A six-year-old boy in Shanghai has undergone life-saving surgery after doctors discovered a large tumour lodged in his throat, which was later identified as rare tissue linked to an undeveloped twin, according to local reports.
The child, identified as Xiao Liang (pseudonym), was brought to hospital after his mother noticed persistent and unusually loud snoring that gradually worsened over six months. Despite attempts to adjust his sleeping position, the symptoms continued. She also observed changes in his eating habits, with the boy only able to tolerate soft foods such as porridge and noodles.
Initial medical checks suggested a possible enlarged adenoid, but further examinations revealed a far more serious condition. Doctors found a tumour roughly the size of a chicken egg situated in the boy’s pharynx. Due to the severity of the case, the family was referred to a specialist children’s hospital in Shanghai for advanced treatment.
Medical assessments showed that the growth had nearly blocked the child’s airway, leaving only a narrow passage for breathing. Experts warned that without urgent intervention, the condition could have led to life-threatening suffocation.
Doctors later diagnosed the mass as a teratoma, a type of germ cell tumour. In a rare finding, specialists explained that the tissue contained elements such as fat and cartilage, suggesting it may have originated from an incompletely developed twin that failed to form normally during early development.
A surgical team from the ENT, anaesthesiology and intensive care departments worked together to plan a high-risk operation. Given the tumour’s proximity to major blood vessels in the neck, the procedure required extreme precision and careful coordination.
After a three-hour operation performed through the mouth with endoscopic assistance, doctors successfully removed the entire tumour. The child recovered well and was reported to be in stable condition within five days, with a noticeable improvement in appetite.
Medical experts have since reminded parents to seek early consultation if children show persistent severe snoring, disrupted sleep, or abnormal breathing patterns, as these may indicate serious airway obstruction requiring prompt medical attention.
