Lymphangioma

Latest Update on Wei Senbao   We Have a  Diagnosis    Lymphangioma     I had to look it up online. This is what I found.     "A cystic hygroma is a mass that commonly occurs in the head and neck area. It is a birth defect. Treatment involves complete removal of the abnormal tissue whenever possible. However, cystic hygromas can often invade other neck structures, making this impossible.   A cystic hygroma occurs as the baby grows in the womb. It forms from pieces of material that carry fluid and white blood cells. Such material is called embryonic lymphatic tissue. After birth, a cystic hygroma usually looks like a soft bulge under the skin. The cyst may not be recognized at birth. It typically grows as the child does.   The outlook is good if surgery can totally remove the abnormal tissue. In cases where complete removal is not possible, the cystic hygroma commonly returns. The outcome may also depend on what other chromosomal abnormalities or birth defects, if any, are present."   "Lymphangiomas represent hamartomatous malformations with no risk of malignant transformation. In the case of cystic hygroma, total surgical excision is appropriate to prevent complications such as respiratory compromise, aspiration, and infections in critical areas, such as the neck. Lymphangiomas have a strong tendency for local recurrence unless they are completely excised. Recurrent episodes of cellulitis and minor bleeding are not uncommon. The reason that these embryonic lymph sacs remain disconnected from the rest of the lymphatic system is not known. "   How to Give?   Everyone wants to help him. We just need to consider how best to do it.  Lets give for his treatment. He is such a cute child.  How would you feel if he was your son or grandson?    Donations are needed to make sure he gets the best of care.   In Taiwan, David Hsieh has already raised over $560 and will wire it to China. You can give through him by contacting his e-mail.   Blessing Hands has a web page where no fee will be charged at this link.     In China  you can contact Mandy Ma at this e-mail    Facebook Cause on my page.

Current Status of Wei and his Mother

It has been decided to not do surgery immediately while the best advice and situation can be found. Wei and his mom are taking the train back to Nanning  presently. The most skilled surgeon in this area at Children's Hospital was out of town for two weeks. A skilled American surgeon had just left to go back to the US.     Advisors and doctors have suggested possible  treatments and hospitals, even in the USA. They seem to think his case is very rare and perhaps dangerous or hard to do surgery on, so we need the most skilled doctors to be on his case.   Some recommend intervention early or talk of scar tissue, while others say the cyst is large because of the biopsies leaking blood into the cyst.     Sclerotherapy, "a procedure used to treat blood vessels or blood vessel malformations (vascular malformations) and also those of the lymphatic system" has been suggested by one American doctor as something to consider. Injecting the unwanted veins with a sclerosing solution causes the target vein to immediately shrink, and then dissolve over a period of weeks as the body naturally absorbs the treated vein.   We hope to share copies of the actual MRI, letting other doctors review them. Medical records in China are kept by the patients not by doctors. Some want to send him to Shanghai for a second evaluation and treatment by doctors who specialize in this problem and others like it.