9-year-old boy's 15cm abdominal tumor successfully removed, recovering well

A 9-year-old boy, identified as A-Bao, has successfully recovered after surgery to remove a large tumor from his abdomen. The child had experienced recurrent abdominal pain for over a year, which worsened in early 2026, affecting his eating and sleeping. Doctors at a hospital discovered a significant mass in his upper left abdomen during an examination. Subsequent scans confirmed a 15-centimeter tumor within his abdominal cavity. Due to its large size and invasion of part of the transverse colon, surgeons opted for traditional open surgery to completely remove the lesion. Genetic testing later confirmed the tumor to be an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, specifically with a RANBP2-ALK fusion gene mutation. To prevent recurrence and metastasis, the child is undergoing targeted drug therapy and is on a close follow-up schedule. Doctors report that the boy is recovering well, showing no signs of recurrence three months post-surgery, and his spirit and daily life remain largely unaffected. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are a relatively rare type of pediatric abdominal tumor, classified as intermediate-grade sarcomas with potential for local invasion. They are not linked to family history or lifestyle but result from acquired genetic mutations in tumor cells, commonly affecting infants and adolescents. Symptoms can include persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss, recurrent fever, anemia, or changes in bowel habits. Due to children's limited ability to articulate symptoms, these tumors are often diagnosed when significantly large, potentially leading to life-threatening complications like metastasis, bowel obstruction or rupture, infection, or severe bleeding if left untreated. Diagnosis involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, ultrasound, and X-rays. If an abnormal mass is detected, CT or MRI scans are used to determine its location, size, and extent of invasion. Surgical removal remains the primary treatment, often followed by chemotherapy or other adjuvant therapies based on pathology and genetic testing results.

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The child is recovering well and has shown no recurrence three months after surgery. His spirit and daily life have not been significantly affected, and he continues to be followed up in the outpatient clinic.