DOCTORS DISCOVERED A 9-CENTIMETER TUMOR BEFORE BABY ISSA WAS BORN — AN UNPRECEDENTED TREATMENT GAVE HIM A CHANCE

A Frightening Discovery Late in Pregnancy

When Viviane was in the final weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound revealed something unexpected. Her unborn baby, Issa, had a rapidly growing vascular tumor measuring about 9 centimeters in the head and neck area.

The diagnosis was Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition associated with certain vascular tumors. The condition can cause a severe drop in platelets, the blood components needed for clotting, putting the baby at risk of dangerous bleeding and complications before birth.

For Viviane and her partner, Sina, the news was devastating. They were suddenly facing serious questions about their baby’s survival and how he could safely be delivered.

The family wanted to explore every possible option. Their medical team began consulting specialists to determine whether treatment could be started before Issa was born.

A Treatment Before His First Breath

The doctors recommended an unusual approach: sirolimus, a medication traditionally used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation, would be given to Issa’s mother during pregnancy.

Although sirolimus had previously been used before birth for certain vascular malformations, Issa’s case was unprecedented for this particular syndrome. The treatment was started when Viviane was 32 weeks pregnant, under the guidance of a multidisciplinary medical team.

The medication crossed the placenta and helped stabilize the rapidly growing tumor. Doctors carefully monitored the treatment and weighed its potential benefits against the possible risks to both mother and baby.

For the family, the decision involved uncertainty, but they wanted to give their son every reasonable chance. The treatment allowed the pregnancy to continue while the medical team prepared for his delivery.

Preparing for a High-Risk Birth

A tumor in the head and neck can create serious challenges during delivery, particularly if it interferes with a newborn’s airway. Issa’s doctors therefore planned his birth carefully, bringing together specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, gynecology, ear, nose and throat care, and pediatric respiratory care.

Rather than delivering him prematurely, the team aimed to allow the pregnancy to continue until Issa could safely breathe on his own. A cesarean section was scheduled for 39 weeks.

On November 14, 2025, Issa was born. The medical team was ready to intervene if his airway became obstructed, but the newborn did not need to be intubated.

For his parents, hearing their baby’s first cry brought enormous relief after weeks of fear and careful planning.

A Visible Tumor, but a More Stable Condition

Issa remained under close medical observation after birth. He was initially cared for in Strasbourg before returning to the Mulhouse area, where his family lives, for ongoing follow-up.

At the time of the February 2026 report, the mass was still visible on the lower part of his face, but it had stabilized. Issa continued taking sirolimus and attended regular medical appointments.

Doctors reported encouraging signs: he was feeding well, breathing without difficulty and developing appropriately for his age. At three months old, he was described as alert and smiling during a hospital check-up.

His journey was not over, and continued treatment and monitoring remained necessary. Stabilization did not mean the tumor had disappeared, but it represented a major step forward for a baby whose condition had posed a serious threat before birth.

What Issa’s Story Could Mean for Other Families

Issa’s case represents a significant development in the treatment of severe fetal vascular tumors. It showed that, in carefully selected circumstances, medication administered to a pregnant mother may help stabilize a dangerous condition before delivery.

Specialists stressed that this approach requires careful assessment by an experienced multidisciplinary team. The right treatment depends on the location and size of the tumor, the baby’s condition, and the potential risks to the mother and child.

For Viviane and Sina, the most important result was that their son could come home and continue growing under medical supervision. They had faced an alarming diagnosis and an uncertain pregnancy, but treatment before birth gave Issa an opportunity to begin life outside the womb.

His story is a reminder of how medical research and coordinated specialist care can create new possibilities for families facing rare and life-threatening conditions—even before their babies take their first breath.

Source: Le Monde, “Baby treated in utero for rare vascular tumor in medical first,” February 17, 2026; Hospices Civils de Lyon, “Syndrome de Kasabach-Merritt: un traitement prénatal innovant sauve un nouveau-né,” updated April 9, 2026.