Father Muller Performs Advanced Eye-Preserving Treatment for Childhood Eye Cancer
Mangaluru: In a significant advancement in paediatric cancer care, Father Muller Medical College Hospital (FMMCH), Mangaluru, has successfully performed Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC) on a child diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer affecting young children. The procedure was performed during the second week of October 2026, and the child showed encouraging improvement during a routine follow-up visit in the last week of October.
This marks the first reported use of this advanced eye-preserving treatment in Mangaluru, bringing specialised cancer care closer to home for children who would otherwise have to travel to major metropolitan centres for such procedures.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Lenon D’Souza, Unit Chief and Associate Professor, and Dr. Mandeep Sagar, Associate Professor, both from the Department of Interventional Radiology, along with their team, in collaboration with Dr. Sripathi Kamath, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, FMMCH.
Retinoblastoma is a potentially life-threatening cancer that develops in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In advanced cases, surgical removal of the affected eye may become necessary to control the disease. Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy offers a minimally invasive treatment option for selected patients, with the potential to preserve the affected eye.
During the procedure, a very thin, flexible tube is carefully guided through the blood vessels to reach the artery supplying the tumour in the affected eye. Chemotherapy medication is then delivered directly through this artery, allowing a high concentration of the drug to reach the tumour while reducing exposure to the rest of the body. This targeted approach can help minimise some of the side effects commonly associated with conventional intravenous or systemic chemotherapy.
For this child, the procedure offered an important opportunity to control the tumour and potentially avoid surgical removal of the affected eye.
A key factor in enabling the procedure was the availability of the state-of-the-art Philips Azurion Biplane Cath Lab at the Department of Interventional Radiology, FMMCH.
Equipped with advanced 3D angiography and navigation capabilities, this sophisticated imaging system enables doctors to visualise intricate blood vessels in exceptional detail and precisely guide extremely thin catheters through the delicate vessels supplying the eye.
Described as the first facility of its kind in Dakshina Kannada, the system has been valuable in enabling the Interventional Radiology team to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with greater precision and effectiveness.
The intervention was performed under general anaesthesia. Dr. Ananth Somayaji, Assistant Professor, Department of Anaesthesiology, FMMCH, and the anaesthesia team played a vital role in ensuring the child’s safety throughout the procedure.
The child’s treatment journey began under the care of Dr. Harsha Prasad, Consultant Paediatric Haemato-Oncologist at KMC Hospital, who evaluated the child and initiated systemic chemotherapy for retinoblastoma affecting both eyes.
Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Sripathi Kamath, Ophthalmologist, successfully treated the tumour in one eye through an eye-directed procedure.
However, the tumour in the other eye required additional specialised treatment. Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy was recommended to further reduce the tumour burden and improve the chances of preserving the affected eye.
Two weeks after the IAC procedure, the child underwent intravitreal chemotherapy, in which anticancer medication is carefully injected directly into the eye to target residual tumour cells, particularly those within the vitreous cavity.
This procedure was led by Prof. Dr. Sripathi Kamath, with support from Prof. Dr. Sunayana Bhat and the Department of Ophthalmology at FMMCH.
The child is currently doing well and has shown an encouraging response to treatment. Continued monitoring and follow-up will be essential to assess long-term tumour control and the possibility of preserving the affected eye.
Retinoblastoma is the most common malignant eye tumour in children and typically affects those below five years of age. It may involve one or both eyes.
Parents should be alert to the following warning signs:
- A white reflection in the pupil, particularly noticeable in flash photographs.
- Squinting or misalignment of the eyes.
- Persistent redness, swelling or pain in the eye.
- Reduced vision or unusual eye movements.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical, as retinoblastoma is often curable when detected and managed appropriately.
Bringing Advanced Cancer Treatment Closer to Home
Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy is a highly specialised procedure requiring advanced imaging facilities, precise navigation through tiny blood vessels, expertise in vascular interventions, paediatric anaesthesia and close coordination among multiple medical specialties.
This achievement highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between the departments of Interventional Radiology, Ophthalmology, Paediatric Haemato-Oncology and Anaesthesiology. Their shared objective is to achieve effective cancer control while preserving the child’s eye and, wherever possible, useful vision.
With this advancement, Father Muller Medical College Hospital continues to expand access to sophisticated, minimally invasive treatments, offering renewed hope to children and families facing the challenges of childhood eye cancer.
Fr. Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI), and the management members of the college and hospital appreciated the medical teams for their successful use of the advanced facilities and resources made available at the institution for the benefit of patients.