Chinese doctors race against clock to save young mother with giant liver tumor in Zanzibar

Just 28 days after giving birth, a young mother in Tanzania’s Zanzibar found herself caught between the joy of new life and the shadow of death.

Her belly, still unusually swollen, led to a shocking diagnosis — a 27-cm giant liver tumor pressing against vital organs and threatening to rupture at any moment.

Faced with this ticking time bomb, the 34th Chinese medical team stationed in Zanzibar stepped in.

“It was one of the most difficult cases we have seen,” said Song Yan, head of the hepatobiliary surgery team. “Not only was the tumor dangerously close to the liver hilum, but the patient had just given birth. Her hormonal and coagulation systems were unstable, and she was still breastfeeding. Every decision had to consider both mother and child.”

Rather than rushing to the operating table, the team activated a multidisciplinary consultation mechanism.

Surgeons, obstetricians, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians gathered to make a plan, not just for surgery, but for what would follow: how to safely stop breastfeeding, evaluate the mother’s recovery, and ensure her newborn would receive proper nutrition.

When the day came, Song led the surgical team, with other doctors overseeing anesthesia and assisting. Inside an operating room equipped with only bare essentials, they worked with precision, successfully removing the massive tumor with minimal bleeding and no major complications.

The patient’s first words after waking brought tears to the room: “I thought I would never be able to feed my baby again. It was the Chinese doctors who gave me another chance to be a mother.”

The Chinese team’s care even extended beyond the operating room. They remained by the patient’s side through her recovery, working closely with local obstetricians to craft a postpartum care plan and gradually reintroduce nutrition strategies for the infant.

Their efforts also extended beyond the ward. Using this case as a platform, they advocated for greater awareness of prenatal care and early screening for women in Zanzibar. “We hope no more mothers have to face this kind of danger in silence,” said Song.

The case showcased not only China’s medical expertise but also its deep commitment to compassionate care. “Medical aid is not only about transferring skills,” the Chinese doctors said. “It is about responsibility and respect for life.”

Xinhua