Triza N., 14

Triza is a 14-year-old girl and the youngest of five children raised by her mother, Milka Namalwa. She deeply admires her mother’s dedication and resilience in providing for their underprivileged family. Triza is currently in Grade 8 at a local school and aspires to become a doctor, inspired by her desire to help both her community and her ailing mother. Her daily routine involves returning home from school in the late afternoon, completing household chores, and dedicating time to her studies. Despite showing great potential for a bright future, her progress is hindered by a medical condition affecting her left knee, which limits her mobility. At the age of eight, her mother noticed a small, painless swelling behind Triza’s left knee, which initially appeared harmless. However, by the time she was eleven, Triza began to experience mild pain in the area. She was taken to a local dispensary and later referred to a higher-level health facility, where the swelling was surgically removed. Unfortunately, about a month after the procedure, two new swellings developed in the same region, accompanied by discomfort and alot of pain. Triza is now seeking support from Helpster Charity for further medical intervention.

Triza had two swellings behind her knee that were causing significant pain and discomfort. However, it was important to first rule out the possibility of cancer. A biopsy was performed, where a small tissue sample was taken from the affected area and sent to the lab for analysis. The results confirmed that the growths were not cancerous, and the doctor recommended surgery after diagnosing the condition as neurofibromatosis.

An incisional biopsy involves making a small cut (incision) into a suspicious area of tissue to remove a portion of it for examination, often to confirm a diagnosis. This procedure is typically used when a diagnosis is uncertain, and the doctor needs to analyze a small sample under a microscope. For Triza, an incisional biopsy was advised before the mass can be removed, just to confirm that it is a myofibroma so that it can be removed as it is causing pain by compressing the damaging tissues. If it is not a myofibroma then alternative method of treatment will be explored.