Bangladesh's First Successful Treatment of Complex Brainstem Glioma Under Mechanical Ventilator Support

Evercare Hospital Chattogram has set a new milestone in  cancer treatment in Bangladesh. The hospital has successfully completed  treatment of an 18-year-old patient suffering from a complex Malignant  Brainstem Glioma. Successfully completing 30 radiotherapy sessions while the  patient was on active ventilator support (mechanical breathing assistance) is a  first for Bangladesh. To mark the occasion, hospital authorities held a press  meet on 22 July 2026, where the patient's treatment history, current condition,complexity of the disease, and the treatment process were discussed in detail.

Although the patient had been suffering from this complex  disease for a long time, his neurological condition deteriorated rapidly inrecent times. The left side of his body became weak, he developed difficulty  speaking (dysphasia), and he faced repeated breathing difficulties and risk of  aspiration (food entering the airway) while swallowing. In hope of advanced  treatment, his family members took him to Mount Elizabeth Hospital inSingapore.

While under treatment there, his physical condition suddenly  deteriorated severely. He suffered acute cardiorespiratory failure and was  urgently placed on mechanical ventilation. Since it was not possible to  continue treatment there afterward, his family brought him back to the countrywhile he was still on life support.

Upon returning to Chattogram in a critical condition, thepatient was immediately admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ofEvercare Hospital Chattogram. At this point, Dr. Bhaskar Chakraborty, Visiting  Consultant of the hospital's Medical & Radiation Oncology Department, tookcharge of the patient's extremely complex and high-risk treatment. With thefull consent of the family, he made the bold decision to begin radiotherapywhile the patient was still on life support in the medical ICU. Successfullydelivering 30 radiotherapy sessions to a critically ill ICU patient on activeventilator support is, from a medical standpoint, an extremely complex andtechnically challenging procedure, and is being regarded as a new milestone incancer treatment in Bangladesh.

Through close monitoring and coordinated treatment by theICU and cancer specialist teams, the patient gradually recovered. As part ofthe treatment, he was successfully weaned off ventilator support, and thetracheostomy tube in his airway was subsequently removed. Once his ability toswallow returned, the nasogastric (NG) tube was removed, and he began takingfood normally by mouth. Alongside this, through gaze physiotherapy andspecialized rehabilitation programs, the patient regained the ability to walknormally with the support of a walker. Following treatment, a contrast MRIfusion scan showed significant improvement in the tumor.

Regarding this, Dr. Bhaskar Chakraborty, Visiting Consultant,Medical & Radiation Oncology, said, "Delivering radiotherapy in acomplete ICU environment while the patient was on life support or a ventilatorwas, from a medical standpoint, an extremely major challenge. Successfullycompleting 30 radiotherapy sessions, freeing the patient from the ventilator,and restoring his normal breathing is one of the greatest achievements for ourentire team. I am proud to have been able to send this young patient homehealthy, and to have been part of this extraordinary effort by EvercareHospital Chattogram's coordinated medical team."

Dr. Hassan Shahriar Kabir, Director, Medical Services, said,"Every patient recovering and returning to a normal life is our greatestachievement. This success proves that with the right decisions at the righttime, modern technology, and coordinated treatment systems, world-class complexcancer treatment can be provided right here in Bangladesh."

Samir Singh, Chief Operating Officer (COO) said, "Inthis kind of complex cancer treatment, modern technology alone is not enough;what is needed is timely decision-making, expertise, and coordinated effortfrom doctors across different departments. This success proves that world-classcomplex cancer treatment can now be delivered right here in Chattogram."

Doctors and healthcare workers from Radiation and MedicalOncology, Critical Care (ICU), Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine,Cardiology, ENT, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, and Nursing departments workedtirelessly and in a coordinated manner to make this life-saving treatment asuccess.

The press briefing was attended by Prof. Dr. Sajjad MohammadYousuf, Visiting Senior Consultant (Medical and Radiation Oncology); Dr. TanvirAhmed, Consultant & Coordinator - Radiotherapy Service (Medical &Radiation Oncology); Dr. Hasnina Akter, Consultant (Medical and RadiationOncology); Dr. Nayan Bhowmik, Attending Consultant (Medical and RadiationOncology); Prof. Dr. A.A.M. Raihan Uddin, Senior Consultant (Internal Medicineand Critical Care); and Dr. Sheikh-Ul Alam, Attending Consultant (Critical CareMedicine).

The patient's family expressed heartfelt thanks andgratitude to all the doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers involved in thistreatment. In particular, they expressed deep gratitude to Evercare HospitalChattogram's Medical ICU (MICU) and Critical Care team, the RadiotherapyDepartment, the Radiation and Medical Oncology Department, the InternalMedicine Department, the Respiratory Medicine Department, the Cardiology Department,the ENT Department, the Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation team, the Nutritionand Dietetics team, and the Nursing team for their combined and tirelessservice.