A groundbreaking medical intervention in China’s remote southwestern region has dramatically transformed the life of a 62-year-old patient suffering from a rare combination of serious health conditions. Mr. Zha, a resident of Malipo county in Yunnan’s Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, has experienced remarkable improvement after Shanghai-based surgeons successfully removed a massive 1.3-kilogram tumor from his neck.
The patient had been battling severe respiratory complications caused by Madelung’s disease—an uncommon disorder characterized by symmetric fat deposits—further complicated by advanced laryngeal cancer. His condition had progressively worsened, with local medical practitioners struggling to provide effective treatment as his neck swelled to an alarming size, severely constricting his airway.
The turning point came in mid-October when a specialized medical team from Shanghai’s prestigious Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University arrived in Wenshan as part of a national healthcare initiative. Dr. Xu Chengzhi, who led the surgical intervention, described the critical condition upon initial examination: ‘During our free medical consultation on October 20, we encountered a patient whose neck had expanded to bucket-like proportions, with his airway compressed to a narrow slit.’
This medical mission represents a broader national effort orchestrated by China’s National Health Commission. Since July, over 80 mobile medical teams have been deployed to underserved regions with limited healthcare infrastructure. The three-week program in Wenshan combined direct patient care with knowledge transfer, allowing Shanghai’s medical experts to both treat complex cases and enhance local medical capabilities through training and collaboration.
Following the intricate surgery, Mr. Zha reported immediate relief and significantly improved breathing capacity, marking a profound enhancement in his quality of life despite necessary postoperative precautions.