UAE: Doctors remove watermelon-sized tumour from 5-year-old girl’s scalp

Dubai: A five-year-old Arab girl, who had been suffering from a watermelon-sized scalp tumour, has undergone a life-changing procedure after doctors in Dubai successfully removed the tumour, believed to be the largest of its kind in the world.

The young girl has made a remarkable recovery after doctors at Medcare Hospital Al Safa removed the scalp tumour measuring 20cm by 10cm, which, they said, is one of the largest ever documented in recent medical history, and hence the surgery represents an exceptional medical milestone.

The tumour was a result of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), a genetic disorder that causes benign skin lesions and seizures. TSC and subsequent skin lesions affect approximately one million people worldwide. Each year, around one out of every 6,000 children are born with the condition.

The young girl’s life had been severely impacted by the tumour, causing discomfort and hair loss, which led to her becoming increasingly isolated from her peers. Her condition was unusually severe, far exceeding the typical skin tumour size of 6cm.

Her parents first noticed a small lump on the back of her head when she was just a year old, alongside severe seizures. Over the years, the lesion continued to grow and became ulcerated, causing frequent bleeding and raising the risk of infection.

For years, the enormous tumour interfered with the child’s ability to sleep, play, and interact socially, as her hair loss made her self-conscious and reluctant to engage in community activities. She was unable to attend school and struggled with socialisation due to the physical and emotional toll of the condition.

The lesion was discovered to be firm and immobile during an examination at the hospital. The underlying skin was mostly devoid of hair. To determine intracranial extension, a CT scan and an MRI scan of the head were taken. Given the size and complexity of the tumour, surgery was the only viable option, explained Dr Jamil Al Jamali, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Medcare Hospital Al Safa.

Dr Al Jamali explained that the procedure involved completely removing the tumour, followed by a careful reconstruction of the affected scalp area.

“The tumour was not only large but also positioned in a highly delicate spot. Our challenge was to excise it completely while reconstructing the scalp in a way that would allow natural hair regrowth. We had to plan the surgery meticulously and with precision to avoid future complications and ensure a smooth recovery,” he explained.

Dr Al Jamali and his team used an innovative local flap reconstruction technique to remove the tumour and restore the affected area without any complications. Remarkably, the procedure was done with minimal hair loss, ensuring a full cosmetic and functional recovery.

The young girl recovered quickly and effortlessly, with her seizures under control with medications and surgery area fully healed within weeks. Her hair started growing naturally and continually, and for the first time in years, she felt comfortable in her own skin. Most significantly, she could now attend school and socialise with other children without the fear of humiliation.

Dr Hussam Mohamad Al Trabulsi, Consultant General Surgery and the Medical Director of Medcare Hospital Al Safa stated: “We are proud of our ability to make such life-changing impacts on all of our patients every day.”

Meanwhile, the girls’ parents, who preferred to remain anonymous, found her transformation nothing short of amazing. “Seeing her play, laugh, and live pain-free is something we thought was impossible. We are extremely grateful to Dr Jamil and the team at Medcare Hospital Al Safa for giving our daughter a second chance in life”, said the elated father.