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Girl battles giant tumour formed after pricking gum – PHOTO


A young woman with a nearly 11 centimeter tumour that has deformed the left side of her face will receive treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) free of charge.

Fumiah Mwanzia Lenjoe, 21, from Magadi, Kajiado County, has a huge tumuor emanating from her jaw, which has affected her tongue and upper jaw and has extended below her left eye.

She cannot eat food but only takes fluids.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

SWELLING IN GUM

It all started last year with a swelling in her gum, which she pricked. It bled out and this heralded the beginning of the growth that she now hopes will be treated at the national referral hospital.

“Her family started looking for medical help and they left their home in Shombole, in Magadi, to a hospital in Waso, Tanzania, but was sent to Arusha and Moshi for further treatment.

Eventually, she was operated on in Dar es Salaam at Muhimbili National Hospital,” her guardian John Mashal told Nation.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

She arrived at KNH on Thursday at 11am where she was received by Health Cabinet Secretary Cleopa Mailu and Dr Bernard Githae, KNH Director Clinical Services.

Ms Lenjoe was then wheeled to Ward 5 where was admitted and is currently receiving specialized care.

TUMOUR GROWING FAST

According to Dr Edwin Rono, a Maxillofacial (jaws and face) Surgeon at KNH, who will attend to Ms Lenjoe, the tumour is growing fast and is blocking her air ways. He suspects it to be cancer of the muscle, also called Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma.

PHOTO | COURTESY
PHOTO | COURTESY

Dr Rono explained: “However, this will be confirmed in two to three days as she is anaemic and very dehydrated and we need to correct these first before we take the next steps. Once we confirm it is cancer, she will go through surgery and combine it with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”

She will also have a tube inserted in her neck to assist in her breathing, while another line will be connected to her heart to administer drugs.