Ng.’s tumor before surgery
Ng. had the germ cell tumor on the right cheek since she was 4-months old. It started with a tumor in the oral cavity that causes tongue compression, making eating difficult. Her family took her to many hospitals but all treatments failed. The tumor grew day by day, obstructing the airway, causing difficulty in speaking and eating. After Ng.’s relatives brought her to Hue Central Hospital, doctors consulted and determined that this was a mixed tumor, both malignant and benign.
Prof. Pham Nhu Hiep - Director of Hue Central Hospital initially held a board meeting to select the most optimal treatment for this pediatric patient’s tumor. Besides, through the connection of Dr. Phan Canh Duy - Oncology Center and Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa - Pediatric Center and with foreign experts. This patient was also consulted online by the team of doctors of Hue Central Hospital and the famous Hospital for pediatric cancer, St Jude Children's Research Hospital - USA, as well as with the experts on pediatric tumor from Curie Institute, France, to prescribe the specific treatment regimen for this pediatric patient.
After completing the 5-month chemotherapy course at Pediatric Center- Hue Central Hospital, the tumor had been partially reduced, but the remain was still very large as it invaded the facial bone, making the total removal of the tumor difficult. If the tumor were removed, the child would have a large gap in the face, as it would be difficult to reconstruct the face, to maintain the function of speech, breathing and eating for the patient.
Exchanging professional knowledge after the surgery for patient Ng.
All data was sent to Prof. Dr. McKay McKinnon, a famous plastic surgeon at the University Hospital of Chicago, USA; and he agreed to come to Hue Central Hospital to directly perform free surgeries for this patient, along with other complicated cases.
On October 25, 2019, after 4 hours of intense surgery, Professor McKinnon with the assistance of specialized doctor Tran Xuan Phu, along with the surgeons of Hue Odonto-Stomatology Center, Hue Central Hospital, completely removed the tumor with the removal of half of mandible due to invasive tumor. After 12 days, the patient recovered quickly and was discharged from the hospital.
By this time, the treatment course ended auspiciously as expected. The child returned to her normal life with a fully recovered health, and would be possible to be back to school in the next 1 or 2 months. The patient was monitored and would have reconstructive surgery of the mandible when she gets old enough, as her facial bone would be stable after turning 15-16 years old.
Professor McKinnon would return to Hue Central Hospital for a longer period of time in the early 2020 and the following years to perform complicated surgeries as well as to teach young doctors of Hue Central Hospital.
By Minh Truong