Doctors at a hospital in Mumbai have successfully treated a 24-year-old pregnant woman diagnosed with a rare tumour involving the eye socket and extending into the brain.
The woman presented with rapidly increasing swelling of the right eye along with double vision, particularly while looking towards the right side. At the time, she was 28 weeks (7 months) pregnant. Following an initial consultation and MRI scan, she was referred to Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre for further evaluation.
Upon assessment, Dr Sudheer Ambekar, consultant Neurosurgery, identified a tumour involving the orbit, eroding the roof of the orbit, and extending into the intracranial compartment. Based on imaging findings, there were concerns that the tumour could be aggressive and potentially malignant.
Given the woman’s pregnancy, a multidisciplinary team was immediately formed, including Dr Ambekar, Dr Shilpa Agarwal, consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Dr Rajashree Deopujari, consultant Neuroanesthesiology. The team carefully evaluated all available options, including delaying treatment until after delivery or proceeding with surgery during pregnancy.
As the woman was in her second trimester, considered the safest period for necessary surgical interventions during pregnancy, the team decided to proceed with surgery after carefully weighing the risks and benefits. Extensive planning was undertaken to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and baby throughout the procedure.
The surgery was successfully performed in July 2024 and the woman has now finally fully recovered. The tumour was completely removed from both the orbit and the intracranial compartment. Throughout the surgery, the foetus was continuously monitored, while specialised anaesthetic protocols ensured there was no adverse impact on the unborn child.
The woman has recovered well following the surgery, and the pregnancy progressed without complications. Subsequent biopsy results brought welcome news, the tumour was identified as a benign capillary hemangioma, an extremely rare diagnosis in this location, with only a handful of similar cases reported in medical literature worldwide.
Given the rarity of the condition and the possibility of recurrence, the woman remained under close follow-up for more than 18 months. She continues to remain disease-free, with no evidence of recurrence, and both mother and child are healthy and doing well.
Speaking about the case, Dr Ambekar, said, “Treating a tumour that involved both the orbit and the intracranial compartment in a pregnant patient required meticulous planning and seamless coordination across multiple specialties. While the imaging findings initially raised concerns about a potentially aggressive lesion, timely surgical intervention enabled us to completely remove the tumour while ensuring the safety of both mother and baby. The fact that the tumour was ultimately diagnosed as a benign capillary hemangioma and that the patient remains disease-free after more than 18 months makes this outcome especially rewarding.”
Dr Agarwal added, “Managing a complex neurosurgical condition during pregnancy requires balancing the health of the mother with the well-being of the fetus. Through close monitoring and collaborative care, we were able to safely navigate this challenging situation and ensure the best possible outcome for both patients, the mother and her unborn child. This case highlights the value of multidisciplinary care in managing high-risk medical conditions during pregnancy.”
Thw woman thanking everyone said, “I will forever be thankful to Dr Ambekar and Dr Agarwal. Their skill, compassion, and teamwork not only healed me but safeguarded my baby’s life. Their dedication gave us both a future filled with hope.”
Commenting on the case, Jitendra Haryan, CEO of the hospital said, “Behind every complex case is a patient and a family navigating uncertainty and hope. In this instance, we were caring for both mother and child, which made the responsibility even more significant.”
Mumbai doctors remove rare brain-orbit tumour in pregnant woman
