A TINY LUMP APPEARED IN HER BABY’S CHEEK — TEN WEEKS LATER, DOCTORS DISCOVERED A RARE TUMOR THAT WOULD NOT STOP GROWING

When Vaida was just four months old, her grandfather noticed something unusual about her left cheek.

Beneath the skin was a small lump that felt almost like a marble.

Her mother, Erinn, immediately began searching for answers. But what initially seemed like a minor swelling became the beginning of a frightening medical journey.

For ten weeks, the family visited specialists and underwent examinations before finally learning what was growing inside their little girl’s face.

A Small Lump That Doctors Struggled to Identify

The swelling first appeared in March 2020, around the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaida’s pediatrician ordered an ultrasound, but the results did not provide a clear diagnosis.

The family was referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist, followed by another pediatric specialist.

An MRI and several biopsies were performed, yet the answers remained uncertain.

Eventually, Vaida underwent surgery, and doctors identified the growth as a desmoid tumor.

A Rare Tumor in an Unusual Location

Desmoid tumors are noncancerous growths that develop in connective tissue.

Although they do not spread to distant parts of the body like malignant cancers, they can grow aggressively into nearby tissues.

They are also uncommon in young children, and the cheek is a particularly unusual location.

In Vaida’s case, the tumor threatened the muscles and other structures responsible for normal facial movement.

Without effective treatment, it could potentially affect her ability to eat and alter the appearance of her face.

Six Weeks After Surgery, the Tumor Returned

Vaida underwent her first tumor-removal operation in Pittsburgh and began oral chemotherapy.

But the family’s relief was short-lived.

Within just six weeks, the tumor had grown back.

Erinn was terrified by the possibility that her daughter might face repeated operations or permanent facial damage.

Determined to find another approach, she contacted Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for a second opinion.

A Different Approach to Protect Her Face

At CHOP, Vaida was evaluated by pediatric oncologist Dr. Vandana Batra and craniofacial surgeon Dr. Scott Bartlett.

The medical team developed a plan that included cryotherapy, a procedure designed to freeze and damage tumor tissue before surgery.

Interventional radiologist Dr. Michael Acord performed the treatment.

Dr. Bartlett then operated to remove as much of the remaining tumor as possible while protecting important facial structures.

The surgery was especially challenging because desmoid tumors can extend into surrounding tissues through small, infiltrating strands.

Doctors Worked to Preserve Her Smile

Some muscles affected by the tumor had to be removed during the operation.

Despite this, Vaida retained more facial function than her medical team had initially expected.

She could still drink through a straw and did not require speech therapy at the time of the hospital’s report.

For her family, these everyday abilities represented an enormous milestone.

A Little Girl With a Long Road Ahead

When CHOP shared her story, Vaida was two years old and receiving a planned yearlong course of chemotherapy.

Her doctors continued working toward a long-term treatment strategy to control the tumor and reduce the risk of further growth.

Her mother described her as an energetic, intelligent little girl who continued enjoying childhood despite everything she had endured.

Vaida’s journey was not a story of an instant cure. It was a story of persistence, specialized medical care and the importance of protecting a child’s quality of life while treating a rare condition.

Source: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, “Desmoid Tumor: Vaida’s Story.”