United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, 20 November, 2016: Adrenal tumor is one of the most dangerous (lethal) forms of endocrine cancer seen today. Factors are linked to genetic disorders, radiation exposure and obesity among others. Despite the serious implications of the condition (mainly hormone activities causing Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Hirsutism, or Virilism), awareness, timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help patients fight the disease successfully.
These factors played an important role in the treatment of a 24-year-old Emirati patient suffering from a huge adrenal tumor. Burjeel Hospital recently performed a life-saving surgery on the female patient, who had a big hormone-active adrenal tumor called a Pheochromocytoma. The tumor, which arises in the adrenal gland, overproduces adrenaline and can cause severe elevations in blood pressure and can be very dangerous and life threatening.
The Emirati lady, who consulted doctors in the US and Abu Dhabi, was told that the best option to treat the cancer is to do an open surgical procedure through the chest and abdomen with the removal of the left kidney, spleen, and pancreatic tail.
She was then referred to Prof. Dr. Iyad Hassan, the Director of Endocrine, Cancer and General Surgery at Burjeel Hospital. Dr. Hassan is a Consultant in endocrine surgery, surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery with more than 7,000 surgeries, including 2,000 endocrine and cancer resections and more than 1,000 advanced laparoscopic operations to his credit. He consulted with his team and Dr. Omran Bedir Gatee, Consultant – Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, Burjeel Hospital, to seek the best way forward on the case.
“We conducted tests to analyze the hormone activity of the tumor. Based on the findings and in line with international standards, the results showed that the patient was a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. The tests also helped us have the right pre-operative preparation with anti-hypertensive medication to keep her blood pressure under control and. This will avoid the risk of an intra or post-operative stroke,” said Dr. Gatee.
“We discussed the findings and treatment plan with the patient. She was very relieved to know that she need not undergo the open surgery procedure nor have her kidney, spleen and pancreatic tail removed, contrary to the suggestions of the earlier doctors,” said Prof. Dr. Hassan.
During the procedure, Dr. Mohammad Ibrahim, Consultant – Anesthesiologist, managed the blood pressure changes using advanced regional anesthesia. This ensured that the patient was pain-free and stable during the entire surgery. Prof. Dr. Hassan removed the tumor successfully and the patient responded very well to the laparoscopic procedure. ..
The prognosis has been good and the wounds have healed completely with minimal scarring. Dr. Iyad and his team managed to be extremely precise as the post-operative results have shown zero injuries to the adjoining areas around the tumor.
“The patient is young and is recovering well after the procedure. We are very pleased that we helped her contain the cancer without removing any of her organs. This procedure could benefit others suffering from the same condition and we are proud that we can offer this at Burjeel Hospital,” said Prof. Dr. Hassan.
The Emirati lady expressed her gratitude to Burjeel’s Hospital’s oncology team, saying that their timely intervention had saved her life. “I chose to get my medical surgery done at Burjeel Hospital since all the other specialists I had consulted had advised full-fledged open surgery to remove the tumor. When Prof. Dr. Hassan suggested laparoscopic surgery without the removal of any of my organs, I was deeply relieved. The dedicated care I received from the medical and the paramedical staff are excellent. This medical attention and concern for patients is what makes Burjeel Hospital the best choice especially when dealing with a condition as life-threatening as cancer.”
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