Pioneering surgery helps teenager overcome cancer op
Published Date:
29 August 2008
A TEENAGE cancer patient from West Yorkshire has successfully undergone pioneering surgery to rebuild his shoulder using his elbow.
Tom Lemm, 15, is thought to be the first person in Britain to undergo the seven-hour procedure, which took place at Leeds General Infirmary.
The teenager, from Pontefract, had his left arm amputated because of a tumour at the top of it. Medics created a new shoulder out of tissue and muscle from his lost elbow, which was unaffected by the tumour.
At the same time the surgical team, led by Professor Simon Kay, inserted a metal support plate in Tom's collar bone which means he will be able to wear a false arm.
Tom, who has battled with cancer for three years, said: "I was very upset at losing my arm but then the prof told me what he planned to do.
"I hope the fact it has worked for me gives others hope."
The full article contains 186 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
29 August 2008 11:20 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Yorkshire
