Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Mumbai Doctors Save Eritrean Teen From Rare Blood Cancer
A 14-year-old boy from Eritrea became very sick with a fast-growing blood cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma.
The cancer caused a large tumour in his abdomen.
Doctors in Mumbai began chemotherapy to shrink it.
During treatment, his heart stopped because of a dangerous heart rhythm, but doctors revived him.
He also developed an immune-system problem and a difficult bacterial infection.
The boy became very weak and lost 12 kilograms, so he needed tube feeding and physiotherapy.
His tumour shrank, and he eventually reached remission.
After completing five chemotherapy cycles, he returned to Eritrea in good health.
A 14-year-old Eritrean boy recovered from Burkitt’s lymphoma after treatment in Mumbai.
Doctors found a large ileocaecal tumour after nearly two months of fever and abdominal swelling.
His treatment was complicated by cardiac arrest, secondary HLH and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella sepsis.
The teenager completed five chemotherapy cycles and reached metabolic remission after the third cycle.
After physiotherapy and nutritional rehabilitation, he completed treatment and returned to Eritrea in good health.
- Who
- A 14-year-old boy from Eritrea, treated by doctors at Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital in Mumbai.
- What
- He was treated for Stage III Burkitt’s lymphoma complicated by secondary HLH, cardiac arrest and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella sepsis.
- When
- He was transferred to the Mumbai hospital on May 7, 2026; the treatment completion date was not stated.
- Where
- Treatment took place in Mumbai, India, and he later returned to Eritrea.
- Why
- Persistent fever, abdominal swelling, low blood counts and a tumour led to his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- Patient
- 14-year-old boy from Eritrea
- Diagnosis
- Stage III Burkitt’s lymphoma with secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
- Major complications
- Cardiac arrest, multidrug-resistant Klebsiella sepsis and severe muscle loss
- Hospital
- Narayana Health SRCC Children’s Hospital, Mumbai
- Chemotherapy
- Five cycles completed; metabolic remission achieved after the third cycle
- Additional treatment
- Physiotherapy, nutritional rehabilitation and tube feeding
- Outcome
- Completed treatment and returned to Eritrea in good health