Successful Brain Tumor Treatment in India: A Patient Case Study (Othman Elshekh Ahmed)

A brain tumor is a debilitating condition that can severely affect the quality of life of an individual. Depending on the type, stage, and grade of brain tumor, it is typically treated with the help of medications, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, or a combination of all these treatment modalities.

It is important for brain tumor patients to seek treatment under the guidance of an experienced and reputed neurosurgeon. Additionally, the hospital where the treatment is conducted also plays an important role.

The elder son of Othman Elshekh Ahmed, Osama, who works in Doha, Qatar, decided to take him to India for brain tumor treatment. The family wanted Othman to receive the best treatment possible at one of the most advanced and JCI-certified hospitals and MediGence helped them with their quest.

Patient Introduction

Othman is a 70-year-old resident of Sudan. He was diagnosed with low-grade glioblastoma, which is one of the most dangerous types of brain tumor. The initial diagnosis took place in Qatar as his elder son wanted to be around him for his care. Othman underwent several tests and investigations in Qatar around March 09 before the family decided to look for better treatment options abroad.

Osama got in touch with MediGence in the second week of March. He got to know about MediGence through Google search while looking for some of the best hospitals abroad with better facilities and infrastructure.

The Patient Care team at MediGence got in touch with Osama when they received his inquiry for brain tumor treatment in India. Following the first contact, Osama shared the medical reports of his father with the team, including an MRI investigation and other reports.

About Patient’s Medical Condition

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The reports shared by Osama indicated low-grade glioblastoma (Stage IV). Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of Brain cancer. This type of cancer forms in the type of cells called astrocytes, which are known to support the nerve cells.

Othman was on antiepileptics to prevent seizures when Osama got in touch with MediGence. Osama reported that his father was unable to control the movement of his right hand. Additionally, he experienced trouble with the speech from time to time (slurring of speech) and loss of balance.

Osama got in touch with MediGence and asked them to get an opinion from the best hospitals in Delhi NCR on the basis of his father’s report. The team shared the reports of his father with some of the most famous hospitals in Delhi NCR to seek an opinion.

Within a day, the team came up with a treatment plan with the three best options in the Delhi NCR region. Osama selected Artemis Hospital in Gurgaon based on MediGence’s recommendation, which is a JCI-certified multispecialty hospital in India.

Osama had a few questions on the approach that the doctors were planning to use to operate on his father. The team at MediGence cleared all his doubts as he decided to finally visit India for his father’s treatment.

A visa invitation letter was obtained from the hospital, which helped speed up the process. The team at MediGence shared special instructions for Osama’s father and also asked him to obtain a fit-to-fly certification from the attending doctor in Sudan before the travel.

Additionally, the team shared a list of instructions with Osama to ensure that they carry all the important documents. Upon the team’s instructions, the flight attendants were informed that a patient is on board and that he may need medical assistance during the journey.

Travel Period

Othman arrived in India on March 18th along with Osama’s brother. An ambulance pick-up was arranged for Othman from the airport. He was directly admitted to the hospital. Osama arrived in the country a few days later.

Following successful surgery, Othman returned to Qatar along with Osama on April 6th. The radiation and chemotherapy sessions following the surgery were conducted back in Qatar.

Treatment Details

The doctor examined Othman on the same day of his admission. A number of tests, including an MRI, were conducted on the same day. A craniotomy surgery with neuro-guided navigation was planned for Othman. The hospital had not received funds from Osama for the surgery at that time, so the team at MediGence arranged the surgery on his behalf so that there is no delay in the treatment.

The tumor excised during the surgery was sent for biopsy. Contrary to what was initially diagnosed in Qatar, the biopsy revealed that Othman had high-grade glioblastoma (Grade IV). The neurologist advised Osama that his father must undergo multiple cycles of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in this case.

Osama was given an option that his father may decide to stay back and continue treatment at Artemis Hospital or he can fly to Qatar and get the remaining treatment back home.

The family decided among themselves that they would return and continue the pending treatment in Qatar. The family was provided with drugs for chemotherapy for future treatment.

Treatment Challenges

The entire process was streamlined and the patient and the attendants did not feel any discomfort during their stay. All the arrangements were made by the MediGence team, including local travel and hotel booking to get an opinion from the doctor.

The difference in language was one barrier that Othman struggled with initially. However, with the support from the attendants and the team at MediGence, language issues were taken care of.

Patient’s Medical Condition (Post-treatment)

After three days of the surgery, Othman was fit for discharge from the hospital. He was transferred to the hotel upon the doctor’s approval, where they had to wait for the biopsy results.

The last consultation with the doctor happened after the biopsy results were received. The doctor gave approval to Othman that he can go back to Qatar and continue to get the remaining treatment. The arrangements for the hotel to airport transfer were made on the day of their flight back home.

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