Mya Richardson, a 20-year-old from Lansing, Michigan, discovered she had spindle cell sarcoma after doctors repeatedly misdiagnosed a painful lump on her left flank as mere “crooked hips” over a five-year period, according to the South Wales News Service (SWNS).
From Routine Back Pain to a Rare Cancer Diagnosis
Ever since she was 15 years old, Richardson had suffered from persistent pain on one side of her back. Local physicians attributed the discomfort to uneven hips. However, in January of the previous year, a visible and painful lump emerged on her flank and continued to grow, prompting her to seek further medical evaluation. When she showed the mass to her doctor, it triggered an immediate medical alarm, leading to a referral to a specialist.
According to SWNS, Richardson only needed to pull up her shirt before the specialist recognized the severity of the condition and confirmed it was cancer. A subsequent biopsy in September of last year identified the mass as spindle cell sarcoma, a rare malignancy. “I thought it was just a big cyst that could easily be removed,” Richardson told SWNS, describing the diagnosis as a major shock.
Understanding Spindle Cell Sarcoma and Treatment Protocols
Sarcoma is a group of malignant tumors that originate from connective tissues such as soft tissue, bone, cartilage, musculature, and fat, according to the Store norske leksikon. These tumors are broadly categorized into bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas, with soft tissue variants typically presenting as visible swelling.
Following her diagnosis, Richardson was sent directly to the hospital. According to SWNS, her treatment regimen included four rounds of chemotherapy followed by 25 rounds of radiation therapy. While sarcomas can spread locally to nearby lymph nodes or via the bloodstream to the lungs and other organs, medical scans revealed that Richardson’s tumor had metastasized to her lungs. “They discovered that it spread to the lungs, but they have managed to stop it,” she stated.
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Medical Debt and Upcoming Surgery
To help cover mounting medical expenses, Richardson’s partner established a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe. The effort has raised over 200,000 Norwegian kroner. «Mya deserves to live a completely cancer-free life. No 20-year-olds should have to hear that they have cancer», her partner wrote on the fundraising page.
Richardson is scheduled to undergo surgery in March to have the remaining mass removed. Despite the rigorous treatments she has endured, she noted that the tumor remains intensely painful as she prepares for the operation.
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