Initial Diagnosis: Limb Preservation Through a Noninvasive Approach

Twenty-six years ago, at the age of 12, she was diagnosed with a bone tumor in her left tibia. Under conventional treatment protocols, amputation would likely have been the recommended option. In 2000, however, she underwent a noninvasive Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery (FUAS) performed by Professors Chen Wenzhi and Li Kequan. Without a single incision, the procedure successfully eradicated the tumor while preserving her entire affected limb, creating a remarkable limb-salvage success story. During the following 26 years, there was no recurrence of the primary tibial tumor.

Unexpected Malignancy: Initial Surgical Excision

Following her recovery, life remained stable and uneventful for many years. However, in October 2024, another challenge emerged. She incidentally discovered a small, firm nodule, approximately 1 cm in diameter, near her right axillary region on the back. Initially considering it insignificant, she underwent surgical excision at a local hospital. Unexpectedly, postoperative pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an undifferentiated malignant spindle cell sarcoma.

Repeat Surgery: Physical and Emotional Burden

In an effort to control disease progression, she underwent a second, more extensive surgical resection in January 2025. Within little more than a year, two major surgeries had left her physically exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. The extensive tissue damage caused by repeated operations, combined with the psychological stress of facing a malignant tumor, took a significant toll on her well-being.

Tumor Recurrence: Refusal of Further Surgery

Unfortunately, conventional surgical treatment failed to prevent recurrence. In April 2026, another hard mass developed adjacent to the previous surgical scar, and follow-up examinations confirmed local recurrence of the sarcoma. Once again, extensive surgical resection was recommended by the local medical team. Having endured multiple surgeries and experienced recurrence despite treatment, she firmly declined any further invasive procedures.

Returning to HIFU: Seeking the Physicians She Trusted

Facing limited options, she recalled the noninvasive treatment that had saved her leg 26 years earlier. Carrying both hope and trust, she returned to Chongqing HAIFU Hospital and sought help from Professors Chen Wenzhi and Li Kequan—the same physicians who had successfully preserved her limb decades before.

Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery: Noninvasive Tumor Removal

On May 28, she successfully underwent Focused Ultrasound Ablation Surgery under general anesthesia. The procedure was completed in just 68 minutes. Following treatment, only mild skin redness and slight swelling were observed. No surgical incision was required, allowing maximum preservation of the normal skin and soft tissues of the back while achieving noninvasive tumor ablation.

Compassionate Care and Recovery

On the day after treatment, Director Chen Wenzhi led the ward round. The patient’s vital signs remained stable, her recovery progressed smoothly, and all clinical examinations were within normal limits. To celebrate the successful outcome and honor a patient relationship spanning more than two decades, several medical staff members from HAIFU Hospital visited her with flowers. Their gesture reflected not only the continuity of medical care but also the enduring warmth and trust shared between physicians and patients across 26 years.