From Pea-Sized to Tennis Ball: UK Teen Diagnosed with Rare Cancer

A teenage girl in the UK was diagnosed with a rare cancer after a pea-sized lump that emerged on her cheek grew to the size of a Tennis ball within weeks.

Gaby Maurice is a 16-year-old girl from the UK. In 2021, her mother took her to a dentist when a pea-sized lump was noticed in her right cheek. Initially, the doctors assumed the lump was related to an infection in her teeth. The dentist sent her home with antibiotics. But, within weeks the pea-sized mass that appeared on Gaby’s right cheek developed to the size of a tennis ball.

As the swelling increased, Gaby was instructed to consult a General Practitioner (GP). After a detailed examination that included an ultrasound and biopsy, Gaby was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer.

She was treated with chemotherapy. Gaby said that it was like a pea at first, but it was growing bigger and bigger every single day. She said the lump started at the top and then it started spreading down her face and after six weeks it was the size of a tennis ball.

Along with chemo, she also underwent a 14-hour surgery to remove the entire tumor, proton beam therapy (a type of radiotherapy), and maintenance chemotherapy. She experienced the side effects of chemotherapy such as exhaustion, nausea, and hair loss. Gaby talking about her hair said that she had long blonde hair and it was like her comfort blanket and said that she loved her hair and styling it, so it was hard, but she knew it was going to grow back eventually.

Talking about her cancer diagnosis Gaby said that she is proud of her scars because it shows what she's been through. Despite the fact she still requires regular checkups and scans. This teenage girl goes back to school and aspires to become a children's oncology nurse.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in soft tissue (supports and connects organs and other parts of the body). It usually begins in muscle tissue.

Despite the fact, that Rhabdomyosarcoma can begin anywhere in the body it more possibly begins in the neck and head area, urinary tract, reproductive system, and arms and legs. The treatment for this condition involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

References:

1.   https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rhabdomyosarcoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20390962

(Input from various sources) 

(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina/MSM)