A FOUR-YEAR-OLD “little princess” has died after developing a tumour that blocked her airway in the womb.
Kayleigh Deaville sadly passed away in her parent’s arms on September 12 in their Longton, Stoke-on-Trent home.
In an emotional tribute, family friend Samantha Colclough said: “Kayleigh was born with a tumour and it ended up spreading through her body and her cancer became terminal as it progressed. She was in hospital in Manchester for six to eight weeks to have chemo there.
“You’d never have thought Kayleigh had cancer. She was a superstar, nothing fazed her. Kayleigh was an amazing little girl who always smiled no matter what she was going through.
“Kayleigh’s favourite toy was her pink bunny – it was with her always. Her favourite colours were pink and blue.
“She was a sassy little princess who loved playing with her big sister Billie. No matter what she was going through she wouldn’t like to dampen spirits, she was the soul of the party.”
Heartbroken mum Deborah Kavanagh was first informed her baby had a large tumour on the back of her neck at their 20-week scan.
The large teratoma, a rare type of tumour, was pressing on Kayleigh’s food pipe, and causing increased fluid in the womb.
Deborah was referred to the Fetal Medicine Unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital, who were able to provide specialist care.
A team of 34 incredible specialists then performed an emergency life-saving surgery while she was still pregnant.
They were able to successfully complete a tracheostomy after diagnosing the mass would block baby Kayleigh’s airway during birth.
It was only the third time in the hospitals’ history that an Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT) had been carried out.
However, the tumour sadly continued to spread to the rest of Kayleigh’s body after she was born.
She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the brave little girl underwent chemotherapy at a Manchester hospital.
The four-year-old stayed there for treatment across six to eight weeks.
On September 12, she passed away in the arms of her parents at home.
A funeral was held for Kayleigh at Carmountside Crematorium yesterday.
A fundraiser has been set up by family and friends to buy a plaque and memorial bench.
They will proudly be displayed in her memory at Co-Op Academy Clarice Cliff Primary School, where Kayleigh’s older sister, Bille, goes.
GoFundMe organiser Samantha said: “Our aim is to place a memorial bench and plaque in Billie’s school where, if all went well, Kayleigh would have been attending.
“Any other funds would be going straight to the family.”
A TERATOMA is a rare type of tumor that can contain fully developed tissues and organs, including hair, teeth, muscle, and bone.
Teratomas are most common in the tailbone, ovaries, and testicles, but can occur elsewhere in the body.
Teratomas can appear in newborns, children, or adults. They’re more common in females.
They are usually benign in newborns, but may still require surgical removal.
Teratomas may have no symptoms at first. When symptoms develop, they can be different depending on where the teratoma is located.
The most common locations for teratomas are the tailbone (coccyx), ovaries, and testicles.
Signs and symptoms common to many teratomas include:
Source; HealthLine
