6-year old Pakistani kid successfully treated for brainstem tumor in China.

BEIJING -- A 6-year old Pakistani child has been successfully treated for brainstem tumor at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University (ZNWU) in China.

"Thank you so much! Chinese doctors and nurses are so nice. Your efforts mean a lot to my family," said Muhammad Arshad, the father of Arshad Jr who was diagnosed with brainstem tumor in the beginning of 2022.

According to China Economic Net, Arshad, who is a university teacher in Islamabad, was worried about his son as Pakistani doctors were uncertain about the success of operation.

Two of his friends, with whom he established friendship while pursuing his doctoral degree on cognitive science at Tsinghua University, China, recommended Professor Chen Jincao, a top expert on neurosurgery and also chief physician of ZNWU, for his son's treatment.

Arshad took his son and wife to Wuhan, where after the quarantine due to COVID-19, Arshad Jr. was admitted to ZNWU on May 11, 2022.

Professor Chen had a consultation with experts from 10 departments, including pediatrics, oncology and chemoradiotherapy to devise the best treatment plan for Arshad Jr. However, the test results of Arshad Jr were not very good.

"The tumor has invaded 80 percent of brainstem, which is rare," said Professor Chen. "It means the following surgery will be difficult and it also presents a tough challenge to the medical team."

However, Arshad expressed complete trust in Professor Chen and gave him a go ahead.

On May 17, Professor Chen and his teammates took a "three in one" surgery for Arshad Jr., which consisted of brainstem lesion resection, decompressive craniectomy and lateral ventricle intraperitoneal shunt.

The surgery lasted for six hours, which not only got the expected goal but also laid a foundation for the following treatment, said Xu Chengshi, an associate chief physician of neurosurgery department, and a member of the medical team for Arshad Jr.

After the operation, Arshad Jr was treated in the ICU for seven days, and then he was transferred to the general ward.

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