Home to Russia with Love
In April 2013, little Daria Rozhkova of Russia’s Ryazanskaya
region and her family were fresh out of hope. Diagnosed
with Lynch Syndrome, a genetic disorder that increases the
risk of colorectal cancer, the child had undergone numerous
surgeries and chemotherapy treatments aimed at curbing
cancerous growths in her colon. Yet, after each exhaustive
intervention, the cancer would return. Finally, the Russian
doctors advised they could offer no hope that additional
treatment would improve the child’s outlook and that
Daria likely had but six months to live.
Fortunately, hope is a commodity in which Miami Children’s
Hospital specializes. And thanks to a novel procedure
and the collaboration of a 50-member multispecialty care
team at MCH, Daria and her family returned home to their
native country in October with big smiles, a bright future for
Daria, and memories of new friendships forged at the famed
children’s hospital.
“Daria is a brave little girl with a family who would not give
up on her, “ said Dr. Andrea Maggioni, Medical Director of
Global Health at Miami Children’s, who coordinated the MCH
care team, including surgeons, pediatric subspecialists,
nurses and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit staff. “The
teamwork has been amazing and it has been our privilege
to provide this family with the next generation of treatment.”
On September 18, a surgical team led by Dr. Cathy Burnweit,
Chief of Pediatric Surgery at MCH, performed a marathon
19-hour hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC)
or “heated chemotherapy” procedure that has only been
used for pediatric patients at a handful of centers within
the U.S. Miami Children’s became the second hospital in
the country to offer the pediatric procedure in 2011.
After removing the cancerous tissue, Dr. Burnweit and
her team introduced heated chemotherapy directly into
the child’s abdomen. This treatment helps destroy tiny
cancer cells that may linger following tumor removal
and inhibit re-growth. “Daria has made a remarkable
recovery after a challenging treatment. Our hopes are
high that this intervention will offer her a healthy future,”
said Dr. Burnweit.
“Our work with Daria
is a perfect example
of what Miami Children’s
Hospital does best.
We reach beyond borders
and across cultures to help
children in need. We wish
Daria and her family
every blessing as they
return home to resume
their lives.”
Dr. Deise Granado-Villar,
Senior Vice President of
Medical Affairs/Chief Medical Officer
Miami Children’s Hospital
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