Bangladesh achieves first ventilator-assisted brainstem glioma radiotherapy success

Evercare Hospital Chattogram has achieved Bangladesh's first successful treatment of a patient with malignant brainstem glioma using radiotherapy while the patient was on mechanical ventilation.

The hospital disclosed the achievement at a press briefing yesterday (22 July), saying that an 18-year-old patient underwent 30 radiotherapy sessions while on ventilator support in the ICU before making a significant recovery.

According to a press release from the hospital, the patient had been suffering from the aggressive brain tumour before developing rapid neurological deterioration, including left-sided weakness, speech difficulties, and severe swallowing problems.

The family initially took him to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore, where he developed cardiorespiratory failure and required emergency mechanical ventilation. As treatment could not continue there, he was brought back to Bangladesh on life support.

After returning to Bangladesh, the patient was admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Evercare Hospital Chattogram, where visiting consultant Dr Bhaskar Chakraborty led the treatment after the family consented to begin radiotherapy while he remained on ventilator support.

The hospital said delivering 30 radiotherapy sessions to a critically ill patient on mechanical ventilation was highly complex and marked a milestone for cancer care in Bangladesh.

Following multidisciplinary treatment and close monitoring by ICU and oncology specialists, the patient's condition gradually improved. He was weaned off the ventilator, had his tracheostomy and nasogastric tubes removed, regained the ability to swallow and resumed eating normally.

The patient also underwent physiotherapy and specialised rehabilitation, eventually regaining the ability to walk with a walker. A post-treatment contrast MRI fusion scan showed significant tumour improvement, the hospital said.

"This was one of the most challenging cases we have handled. Completing all 30 radiotherapy sessions while the patient remained on life support and helping him breathe independently again is a remarkable achievement," said Dr Bhaskar.

Dr Hassan Shahriar Kabir, director of medical services at Evercare Hospital Chattogram, said the case showed that international-standard cancer treatment could be delivered in Bangladesh through timely decisions, advanced technology and coordinated multidisciplinary care.

Chief Operating Officer Samir Singh said the success reflected advanced medical technology as well as the expertise and collaboration of specialists from multiple disciplines.