Sina is a 38-year-old farmer who is married with two daughters. He works as a construction worker to earn extra money to support his family, and enjoys fishing and picking beans in his free time.
Sina developed a lipoma, a benign tumor of fatty tissue, on the back of his neck years ago. Due to his tumor, Sina experiences chronic pain and discomfort. The $224 will fund the removal of the lipoma, scheduled for May 23, and help Sina feel comfortable again.
Sina underwent a tumor removal.
Sina’s treatment for his neck went well. Following the procedure, he was given pain medication to take as needed. He does not experience any pain. Sina feels more comfortable than before.
Sina says, “My neck feels better and my wounds are healed. I don’t feel any pain.”
Sina was submitted by Lindsay Bownik, Stakeholder Relations Officer at Children's Surgical Centre.
Sina received treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
Sina's profile was published to start raising funds.
Sina's treatment was fully funded.
What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?
Patients will present with a growing mass. Depending on its location, the mass may cause pain and difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Foreign bodies include shrapnel and other objects that do not belong in the human body. Masses, cysts, and tumors are abnormal tissue growths.
What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?
Disturbances from foreign bodies/masses/cysts/tumors can be cosmetic, limit function, cause pain, and damage internal organs.
What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?
Foreign bodies, such as shrapnel from landmines, are more common in Cambodia than the United States, especially in rural areas. It is estimated that there may be as many as four to six million mines and other pieces of unexploded ordnance in Cambodia.
What does the treatment process look like?
If the foreign body/mass/cyst/tumor is superficial, the removal procedure can be done under local anesthesia. Removal of deeper objects or large tumors requires general anesthesia.
What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?
This treatment improves a patient's appearance and function, reduces pain, and limits risk of damage to other body parts.
What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?
Risks are minor but depend on the site, size, and aggressiveness of the foreign body/mass/cyst/tumor.
How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?
Simple removal procedures can be done at local district or provincial hospitals, but patients must pay. Patients come to CSC because they cannot afford the procedure at their local hospital.
What are the alternatives to this treatment?
For most masses, there are no alternatives. For aggressive tumors, patients may undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy to reduce the tumor.