A cricket ball-sized tumor found in the spine successfully removed by doctors at Fortis Greater Noida

From Paralysis to Independence: Patient regains ability to walk and lead a normal life

The team at Fortis Hospital, Greater Noida has performed a surgery that is rarely seen in medical science. A large and extremely rare myxoid-origin tumor was discovered in the spine of Mr. Subodh Kumar, 44, a resident of Greater Noida. The tumor had spread from the upper back to the chest. Such cases are extremely uncommon in India.

The tumor had grown to such an extent that Mr. Subodh was completely dependent on a wheelchair. He had been suffering from paralysis for over two months, had completely lost control over his bladder and bowel, and was mentally devastated.

Initially, the illness was mistaken for a slipped disc or spinal tuberculosis, which led to a delay in the correct diagnosis and treatment. His condition worsened rapidly, and he became entirely dependent on his family for every small and big task — from urinating, defecating, eating, to walking.

The tumor was nearly the size of a cricket ball and had spread from the spine into the mediastinal cavity inside the chest. Removing it was an extremely delicate and challenging task, as it was adhering to the spinal cord.

The surgery was led by Dr. Himanshu Tyagi, Director & Head of Orthopaedics and Spine Surgery, supported by his team including Dr. Rajesh Mishra and Dr. Mohit Sharma. The operation lasted for about four hours, and utilized microscopic surgery, intra-operative neuromonitoring, and image guidance technologies.

Dr. Himanshu Tyagi shared,
"The tumor was located in a very sensitive area and was stuck to the spinal nerves. We had to exercise extreme caution at every step of the surgery. The greatest risk was damaging the spinal cord, which could have led to permanent paralysis. There were also risks of incomplete tumor removal, CSF leakage, infection, and lung-related complications. But our team overcame this challenge through precise planning, technology, and experience. The most rewarding outcome is that the patient can now walk unaided, and his life has returned to normal."

Four months after the surgery, Subodh is now completely independent in all daily tasks — walking, climbing stairs, urination, and defecation — without any support. His recovery is being considered nothing short of extraordinary.

The exact causes behind such tumors are still unclear, but possible factors include genetic mutations, prior radiation therapy, or uncontrolled cellular growth. Most spinal cord tumors are idiopathic, meaning they have no known cause, and they are typically non-hereditary.

Speaking emotionally about his experience, Subodh Kumar said, "I had accepted that my life was over. But Fortis gave me a second life. Today, I am neither on a wheelchair nor dependent on a catheter. I can walk on my own two feet. I’ve got my life back."