Special surgery to deliver newborn baby while treating mother with terminal cancer

At 26 weeks pregnant, Thao Thi Linh (23 years old, Son La province) was diagnosed with metastatic rectal cancer. In the moment of life and death, doctors from K Hospital and the Central Maternity Hospital successfully saved both mother and child.

The moment Ms. Linh met her child again 3 weeks after surgery moved many people - Photo: BVCC

Diagnosed with cancer while pregnant

In early February, K Hospital received emergency treatment for Ms. Thao Thi Linh (23 years old, residing in Son La province) in a state of respiratory failure, pneumonia, severe blood clotting disorder and needed intensive monitoring and treatment.

At the time of hospitalization, she had swollen lymph nodes on the left neck and right inguinal lymph nodes, was physically exhausted, had severe anemia, low platelet count, and had difficulty breathing.

Doctors consulted and closely monitored complications of pneumonia, continuously transfused blood and platelets to maintain the life of the patient and fetus.

After more than a week of treatment, by the 27th week, Ms. Linh's health was stable. However, due to the progression of cancer complications, the tumor volume increased, compressing and causing symptoms of intestinal obstruction.

Ms. Linh was monitored by doctors at K Hospital, consulted with Hospital 103, Central Maternity Hospital with the determination to actively treat and make efforts until the last moment, with the hope that the baby would stay in her womb for as long as possible.

By the morning of February 13, the condition of mother and child became complicated. Ms. Linh was diagnosed with partial intestinal obstruction, rectal cancer with liver metastasis; the fetus was 27 weeks and 5 days old and had low amniotic fluid.

Immediately, doctors at K Hospital consulted with the Central Maternity Hospital and together decided to perform an emergency surgery.

Baby Binh An was born, mother and son continue a new journey

The newborn baby boy weighing about 800 grams was born amidst emotional uproar from the two hospital teams and his family. The baby boy, named Binh An, was taken to the Neonatal Center of the Central Maternity Hospital for incubator support, while his mother continued with her cancer surgery.

The son was born according to the mother's wishes, making many doctors emotional, "I hope my child will be healthy and safe, that is already lucky for me" - the mother shared.

With a blank look in his eyes, sitting outside the operating room door, Mr. Sung A Hong (28 years old), Ms. Linh's husband, anxiously waited for news of his wife and son.

"What I hope for most right now is that my wife's surgery is successful, her treatment is successful, and my child is safe. Even though the journey ahead is very long, I hope a miracle will come to my family," Mr. Hong shared.

Doctor Nguyen Tien Duc, head of the emergency resuscitation department of K Hospital, said: "After the coordination of the medical teams of the two hospitals, the surgery ended, Ms. Linh had an emergency cesarean section to deliver the baby, continued to be monitored, evaluated after surgery and given a treatment plan. After 3 weeks, her health has stabilized and she is responding well to the medication."

On the morning of March 5, the two hospitals coordinated to allow Ms. Linh to visit her son after 3 weeks of treatment. After a few minutes of meeting, she was more assured when she saw that her son had weighed 1kg, had rosy skin, and was in stable health.

The young mother has more faith and determination to overcome the long treatment journey ahead.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ca-mo-dac-biet-vua-don-be-so-sinh-vua-dieu-tri-cho-nguoi-me-mac-ung-thu-giai-doan-cuoi-20250305173709272.htm