The life-and-death journey of a mother and child with terminal cancer
The mother Thao Thi Linh (23 years old, Son La) was hospitalized at 26th week of pregnancy in critical condition, facing terminal rectal cancer.
When admitted to the Emergency Resuscitation Department of Hospital K, Ms. Linh was in a state of respiratory failure, pneumonia, and severe blood clotting disorder. The body was exhausted, metastatic kidneys appeared, accompanied by prolonged pain. Doctors immediately consulted to find the best treatment plan, both to save the mother's life and to try to prolong the fetal time in the mother's womb.
Prof. Dr. Le Van Quang, Director of K Hospital, said that the doctors consulted and closely monitored complications of pneumonia, continuously blood and platelets were given to keep the patient and fetus safe. After more than a week of treatment, by the 27th week, the patient was controlled stably, but due to the progression of cancer complications, the tumor volume increased, compressed, causing symptoms of intestinal obstruction. Meanwhile, the fetus suffered from severe exhaustion. Keeping the baby in the womb for another day is precious, but the risk of complications threatening the lives of both mother and baby is increasing.
Faced with the critical situation, doctors at the two hospitals decided to perform a "2 in first" surgery: saving the life of the fetus and treating the condition of blocked intestines for the mother.
A breathless moment in the operating room
All preparations are carried out as urgently and carefully as possible. The surgery took place on the morning of February 13, 2025 with the coordination of leading doctors from K Hospital and the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. Each option is carefully calculated to ensure maximum safety.
The moment the 800-gram boy cried while being born in the operating room, the entire surgical team burst into emotion. The baby was named Binh An and immediately transferred to the Neonatal Center of the Central Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital for special care. Meanwhile, Ms. Linh continued surgery to treat cancer.
Associate Professor, Dr. Pham Van Binh, Deputy Professional Director of K Hospital, said: "The medical team must assess the disease, develop a suitable pathology, both controlling respiratory failure, pneumonia, and blood clotting disorder, and ensuring safe fetal development. The abscesses caused pain, which poses a risk of lung blockage, so timely intervention is needed. For nearly two weeks, the patient has received special care in terms of nutrition, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. However, the disease progresses rapidly, causing half-ostalric obstruction, and if not operated on, it will be dangerous for both mother and child, so surgery is the optimal option to ensure safety".
After the surgery, Ms. Linh was placed on an artificial anastomach and continued to be treated with chemotherapy. On March 5, despite her poor health, after three weeks, she was able to visit her son. Seeing Binh An - now weighing 1kg, her skin is rosy - the young mother seems to have more motivation to fight the disease.
