‘It puts your mind at ease being able to be treated at a hospital where they speak your language’

In Argentina, in June 2023, Manu was diagnosed with an immature teratoma with a cancerous component, which had spread through his cheekbone to his nose. He underwent surgery in his home country to remove the tumour. 

However, in late 2023, staff treating the boy detected remnants of the germ cell tumour, and he was prescribed chemotherapy treatment. This treatment managed to reduce the size of the tumour, but it was unable to completely eliminate it. It was then that his family began to seek second opinions from experts around the world. 

His family got in touch with the International Department at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, who set up several videocalls with specialists in Oncology (Dr Jaume Mora) and maxillofacial surgery (Dr Josep Rubio). 

Manu's father, Mauro, recalls that ‘the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital gave us the most convincing option, because they suggested proton beam therapy after surgery. Plus, our son would be treated by a multidisciplinary team of specialists all working together across departments (Surgery, Neuropedagogy, Ophthalmology, etc.) to guarantee his wellbeing. That is why, after going over the proposed treatment plan, we were in Barcelona in just 15 days.’

Before the operation, surgeons carried out a virtual simulation, designing 3D surgical guides to bring the computer-simulated procedure to life and ensure a more precise operation in theatre. ‘We were able to remove the entire tumour’, explains Dr Rubio, ‘and use a custom 3D-printed prosthetic to reconstruct his jaw, cheekbone and orbital floor. We ensured removal of the tumour in its entirety while in theatre, as well as guaranteed a precise reconstruction, using an intraoperative CT C-arm.’

The operation was a complete success, and the patient healed very quickly. In just ten days, he was discharged from hospital. Later, Manu received radiotherapy and proton beam therapy, which had no secondary effects. 

Manu feels he has coped quite well with the situation: ‘I was never in pain and I got better very quickly. I was already walking in just five days, and I could eat normally straight away. I was never bored at the hospital because I could get out of bed and go for a walk around, go to the play rooms, do different activities, play with the dogs...’.

Mauro, his father, highlights that ‘everything is designed for the children at the hospital, and this helps them recover faster.’ He adds that ‘another huge factor for us is the language, because it's not the same when a nurse tells a joke in English instead of Spanish.’

Mauro notes that everything turned out the way doctors had said it would. 

Manu and his family have already returned home to Argentina and resumed their normal life. Now they have to attend regular remote follow-up appointments with SJD doctors. Later down the line, they will come back to Barcelona for a full check-up.