MUSCAT : A medical team at the Royal Hospital has achieved a rare surgical success after removing a virulent musculoskeletal cancer tumor that had overtaken nearly 80% of a young child’s liver and spread into the abdominal wall, colon, and surrounding organs. The tumor, one of the most aggressive and rapidly spreading malignant cancers found in children, was initially considered inoperable due to its sheer size and proximity to vital structures.

Dr. Al-Warith bin Ahmed Al-Hashimi, Consultant of Liver and Pancreas Surgery and Transplantation and Head of the Organ Transplantation Department, told the Oman News Agency that preserving even a small portion of healthy liver tissue was the greatest challenge. “Our priority was to maintain the vital functions of the liver and neighboring organs. The tumor occupied most of the liver, so identifying and safeguarding the remaining healthy part was critical,” he said.

The child’s treatment began with pre-chemotherapy, which successfully shrank the tumor enough to allow surgical intervention. Advanced imaging techniques were then used to map vital blood vessels feeding the remaining healthy liver tissue, enabling surgeons to proceed with precision. Throughout the procedure, the surgical and anesthesia teams maintained close monitoring of blood flow and overall body functions, following international protocols for complex liver surgeries.

Modern surgical techniques were employed during resection to minimize bleeding and protect bile ducts, ensuring the remnant liver could regain its vital functions. The operation involved removing the affected portion of the liver, the right side of the colon, and the involved section of the abdominal wall.

Dr. Al-Hashimi noted that this type of musculoskeletal tumor is exceptionally rare in children and typically appears without any early symptoms or known genetic causes, making early detection difficult. “Its sudden onset and rapid spread make accurate diagnosis and surgical intervention essential,” he explained.

He added that the success of this surgery reinforces the Royal Hospital’s position as a leading center for treating complex and rare liver tumors in children. The hospital’s advanced infrastructure, integrated treatment pathways, and multidisciplinary approach, combining chemotherapy, surgery, and comprehensive post-operative care, played a key role in the outcome.

The medical team emphasized that the coordinated plan, from chemotherapy to meticulous surgical planning using advanced radiology, was instrumental in turning an initially inoperable case into a fully successful intervention.

The child has now begun a steady recovery and remains under close medical supervision as part of ongoing treatment according to international standards.

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