Da Nang hospital successfully removes spinal tumor from US patient
DNO - Doctors at Da Nang Hospital have successfully removed a lumbar spinal tumor from a 165kg American patient, highlighting the city’s growing capacity to provide advanced medical treatment for international patients.
The 37-year-old US patient was admitted with lower back pain radiating down his left leg, accompanied by numbness, leg weakness and difficulty walking.
The symptoms had persisted for more than a year, significantly affecting his work, sleep and daily activities. Examinations and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed an approximately 3cm extra medullary tumor inside the spinal canal at the L2 lumbar vertebra.
The tumor was closely associated with nerve roots in the conus medullaris and cauda equina region.
According to Dr. Le Quang Huy of the hospital’s Department of Neurosurgery, the operation was challenging because the tumor was located near critical neural structures.
Precise surgical access and dissection were essential to remove it while preserving neurological function.
The patient’s physical condition added to the complexity. Standing 1.95 metres tall and weighing 165kg, he had a body mass index (BMI) of approximately 43.3, placing him in the severe obesity category.
This presented additional challenges in anesthesia, airway management, surgical positioning and postoperative care, while increasing the risk of complications.
After approximately three hours of surgery, using a surgical microscope and intraoperative neuromonitoring, the medical team completely removed the tumor.
The patient recovered well. Two days after surgery, the US man was able to stand, walk and carry out daily activities independently. No neurological complications had been recorded.
Reflecting on his treatment, he said the persistent pain had made walking, working and daily life increasingly difficult before he came to Da Nang Hospital. It had also affected his sleep.
“After the surgery, I feel very good. The pain has completely disappeared, and my quality of life has returned to what it was before. Now I can sleep, walk, get up on my own and do the things I need to do in daily life. The doctors and nurses here are wonderful,” he said.
The case also highlights the potential cost advantage of receiving treatment in Da Nang. Similar microsurgical procedures to remove spinal tumours in the United States can cost an estimated US$35,000 - 60,000 out of pocket, equivalent to approximately VND910 million to VND1.56 billion.
By comparison, the treatment cost for this US patient at Da Nang Hospital was approximately VND20 - 30 million.
The successful surgery underscores Da Nang Hospital’s growing expertise in complex neurosurgical care, while demonstrating how the city is strengthening its appeal as a destination for high-quality, affordable healthcare.
For international patients, the case offers a compelling example of advanced treatment delivered with skill, compassion and a substantially lower cost.