A pregnant woman in the United States was unaware that her common cough symptoms were related to a life-threatening large tumor. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
Thanks to timely diagnosis and collaborative medical assistance, the lives of the mother and her unborn child were saved. 26-year-old MaKenna was preparing to give birth to her third child.
In the last months of pregnancy, severe coughing and shortness of breath began to disturb her health. Initially, these symptoms were assessed as a normal condition related to pregnancy.
Every time she coughed, she experienced shortness of breath and a feeling of nausea, which complicated her daily life. As the situation worsened, doctors conducted a deeper examination and identified a tumor in the chest near the heart.
This tumor had completely blocked the right pulmonary artery. Specialists at Memorial Hospital in Chicago described this as a unique case.
Cardiac surgeon Kris Mehta considers this situation an extraordinary occurrence that happens once every few years. Due to pregnancy, the woman's lungs were already under pressure, and the presence of such a large tumor could lead to respiratory failure and a heart attack.
In order to save her life, an emergency cesarean operation was performed, and a healthy baby was born. After the delivery, the mother's condition improved, and the main focus was on removing the tumor.
According to biopsy results, MaKenna was suffering from stage 3 melanoma skin cancer. The focus on the skin had entered the body and developed into a tumor affecting the right lung near the heart, the main pulmonary artery, and lymph nodes.
Doctors initially managed to reduce the tumor size by 30 percent with immunotherapy. Then, a complex and risky operation was performed in the heart and lung area.
MaKenna's right lung, the affected part of the pulmonary artery, and lymph nodes were removed. Post-operative scans showed no other spread of the tumor, and the disease is assessed as stable.
Currently, MaKenna is in the process of physical and mental recovery. Although she fears heavy memories and an uncertain future, she draws strength from her son and husband.
Her son is healthy and happy, and MaKenna will continue her immunotherapy course for a year.
