Dr. Devesh S. Ballal

A 72-year-old retired school principal with multiple comorbidities including diabetes and hypertension developed early-stage pancreatic cancer. Dr. Ballal utilized robotic-assisted Whipple procedure, carefully managing her blood sugar and blood pressure throughout the delicate surgery. Her recovery involved three months of gradual rehabilitation, but she celebrated her 75th birthday cancer-free with her former students. (Patient of Dr. S.)

A 45-year-old single mother working as a software engineer discovered a rare gastrointestinal stromal tumor during a routine health checkup. Dr. Ballal performed laparoscopic resection, minimizing hospital stay so she could quickly return to caring for her autistic son. Her company provided flexible work arrangements during her two-month recovery, and she now advocates for corporate health initiatives. (Patient of Dr. S.)

An 18-year-old college athlete from an affluent family was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his femur during his basketball season. Dr. Ballal performed limb-salvage surgery with custom prosthesis implantation, working closely with physiotherapists to design a progressive rehabilitation program. After nine months of intensive therapy, he returned to recreational sports and is now studying sports medicine. (Patient of Dr. S.)

A 60-year-old farmer from a remote village presented with advanced oral cancer after chewing tobacco for decades. With limited family support, Dr. Ballal performed composite resection with free flap reconstruction, arranging temporary accommodation for the patient's postoperative follow-up. The patient's speech and swallowing functions were preserved, and he now mentors other villagers about tobacco cessation. (Patient of Dr. S.)

A 28-year-old street food vendor from a low-income neighborhood presented with an aggressive thyroid carcinoma that had been misdiagnosed as a simple goiter for years. Dr. Ballal performed a complex total thyroidectomy with modified radical neck dissection, coordinating with social workers to ensure the patient could afford postoperative thyroid medication. The patient returned to his business within six weeks and now organizes cancer awareness campaigns in his community.