Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Baby's Blemish Misdiagnosed as Birthmark, Revealed as Rare Tumor
A baby named Bronte had what looked like a birthmark on her face that turned out to be a rare, fast-growing tumor called KHE.
At first, doctors thought it was harmless, but it started to grow and pushed her ear out.
This tumor also caused a dangerous blood condition called KMP, which makes it hard for her blood to clot.
Bronte's mom pushed doctors to find out what was wrong.
Now, Bronte needs medicine to help her and will have to take it for the rest of her life.
A baby girl, Bronte, was initially misdiagnosed with a birthmark but later found to have a rare tumor.
The tumor, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE), is an aggressive vascular tumor that caused Bronte's ear to protrude.
Bronte also developed Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP), a life-threatening condition affecting blood clotting.
Doctors diagnosed the tumor through an MRI after the baby's mother, Natalie Brooks, pushed for further investigation.
Bronte will require lifelong medication due to the tumor's aggressive nature and the complications it caused.
- Who
- Bronte, a baby girl, was affected by the tumor; her mother is Natalie Brooks.
- What
- Baby Bronte was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive vascular tumor called kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE).
- When
- The tumor was initially noticed in 2024 and fully diagnosed after eight months.
- Where
- Bronte spent nearly two months in a hospital in Lancaster.
- Why
- The cause of the tumor, KHE, is unknown by experts.
Doctors' Initial Assessment
Mother's Perspective
Initial Diagnosis vs. Parental Concerns
Doctors' Initial Assessment
The initial assessment was that the mark was harmless, resembling a birthmark.
Mother's Perspective
The mother disagreed with the initial assessment due to the rapid growth and changes in the mark.
- Tumor Name
- Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE)
- Affected Individual
- Bronte
- Mother's Name
- Natalie Brooks
- Related Condition
- Kasabach-Merritt phenomenon (KMP)
- Treatment
- Medication for life
- Tumor Nature
- Non-cancerous but aggressive