Shefali
After a rare nerve-sheath sarcoma was removed from the back of her head with an involved margin, Shefali travelled from Bangladesh to BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi for tumour-board-led radiation and targeted therapy.
Why the Family Contacted CancerFax
Shefali's family were facing a rare diagnosis with a worrying detail, the involved margin, and they needed to understand what could be done next and where. They were not in a position to evaluate sarcoma programmes abroad on their own, or to manage the logistics of cross-border treatment. That is where navigation support made the difference.
MPNST is uncommon and needs coordinated, multidisciplinary care. Identifying a hospital with genuine sarcoma experience required specialist knowledge.
Whether radiation, targeted therapy or both were suitable could only be decided by specialists after reviewing her full pathology and imaging.
Getting reports and slides reviewed, arranging travel for the patient and an attendant, and coordinating with the hospital all had to be handled.
"It was a rare cancer and the report said the margin was not clear. We needed to know what to do next, and we needed help to reach the right hospital."β Shefali's family
How CancerFax Helped
CancerFax acted as the link between Shefali's family in Bangladesh and the cancer team in New Delhi. The work was practical from start to finish: getting her pathology in front of the right specialists, identifying a centre with a tumour board, and coordinating the travel and communication so the family could concentrate on her care.
Her histopathology and review reports were compiled and shared so the specialist team could assess the diagnosis and plan before she travelled.
BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi was identified as a centre with multidisciplinary sarcoma experience, under Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas and the tumour board.
CancerFax managed communication with the hospital's international team through evaluation, the treatment plan, and arrival arrangements.
Visa guidance, travel from Bangladesh for Shefali and an accompanying family member, and on-the-ground logistics were coordinated.
Shefali's Treatment Journey
Key steps from a rare diagnosis to specialist treatment and follow-up.
Shefali noticed a mass at the back of her head, in the occipital region. It was surgically excised in Bangladesh and sent for histopathology.
The pathology reported a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma, with the surgical margin involved by tumour.
Two further pathology reviews in Dhaka confirmed the same diagnosis and recommended immunostaining for additional characterisation. It was clear more than surgery alone would be needed.
The family connected with CancerFax. Her reports were shared with a specialist centre, and BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi was identified for tumour-board-led sarcoma care.
Shefali travelled to New Delhi, where Dr. Surender Kumar Dabas and the tumour board reviewed her case and agreed on a treatment plan.
She underwent radiation therapy along with targeted therapy, as directed by the multidisciplinary team.
Shefali completed her planned treatment and is now on regular follow-up, with ongoing monitoring to watch for any sign of recurrence.
Every patient's treatment plan is individual. The pathway above describes this specific case β not a blueprint for others. Suitability for each treatment is determined by the treating clinical team based on each patient's individual clinical situation.
Where Shefali Is Today
Shefali has completed the radiation and targeted therapy planned by the tumour board at BLK Super Speciality Hospital and is now on regular follow-up.
Because MPNST is an aggressive sarcoma and her initial surgery had an involved margin, continued monitoring is an important part of her care. Follow-up scans and reviews help her treating doctors catch and act on any changes early. For the family, the priority was getting her the coordinated specialist treatment she needed, and that has now been done.
β"She got the treatment we could not arrange at home, and now she is being watched closely. We feel we did everything we could for her."ββ Shefali's family
What Other Families Can Learn
Shefali's journey offers practical lessons for families dealing with a rare cancer and an uncertain surgical result.
When a tumour is removed but the margin is positive, further specialist treatment is often needed to lower the risk of it returning. Do not assume surgery alone is the end of the story.
Uncommon tumours like MPNST are best managed by a multidisciplinary team that reviews surgery, radiation and systemic therapy together.
Confirming the exact diagnosis, including review of slides and recommended immunostaining, shapes the entire treatment plan.
Travel for a patient and attendant, hospital communication, and logistics are all solvable when someone handles them step by step.
Related on CancerFax
Frequently Asked Questions
This patient story reflects an individual treatment journey. Outcomes vary from patient to patient. The information on this page should not be taken as medical advice or a guarantee of similar results. Treatment suitability depends on diagnosis, disease status, prior therapy, molecular findings, overall health, and specialist medical evaluation. Names and identifying details may be modified to protect patient privacy. All clinical decisions must be made in consultation with a qualified, licensed physician with access to the patient's complete medical information.
Need Help Understanding the Next Step?
If you or a loved one is facing a complex cancer diagnosis, relapse, or limited treatment options, CancerFax can help you organise the case, explore relevant hospitals and doctors, and understand whether advanced treatment or clinical trial pathways may be appropriate.
Β© CancerFax Β· Patient navigation and coordination platform. CancerFax is not a medical institution and does not provide medical treatment. All clinical care is provided by independent licensed physicians and hospitals. Patient names and identifying details are modified or anonymised where required to protect privacy. Story shared with documented family consent.