeed turned cancerous.

The diagnosis of cancer added complexity to the situation. In such cases, it is critical to remove not only the tumor but also a margin of the surrounding healthy tissue and skin to ensure the malignancy is fully excised. This required meticulous planning.

We conducted a comprehensive evaluation, including a PET scan and other diagnostic tests, to confirm there was no metastasis. Once it was established that the cancer had not spread, we developed a treatment plan. This involved surgical excision of the tumor followed by reconstructive surgery using a tissue flap to restore the affected area.

Planning on a paper

The removed specimen was carefully tagged with side orientation, aiding the pathologist in providing an accurate report.

The histopathology report confirmed that the tumor was completely removed, with all margins clear of any cancerous extensions.

The procedure delivered excellent results, and once the hair regrew, the area became completely unnoticeable to others.

The post From Innocent Lump to Cancer! appeared first on Dr. Satish Kumar.

Smt. Surya Kumari, aged about 60 years, sustained an injury to the front part of her ankle while handling a cupboard. The cupboard accidentally fell on her ankle, resulting in a small laceration

The patient, who is diabetic, experienced worsening of the wound, which began to increase in size. As the skin started to necrotize, the doctors had to remove the dead tissue in stages during each hospital visit.

After multiple dressings, repeated removal of dead skin and tissues, and the application of powdered medications, this was the wound’s appearance when she first consulted me.

She consulted me on December 26, 2024. The wound was thoroughly cleansed, and a negative pressure wound therapy (Vacuum-Assisted Closure) was planned for her treatment.

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), also known as Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC), is an advanced wound treatment method that utilizes controlled vacuum pressure to promote faster and more effective healing. During this period, the patient maintained limited mobility as advised. She could independently use the restroom, sit to watch TV, or read a newspaper, but was instructed to avoid walking beyond basic needs. She adhered to these guidelines diligently. Minimal medication was used during this period. Gradually, there was a noticeable reduction in the swelling of the lower leg and foot. She was advised to regulary update pictures and give updates on hospital whatsapp number 9394100522

Within a few days, the wound showed significant improvement in color, size, and overall healing progress. I have decided to proceed with another session of vacuum-assisted therapy. If the wound remains healthy after the second session, I plan to perform skin grafting to further aid in its recovery.

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