Manesar, 19th June, 2025: In a remarkable breakthrough in cancer treatment, Doctors at Fortis Hospital Manesar have successfully treated a 38-year-old man diagnosed with stage 4 Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma – a rare and aggressive form of head and neck cancer—using advanced oral targeted therapy. The patient, who had been battling cancer for over two years and was seeking treatment at a city – based hospital in Jaipur, had previously shown no response to surgery and multiple sessions of conventional chemotherapy. He presented at Fortis Hospital, Manesar with a large, painful, visibly disfiguring tumor on the right side of his face and neck that had spread to his lungs. However, the team of doctors led by Dr Pooja Babbar, Consultant and Unit Head, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Manesar treated the patient with unconventional form of treatment – Targeted oral therapy. The patient is currently stable, and he is continuing maintenance therapy under regular follow-ups.
When first admitted at Fortis Manesar in early 2025, the patient experienced severe pain, weight loss, visible facial disfigurement and emotional distress. Despite undergoing multiple rounds of palliative chemotherapy in the past, his cancer continued to spread. Upon re-assessment, it was confirmed that the disease had advanced to stage 4, with cancer spreading to his lungs. Under the care of Dr. Pooja Babbar, the patient underwent molecular testing (Next Generation Sequencing) that revealed a rare gene mutation, found in less than 1% of all reported cancers. This enabled the clinical team to personalize his treatment using Entrectinib, an oral targeted therapy designed to attack cancer cells based on their specific genetic profile. Giving details of the case, Dr Pooja Babbar, Consultant and Unit Head, Medical Oncology, Fortis Hospital, Manesar said, “Cancer is a relentless enemy but not an invincible one. Oral Targeted Therapy offers a unique approach to cancer treatment. Oral targeted therapy involves using drugs in pill or capsule form to target specific molecules or pathways within cancer cells, potentially leading to tumor growth inhibition or cell death. These therapies are designed to be more selective than traditional chemotherapy, aiming to minimize harm to healthy cells. They are increasingly used in various cancers, including lung, breast, and oral cancers. Unlike surgery or radiation, which target specific areas, these drugs can reach cancer cells throughout the body. This makes them particularly useful for stage 4 cancers, where the disease may have spread widely, and there is hardly any ray of hope for the patient’s recovery and survival. This innovative approach offers a ray of hope in the fight against advanced cancers, providing new opportunities to manage the chronic disease and improve quality of life. Oral targeted therapy like Entrectinib has revolutionized how we treat patients with specific mutations.” Dr Pooja further added “In this case, the drug not only halted progression but led to a dramatic 60–70% reduction in tumor size within two months. By the end of four months, the tumor had nearly disappeared. This case highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, molecular profiling, and access to precision medicine. Had the treatment been further delayed, his chances of recovery would have diminished significantly.” Abhijit Singh, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Manesar said, “This rare case reflects Fortis Hospital Manesar’s commitment to delivering advanced cancer care and offering patients a new lease on life who have lost all hope. Fortis Hospital Manesar remains committed to offering cutting-edge, compassionate cancer care by integrating genomic insights with evidence-based oncology.”