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Leonardo MorisFilipino construction worker with ameloblastoma
Date of Birth: 01.01.1988
Country:  Philippines |
Content:
- A Filipino Construction Worker's Battle with Ameloblastoma
- A Growing Tumour
- The Threat to Life
- Daily Struggle and Financial Burden
- The Ravages of Ameloblastoma
- The Search for Hope
- Understanding Ameloblastoma
- Prevalence and Impact
- Symptoms and Treatment
A Filipino Construction Worker's Battle with Ameloblastoma
The Unlucky Game of BasketballAs a teenager, Leonardo Morris, now 30, sustained a jaw injury during a fateful basketball game in Ormoc City, Philippines. Unbeknownst to him, this incident would have far-reaching consequences.
A Growing Tumour
Several years later, at the age of 23, Morris began experiencing throbbing toothaches. To his dismay, a benign tumour had started growing in his jaw. He was diagnosed with a rare condition called ameloblastoma—a tumour that affects the jawbone. Doctors suspect the injury he sustained during his adolescence played a role in its development.
The Threat to Life
If left untreated, the tumour, which is now the size of Morris's own jaw, could prove fatal. Unfortunately, Morris, who earns only a few pounds a day as a construction worker, cannot afford the £5,000 operation to remove it.
Daily Struggle and Financial Burden
Despite the constant pain, Morris continues to toil every day in a desperate attempt to raise enough money for the life-saving surgery. "I can't bear it without medical attention," he said. "When I was younger, I got hurt playing basketball. My condition worsened over time—the injured area started swelling. I kept hoping it would eventually go away, but the swelling just grew."
The Ravages of Ameloblastoma
The benign growth has the potential to destroy Morris's jawbones and even spread to his sinuses and eye sockets. According to Morris's niece, Jolina Endoy, the ameloblastoma has become so large that he can barely chew solid foods and survives on a diet of soup, water, and fruit juice.
The Search for Hope
"Initially, we all thought he just had a toothache," Endoy said. "After a while, the pain went away, but then his mouth suddenly started to swell. We don't have the money for the operation, but everyone is trying to save up to help."
Understanding Ameloblastoma
Dr. Stephen Garcia, an oncologist at East Avenue Medical Center in Manila, highlighted Morris's advanced condition but emphasized that it is still treatable. Ameloblastoma is a rare, usually benign tumour that affects the jawbone. It typically originates from the epithelium of the dental papillae, leading to facial deformities.
Prevalence and Impact
Ameloblastoma accounts for only about 1% of all oral tumours. Oral cancer strikes around 6,800 people annually in the UK and as many as 51,540 in the USA. In extreme cases, the tumour can extend into the nose, sinuses, and eye sockets. Less than 2% of ameloblastomas become malignant and spread metastases, most commonly to the lungs.
Symptoms and Treatment
Other than the abnormal growth of the jaw, symptoms of ameloblastoma include painless swellings, intermittent bone pain, tooth loss, speech difficulties, and oral ulcers. The cause of ameloblastoma is unknown, but it is thought to have genetic roots combined with trauma to the jaw, tooth or gum infection, possible malnutrition, and poor oral hygiene, including neglected and untreated swelling of the lower jaw. The mandible is affected in 80% of cases.
Surgery to remove the affected tissue, along with some surrounding healthy tissue to prevent regrowth, is the usual treatment. If any affected areas are missed, the tumour recurs in 72% of cases. Radiation therapy is often required if the ameloblastoma is extensive, while chemotherapy is less effective.
