HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), South Asia’s largest cancer care network pioneering treatment of highly complicated and recurrent cases of cancer among patients from across the globe, has successfully treated a rare brain cancer referred to as pineal gland tumour. Till date only 12 such cases have been reported worldwide.

The patient, Seraphine Moipei, a 14-year-old opera singer from Africa started losing memory and became forgetful, thus losing track herself. There was a weight gain of 18 kgs in less than nine months as she would eat at frequent intervals forgetting that she had just eaten.

The specialists in the Africa were left clueless about the nature of her disorder and the patient’s family explored medical options in India and was directed to HCG. The team of HCG specialists concluded that it was a rare disorder and was flown to Bangalore.

The team led by Dr B S Ajaikumar, chairman, HCG put her through several tests and based on the reports concluded that Seraphine was suffering from pineal gland tumour.

“Our expertise has been put to test especially when doctors from other countries had no clue of the nature of disorder. The case study gives us the confidence to handle more complicated cases from around the world and make our vision of ‘living with cancer’ a reality”, stated Dr Kumar.

Elaborating on the nature of the disorder and treatment provided to Seraphine, Dr P S Sridhar, Radiation Oncologist, HCG, stated that the detailed examination revealed that the patient was suffering from one of the rare brain tumour known as pineal gland tumour. Given the nature of disorder and complexity involved, the patient operated upon and successfully removed the tumour after which she underwent two sessions of Cyberknife treatment.

The patient’s voice box is back to normal and she could commence opera singing sessions.

HCG, currently manages a network of 18 cancer centres across South Asia. It focuses on cancer treatment centres, imaging & laboratory services and clinical trials & research services. Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO), the flagship of HCG, set up almost 2 decades back was the first dedicated comprehensive cancer centre to be established in the private sector in India. In 2000, after the acquisition of Curie Centre of Oncology in Bangalore the hospital was re-christened it as HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.