Boy has massive tumour removed after 12-hour surgery

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An 11-year-old Mexican boy who had been suffering from a massive tumour and who drew international attention after U.S. Homeland Security Investigations helped him get treatment in New Mexico had the growth removed after a long surgery, a New Mexico church said Tuesday.

In a statement, Kristean Alcocer of the First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho said the boy underwent surgery Monday at the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital to remove the tumour from his neck, shoulder and torso area.

The surgery lasted more than 12 hours and involved 25 medical professionals, Alcocer said.

“The road to recovery will be long, and many challenges still lie ahead for this young boy,” said Alcocer, who is housing the boy while he receives treatment.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The road to recovery will be long, and many challenges still lie ahead for this young boy," said Alcocer, who is housing the boy while he receives treatment.

In July 2012, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations assisted in picking up the boy and his parents from a neighbourhood in Ciudad Juarez — one of the deadliest cities in the world because of the presence of drug cartels.

Federal agents helped the family seek care for the boy after First Baptist Church members saw him during a missionary visit.

Federal officials wanted to keep the boy’s identity secret because his family still lives in Ciudad Juarez.

After stories and images of the boy went viral, First Baptist Church officials reported a jump in donations to help him raise money for the surgeries.

The boy was diagnosed with venous lymphangioma on his shoulder, and he was told by doctors at the University of New Mexico Hospital that he must undergo a series of surgeries and treatments to remove the huge fluid buildup.

For the past two years, the church has raised money for the boy, who is now living in Rio Rancho with Alcocer.

The boy’s plight drew support from New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, who asked federal officials to extend his stay in the U.S. so he could continue treatment.

He still needs surgeries to reconstruct his shoulder bone and to remove excessive skin, officials said.