Over the course of a year, it grew. Slowly at first, then more rapidly. By the time he sought medical attention, the mass had become necrotic, oozing fluid and blood, and had expanded to 20 centimeters. What had once been a minor concern was now impossible to ignore.

His family had started to worry. He was more fatigued than usual, short of breath, and even his voice sounded different. A trip to the emergency department would mark the beginning of a journey neither he—nor his loved ones—expected.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

Doctors immediately ordered imaging tests. A CT scan revealed a large mass on his chest wall near his axilla (underarm), along with enlarged lymph nodes. The findings raised red flags. Surgery was scheduled to remove the tumor and ease his symptoms. However, surgeons couldn’t fully remove the mass due to its involvement with nearby nerves