Six facts about case of surgeon who contracted cancer from patient

A surgeon performing an operation on a cancer patient accidentally ‘transplanted’ the disease into himself, in what is believed to be a unique medical event, the Daily Mail reported on Friday.

Tribune Online reports that the patient, a 32-year-old man from Germany, was undergoing surgery to remove a rare abdominal tumour when the 53-year-old doctor accidentally cut his hand. Although the wound was quickly disinfected and bandaged, complications arose months later.

Five months after the incident, the surgeon discovered a small lump forming at the site of the injury and sought medical attention. Tests revealed the lump to be a malignant tumour, genetically identical to the cancer afflicting his former patient.

Medical experts concluded that tumour cells from the patient had entered the surgeon’s wound during the operation, leading to this extraordinary case of cancer transmission.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at six facts you should know about the case:

1. Accidental Injury During Surgery

While operating on a 32-year-old patient with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, a rare cancer, the surgeon accidentally cut his hand. The wound was immediately disinfected and bandaged.

2. Development of Malignant Tumor

Five months after the incident, the surgeon noticed a lump at the injury site. Medical examination revealed it was a malignant tumor.

3. Genetic Match to Patient’s Cancer

Genetic analysis confirmed that the tumor in the surgeon was identical to the patient’s cancer, indicating direct transmission of cancer cells.

4. Rare Case of Cancer Transmission

Such direct transmission of cancer between individuals is extremely rare, making this case noteworthy in medical literature.

5. Successful Treatment

The surgeon underwent treatment to remove the tumor. Reports indicate that there were no signs of recurrence or metastasis following the procedure.

6. Patient’s Outcome

The patient initially survived the surgery but later passed away due to complications unrelated to the tumor.

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