Thursday July 13, 2006

 

By G.C. TAN

ALOR STAR: Doctors at Fuda Cancer Hospital (FCH) in Guangzhou, China, will carry out surgery to remove the whole facial tumour of the Malaysian ‘elephant girl’ Hong Siew Hui on Monday.

They arrived at this decision after a thorough study on the progress of Siew Hui's two previous treatments.

SUPPORT FROM MUM: Siew Hui with her birthday present from her mother Goh
Jit Yang (left) at the Fuda Cancer Hospital in Guangzhou, China. — Picture courtesy of
Fuda Cancer Hospital

Siew Hui, 18, an SPM school leaver of Taman Bersatu, Simpang Empat, here has been warded at the hospital since she and her mother Goh Jit Yang, 58, arrived at the hospital on May 15.

Last month, she underwent the first stage of treatment where one-third of the tumour was frozen by cryosurgery therapy. She had a second treatment on June 29.

The hospital's vice-president Associate Prof Dr Niu Li-Zhi, who will lead the operation team to remove the tumour, said: “We expect to take about 12 hours. The operation is very complicated.

“The first and second stages of surgery had helped to damage half of the tissues in the tumour. It will help to reduce excessive bleeding during the coming surgery.”

Dr Niu said doctors would try their best but could not guarantee 100% success.

“The potential of excessive bleeding is there. Siew Hui’s tumour has trespassed and infected the surrounding area of her face such as head, bone and blood vessels near the area,” he said.

Siew Hui turned 18 last Sunday.