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In a remarkable display of medical expertise, a 74-year-old Mumbai resident has made a full recovery after undergoing a complex surgery to remove a rare, lemon-sized tumour from his heart. The patient, who was initially asymptomatic, discovered the tumour during a routine ECG, which led to further investigations at a Mumbai-based private hospital.
Doctors identified the growth as a Left Atrial Myxoma, a rare, non-cancerous tumour occupying nearly 90% of the left upper chamber of his heart. Complicating the case, the patient also had an 85–90% blockage in his right coronary artery and a long-standing history of uncontrolled diabetes, significantly increasing the risks associated with traditional open-heart surgery.
Given these challenges, the medical team, led by Dr Siddharth Sheth, Senior Cardiologist at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, opted for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS). This advanced approach avoids the need for a large 15–20 cm incision and sternotomy, reducing trauma and promoting a faster recovery.
Dr Chandrashekhar Kulkarni, Director and Head – CVTS, Heart and Lung Transplant at the hospital, noted the uniqueness of the procedure: it was among the first in Mumbai where heart tumour removal and coronary artery bypass grafting were performed simultaneously using a minimally invasive technique.
Thanks to this innovative approach, the patient was able to sit up and walk within a few days post-surgery and was discharged just six days after the operation, following a smooth recovery.
“Left atrial myxomas are rare because primary heart tumours are extremely uncommon in the general population. The heart’s muscular structure and low cell activity make it an unlikely site for tumours to form,” explained Dr Sheth.
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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Individual patient outcomes may vary; the treatment described here was tailored to the specific needs and risks of the patient involved.
