New Delhi: A 17-year-old girl battling a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer has made a recovery after spending nearly 10 days on ventilator support.The teen was diagnosed with stage 3 Ewing’s sarcoma — an uncommon cancer that affects bones or the soft tissue around them and is estimated to occur in nearly one in a million people globally each year.The teenager was reportedly suffering from breathlessness and swelling in her upper back for over a year. During this period, she underwent alternative therapies elsewhere, but her condition continued to deteriorate. By the time she reached the hospital, she was critically ill and had to be rushed to the ICU.Doctors found that a massive tumour originating from her ribs had occupied her right lung and her pushed vital organs in the chest towards the opposite side, leaving her dependent on just one functioning lung. She was also suffering from septic shock — a life-threatening condition caused by severe infection — along with hypoxia, or dangerously low oxygen levels in blood, and hypotension, a sharp drop in blood pressure.Her condition required ventilator support to help her breathe and inotropic medication to maintain blood circulation.Since chemotherapy can weaken immunity further, doctors initially considered her too unstable for cancer treatment. However, after intensive critical care, IV antibiotics and continuous ventilatory support for over a week, the oncology and critical care teams decided to begin chemotherapy while she was still on the ventilator.Over the next two weeks, her condition steadily improved and doctors were able to remove respiratory support. A PET scan later showed that the cancer had remained confined to the chest, significantly improving her chances of recovery.Dr Suhail Qureshi, additional director and unit head, medical oncology, Fortis Hospitals, Shalimar Bagh, said the case was particularly challenging because prolonged ICU stay and ventilator dependence increase the risk of complications such as infections and organ dysfunction.“Ewing’s sarcoma, though rare, is an aggressive but potentially curable cancer when diagnosed and treated in time. Initiating chemotherapy in such an unstable patient is always high-risk, but with meticulous ICU management, infection control and continuous monitoring, we were able to stabilise her and safely begin treatment,” he said.Hospital officials said the case highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and coordinated multidisciplinary care in handling rare cancers.“This case underscores our commitment to advanced oncology and critical care through a collaborative medical approach,” said Naveen Sharma, facility director, Fortis.The patient’s father noted that immediate medical attention can make a difference.“One mistake I made was waiting too long before starting treatment, and I urge others not to repeat that. If you notice any symptoms or concerns, especially related to cancer, consult a doctor at the earliest, which leads to much better outcomes,” he said.
