Victor, a patient from Sierra Leone, West Africa, can now breathe freely and return home after a life-threatening tumor in his windpipe was successfully removed at Amrita Hospital, Kochi. For over three years, Victor had struggled with persistent cough, breathing difficulties, and repeated pneumonia, with no relief from hospitals across Africa. By the time he reached a hospital in Turkey, his condition had worsened, and a CT scan revealed a serious but undiagnosed lung obstruction.

Referred to Dr. Tinku Joseph, Professor & Head of Interventional Pulmonology at Amrita Hospital, Victor arrived in Kochi critically ill, surviving on artificial respiration. A thorough evaluation uncovered a large mass obstructing his left bronchus. An emergency surgery was performed to remove the tumor completely, reopening his left lung and restoring normal breathing.

Post-surgery biopsy identified the mass as an atypical carcinoid tumor, with further screening showing metastasis to other parts of the body. Victor then received timely cancer treatment and chemotherapy under Dr. Saurabh Radhakrishnan, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, resulting in remarkable recovery.

After nearly two months of intensive care, Victor returned to Sierra Leone, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care and world-class medical expertise he received at Amrita Hospital. Dr. Tinku Joseph noted, “This case truly exemplifies the excellence of Kerala’s healthcare system, and the dedication of our team to delivering life-saving treatments.”