Hello, my name is Sabina Rana. I am 28 years old from Una (Himachal Pardesh) and presently studying at Solan. In August 2016, I was diagnosed with Giant Cell Tumor(GCT) of Pelvis bone.
I would like to share all the problems/symptoms which I over looked related to this disease and its treatment.
It all started in 2016 when, I had pain in my lower back while sitting and working which I ignored for 3-4 months.Once I tried to run and fell down getting worst pain in my leg for 5-10 min and went to Doctor at Solan. He took my X-Ray and told me that it may be a serious problem as the pelvic bone was seen ruptured in the X-ray.He suggested me to have CT Scan and/or MRI. I went to IGMC, Shimla for the same. The doctor at IGMC, while analysing my X-ray suggested my to use a walker for walking and avoid climbing stairs. I was shocked and broken inside to hear such kind of words from them. I never thought that it would be such a big problem for me to overlook the symptoms.
Confused and worried, I took another opinion at Pathankot where again possibility of bone tumour was raised. Finally, I came to chandigarh tricity where the diagnosis of Giant Cell tumour of the pelvic bone was made after biopsy. I underwent surgery in the form of curettage and bone grafting at local hospital in Chandigarh but I didn’t have any pain relief post surgery. The doctor who operated me ignored my symptoms and finally I came to know about Dr Rajat Gupta from our family doctor that he’s the doctor who is specialised to treat these kind of bone tumours.
I met Dr Rajat Gupta, who analysed all my reports and confirmed that the bone tumour has recurred but it can be cured. He chalked out the complete treatment plan for me and explained in detail about it. After a battery of tests, I was put on Denosumab (kind of drug for Giant cell tumour) for 2 doses. After the medical therapy, prior to surgery, I underwent embolisation ( a procedure to block the blood vessels supplying the tumour) so as to minimise blood loss during surgery. I had already undergone surgery for this earlier but this time the approach was totally different and probably that’s where lies the difference between a super-specialist and regular doctor. After embolisation, Dr Rajat operated me the next day. The surgery supposedly lasted 7-8 hours.
To my surprise, I was made to sit the very next day and I was walking with walker within next 3 days and was discahrged after about 10-12 days. Dr Rajat personally took care of my physiotherapy regime which helped me recver faster.
Now, I am back to my college, walking without any help and doing all my routine activities and it has happened only because of Dr Rajat. After consulting with him I felt calm and confident that all would be okay. His willingness to discuss/explain everything gave me a sense of peace and enabled me to continue to be strong.
His skill, knowledge and positive outlook played a major role in my recovering so well and so quickly. I truly feel that I was blessed to find myself placed in his more than capable hands. I am sure I will be fine and running soon once the doctor allows for the same.
Doctor Remarks:
This patient had recurrent Giant cell tumour of the pelvic bone. After 2 doses of Inj Denosumab (monoclonal Antibody for Giant cell tumour), and pre-operative embolisation (to block the tumour blood vessels so as to minimise blood loss during surgery) she underwent surgery in the form of Type 3 internal hemipevectomy in which the diseased inferior pubic ramus was removed alongwith curettage of supraacetabular region and cementing. She stood the procedure well and was not allowed to put weight on the operated side for 3 months. She is curently disease free now on regular follow up.