Title: Teenage Boy’s Life Saved After Discovery of Rare Heart Tumor
August 12, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. EDT
Washington, D.C. – A 14-year-old boy, identified as Akinbiyi Akinwumi, or BB, was rushed to the emergency department of Children’s National Hospital in Washington after collapsing at an indoor trampoline park near his home in Prince George’s County, Maryland. What started as a routine Saturday afternoon at the park turned into a life-threatening situation when BB complained of chest pain and numbness.
Upon arrival at the hospital, BB was conscious and looking around the room, a comforting sign for critical care cardiologist Gil Wernovsky. However, an echocardiogram revealed a startling diagnosis that left the medical team in shocked silence – a tumor attached to BB’s heart. The mass, described as resembling a “stalk of cauliflower,” was a cardiac myxoma, a rare condition that is almost always benign.
The urgency to remove the tumor, which could have blocked blood flow to BB’s heart, led to the immediate preparation for emergency surgery. BB’s parents, Shron Akinwumi and Akin Akinwumi, were faced with the terrifying reality that their previously healthy son’s life was in danger.
Thankfully, the surgery was successful, and BB’s recovery was remarkably quick. Less than four days after his arrival at the hospital, BB was able to return home. Although his mother, Shron, tearfully recounted the traumatic experience, she expressed her gratitude for the medical team and their efforts to save her son’s life.
The diagnosis of cardiac myxoma, a rare tumor found in the heart’s upper chamber, often remains a mystery, primarily affecting women between the ages of 30 and 60. Surgical removal is typically the recommended treatment, and recurrence is rare.
The Akinwumi family, who experienced months of unexplained symptoms before the tumor was discovered, is now sharing their heartfelt story to raise awareness about the importance of paying attention to unusual health symptoms, even in adolescents. BB’s swift recovery is a testament to the critical role of early detection and medical intervention.
As BB continues to heal and regain his strength, his family is thankful that their son’s life was saved and hopes that their experience can inspire others to prioritize their well-being and seek medical attention when necessary.