Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai, has achieved a remarkable milestone in paediatric surgical oncology by successfully treating India’s youngest patient with aggressive thyroid cancer – a 5-year-10-month-old girl from West Bengal. The child underwent a complex total thyroidectomy with bilateral neck dissections for papillary thyroid carcinoma with extensive metastases and has made a remarkable recovery.
The child was brought to Apollo Children’s Hospital by her father after he noticed a swelling in her neck. A thorough evaluation revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer in children.
Given the tumour’s proximity to critical neck structures, Dr. Balaji, Senior Consultant ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon, led the surgery. His expertise in head and neck anatomy and micro-dissection were vital to ensure safe and complete tumour removal. He was supported by a multidisciplinary team of paediatric oncologists, endocrinologists, and anaesthetists, ensuring comprehensive care throughout the procedure. The Multi-disciplinary team of doctors included Dr. Balaji, ENT Surgeon, Apollo Children’s Hospitals, Dr. Sriprakash Duraisamy, Consultant, Head & Neck and skull base surgery, Apollo Childrens Hospital, Dr. Jeenat Malawat consultant, Pediatric ENT Surgeon at Apollo Children’s Hospital.
During surgery, extensive metastatic spread was found and the team was able to preserve the major vital structures, including the vessels and nerves in the neck. However, the tumour had encased the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, which had to be carefully sacrificed to achieve complete resection and prevent recurrence. The procedure was performed meticulously, and a postoperative radioiodine scan later confirmed no significant tracer uptake, indicating that the cancer had been successfully cleared.
Today, the child is doing well, with a healed wound, near-normal voice, and an active, healthy life. Her resilience and recovery serve as a powerful story of hope and healing, symbolizing the strength of early diagnosis and expert intervention.
Speaking about the surgery, Dr. Balaji, ENT Surgeon, Apollo Children’s Hospitals, said, “This was an extremely rare and challenging case. Performing a total thyroidectomy with bilateral central and lateral neck dissections for papillary thyroid carcinoma in such a young child is unprecedented in India. The success of this surgery underscores the importance of early diagnosis, advanced surgical techniques, and a skilled multidisciplinary approach. We are delighted that the child has recovered well and is leading a normal life.”
Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Region, said, “This milestone reflects the very essence of Apollo Hospital’s commitment, combining compassion with clinical excellence to deliver life-saving outcomes even in the most complex cases. The successful treatment of India’s youngest thyroid cancer patient demonstrates the strength of our paediatric specialty programs and our dedication to bringing the highest standards of care to every child and family who walks through our doors.”
This landmark case represents a new frontier in paediatric oncology in India, showcasing Apollo Children’s Hospital’s ability to deliver world-class outcomes for even the youngest and most complex patients.
