65-Year-Old from Ramnagara treated for Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer via Innovative Low-Dose Immunotherapy at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road  

65-Year-Old from Ramnagara treated for Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer via Innovative Low-Dose Immunotherapy at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road  

Ramnagara, 16 January 2025: Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru has successfully treated a 65-year-old from Ramnagara diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. The cancer, which had spread to his liver, caused severe difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids. A team of doctors, led by Dr. Vivek Belathur, Additional Director - Medical Oncology at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru successfully treated the patient through a comprehensive treatment plan that included palliative radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and a personalised low-dose immunotherapy regimen.  

The patient, initially experienced difficulty swallowing, a common symptom of esophageal cancer. After undergoing initial consultations in Ramnagara, he was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer, that had spread to his liver. At this advanced stage, treatment options are typically limited, and the prognosis is generally poor. Seeking relief, he turned to Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta in Bengaluru. 

Due to the seriousness of the diagnosis, the patient was quickly started on palliative radiation therapy (radiation used not to cure the cancer, but to help ease symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, and to improve the patient’s overall quality of life). After completing six cycles of chemotherapy, the cancer continued to grow, showing signs of progression. In response, Dr Vivek Belathur moved to a second-line chemotherapy treatment (switched to a different chemotherapy regimen because the first one wasn't effective). The new treatment involved the drugs Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, which are used to target and kill cancer cells. However, by late 2022, the cancer had stabilised. This led to a change in the treatment plan, and the patient was transitioned to a more innovative approach low-dose immunotherapy and with this treatment, the disease is in control at the end of two years which is remarkable for a patient who had this type of cancer which had spread to the Liver. This is a newer strategy where a smaller, fractionated dose of immunotherapy is given compared to the standard full dose. The goal of immunotherapy is to help the body’s immune system recognize and fight the cancer more effectively, even with a reduced dose. 

Speaking about the case, Dr Vivek Belathur, Additional Director - Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, said, "The use of low-dose immunotherapy in this case has been a breakthrough. We tailored the treatment specifically to the patient’s needs, and he has shown remarkable improvement. Despite the patient's stage 4 diagnosis, the personalized treatment approach has led to significant improvements, including reduced swallowing difficulties, weight gain, and no major side effects. His cancer has remained stable, and he has not experienced common side effects such as hair loss or blood count issues. While this treatment may not be effective for all cases, it demonstrates the potential of innovative therapies to manage complex cancer diagnoses and offer hope to those facing similar challenges.” 

Mr. Akshay Oleti, Business Head, Fortis Hospitals Bengaluru, added, "We at Fortis Hospital are committed to providing state-of-the-art treatments and personalized care to our patients. The success of low-dose immunotherapy in this case highlights the importance of exploring innovative, tailored treatment options for those facing advanced cancers. This breakthrough approach not only offers hope to our patient but also sets a new precedent for cancer care, emphasizing our dedication to continuously integrating cutting-edge therapies to improve patient outcomes."