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In a groundbreaking medical procedure, surgeons in the United States successfully removed a spinal tumor through a patient's eye socket. Nineteen-year-old Karla Flores from Maryland had been experiencing blurred and double vision since 2023. Upon medical examination, she was diagnosed with a rare malignant tumor known as chordoma, located near her left eye. This type of cancer is slow-growing but can be dangerous if not treated promptly.

Initially, Ms. Flores underwent surgery in April 2024, where part of her skull was temporarily removed to extract a significant portion of the tumor. However, doctors discovered a second mass near her cervical spine, which posed a risk of paralysis if left untreated. Traditional surgical approaches through the neck, mouth, or nose were deemed too risky due to potential complications. Consequently, the medical team, led by Dr. Mohamed AM Labib at the University of Maryland Medical Center, devised an innovative approach to access the tumor through the lower eye socket.

The complex surgery took place on May 1, 2024, lasting nearly 19 hours. The team meticulously planned the procedure, practicing on cadavers to ensure precision. Post-surgery, Ms. Flores underwent additional treatments, including proton therapy, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. While she continues to recover, wearing a neck brace and managing some pain, recent scans show no signs of cancer recurrence. Doctors are optimistic about her prognosis, and Ms. Flores remains hopeful for a future free from cancer.