The belly swelling was suspected to be constipation! The truth emerged after weeks.

The family of 1‑year‑old Florence Wilde, who lives in England’s West Midlands region, consulted doctors for weeks over her daughter’s increasingly swollen belly and fatigue. However, the little girl’s complaints were repeatedly deemed constipation and laxative treatment was administered. Despite the treatment, Florence’s condition worsened, and a tumor about 30 centimeters in size and weighing 2 kilograms was found in her abdomen.

Called 'Constipation' for weeks

Florence’s mother Anna explained that they had turned to medical facilities because of her daughter’s abdominal swelling and fatigue. The mother said the doctors believed the swelling was caused by constipation, and that they had to give the little girl laxatives for about three weeks.

However, despite the treatment, the swelling in Florence’s abdomen did not subside. On the contrary, the abdominal area continued to grow.

According to the family’s claim, Florence was taken to a doctor at least six times during the process, and her symptoms were assessed as constipation.

She could sleep in her mother’s arms at night.

The little girl's condition worsened in the following days. Unable to sleep comfortably at night due to swelling and pain in her abdomen, Florence began to be held upright in her mother's lap to calm down.

After the constipation treatment failed to produce results, the family sought medical care again. This time Florence's great-grandmother insisted on having a blood test performed.

Following elevated values in the blood tests, the little girl was urgently referred to the Pediatric Assessment Unit.

Doctor Noted the Mass in the Abdomen

Florence was examined here by another doctor. During the doctor's manual examination, it was noted that the swelling in the abdominal area was not due to an ordinary constipation.

After various hard masses and lumps were detected in the abdominal area during the examination, comprehensive investigations were initiated.

Following investigations, Florence was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in November 2024.

A 2‑kilogram tumor appeared on her abdomen.

It was noted that neuroblastoma, one of the rare cancers seen in children, originates from immature nerve cells that have not completed development.

A tumor about 30 centimetres in size and weighing 2 kilograms was detected on Florence’s abdomen. At the time, the little girl, who weighed only 13 kilograms, had a tumor that accounted for roughly 15 percent of her body weight.

Emergency Surgery and Chemotherapy Began

Florence was operated on at Birmingham Children’s Hospital on 26 November 2024. The following day, emergency chemotherapy was started to shrink the tumor.

In initial assessments, the cancer was thought to be confined to the abdomen, but new scans performed in January 2025 revealed that the disease had also spread to the spine. Thus it became clear that Florence's cancer was metastatic.

The little girl underwent another surgery in March 2025 to remove approximately 95% of the tumor. Just three weeks after the operation, high-dose chemotherapy was initiated.

The treatment process continued for months.

Florence began five courses of immunotherapy in October 2025. After months of a grueling treatment process, her family received encouraging news from doctors in April 2026.

The family was informed that the progression of Florence's tumor had stopped. It was also noted that the little girl's treatment and follow-up continued.