BOSTON, USA – In a rare and extraordinary case, a German surgeon developed cancer after accidentally cutting himself while removing a tumour from a patient’s abdomen, according to a report published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
The 53-year-old doctor unknowingly transplanted malignant cells from his patient’s tumour into his own hand, resulting in the growth of a genetically identical cancerous mass.
How the Incident Occurred
The unusual case began during the operation of a 32-year-old patient diagnosed with malignant fibrous histiocytoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer affecting fewer than 1,400 people annually.
While performing the procedure, the surgeon injured the palm of his left hand while placing a drain.
The wound was immediately disinfected and bandaged, and the surgery itself was deemed a success. Tragically, the patient later died due to post-surgical complications.
Five months after the operation, the surgeon noticed a hard, tumour-like lump measuring 1.2 inches at the base of his left middle finger.
Seeking medical attention, he underwent a thorough examination, including laboratory and blood tests, which showed no abnormalities.
The mass was removed and, upon microscopic analysis, was identified as a malignant fibrous histiocytoma.
Further testing revealed the tumour was genetically identical to the patient’s cancer, leading doctors to conclude that tumour cells from the patient had entered the surgeon’s bloodstream through the cut on his hand.
Why This Case Is Unique
The authors of the case study described the situation as exceptionally rare.
Typically, transplanted tissue is rejected by the host’s immune system due to an inflammatory response that targets foreign cells.
“In the case of the surgeon, an intense inflammatory reaction developed in the tissue surrounding the tumour, but the tumour mass increased, suggesting an ineffective antitumour immune response,” the authors noted.
They hypothesised that the cancer cells evaded destruction by the immune system through mechanisms such as altered cellular molecules and failure of the immune system to recognise the tumour as foreign.
The case highlights the stark contrast between this scenario and traditional tissue transplants, where recipients must take immunosuppressive drugs to prevent their immune systems from rejecting the transplanted organ.
Outcome and Implications
Following the removal of the tumour, the surgeon showed no signs of cancer recurrence or metastasis, a positive outcome given the initial severity of the situation.
Although cases like this are extraordinarily rare, the incident underscores the occupational risks faced by medical professionals and the complexity of cancer biology.
“It is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities even experienced surgeons can face in their work,” the report concluded.
This one-of-a-kind case has sparked discussions in medical circles about occupational safety, the limits of the human immune system, and the unpredictable nature of cancer.
