A young Maryland woman “recovers with peace of mind” after doctors perform new surgery to remove a potentially fatal cancerous tumor.
A surgical team at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) extracted tumors wrapped around the spinal cord through the patient’s orbit.
According to a press release from UMMC, this was the first time a surgeon had used a “transvolume” approach to remove a spinal tumor.
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Cara Flores was only 19 years old when she was diagnosed with a chordate, a developing bone tumor in her spine.
At the age of 18, Flores began experiencing double vision, which ultimately led to a diagnosis a few months later.
Carla Flores was photographed in March 2025. Her face is absolutely no scars after her surgery. (Carla Flores)
Chondromas are extremely rare, with only about 300 cases occurring in the United States each year.
“The tumor was wrapped around the patient’s spine and spinal cord, and invaded the vertebra in the neck just below the base of the skull,” said MD, a neurosurgeon who is a neurosurgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center and a professor of neurosurgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
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“The main risk was to injure the brainstem, spinal cord, or major blood vessels with the drill or the fine equipment we used. One of these injuries could have resulted in paralysis or death,” Labib told Fox News Digital.
“But without surgery, the spinalis could have continued to grow into the spinal cord and put intense pressure on him, which would have paralyzed his arms and legs, and ultimately killed her.
From left: Dr. Karpesh Vakalia, Dr. Mohamed Rabib and Andrea Hebert of the University of Maryland Medical Center. (University of Maryland Medical Center)
The surgeon created a “giant surgical corridor” through an eye socket that allows it to reach the front of the spinal cord.
“It was a straight shot,” Rabib said.
“By passing through the bottom of the eye socket, we were able to remove a tumor that would otherwise have been extremely difficult and extremely dangerous.”
“It was horrifying to learn about spinal cord tumors and brain tumors, but I’m very grateful that the doctors were able to remove them.”
During the procedure, Labib collaborated with Kalpesh T. Vakharia, MD, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
To create a pathway to the spine, Vakharia removed the bottom of Flores’ eye socket and part of the cheekbones, the release states.
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“We wanted to develop a surgical plan that could not be communicated that there were no external scars and that the patient had even had surgery,” says Vakharia.
After Labib removed the tumor, Vakharia reconstructed the bottom of the socket of the eye using a titanium plate and reconstructed the cheeks from the patient’s hip joint with the bone.
This is a diagram of two spinal cord tumors in a patient. (University of Maryland Medical Center)
“It was amazing to have had the opportunity to be part of a surgery that has never been done before,” Vacaria added.
The approach also prevented damage to the Eustachian tube, major blood vessels such as the jugular vein and internal carotid artery, as well as nerves that control swallow and speech, Labib noted.
Before Flores’ surgery, Labib had the opportunity to practice the transvolume procedure of the corpse “again and over again.”
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“The fact that people are willing to donate their bodies to science has allowed us to do this and save the lives of this young woman,” he said.
Flores also had a large tumor around the stem of her brain, but it was removed in two separate steps via her skull and nose, the release states.
Diagram of the transvolume pathway to a patient’s tumor. (Tina Wang/University of Maryland Medical Center)
Spinal cord tumors can be life-threatening if they grow up causing significant stem pressure in the brain stem.
“Many of these tumors recur, which is why we support an interdisciplinary approach to treatment,” Hebert said in the release.
Flores is also undergoing radiation therapy to eliminate remaining cancer cells.
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“Kara is doing really well. She’s recovering from surgery and radiation and ready to go back to work and school,” shared Fox News Digital and Labib.
“She is an incredibly brave young woman facing more than most of her age. I hope that the same spiritual strength will bring her to a promising future.”
“It was horrifying to learn about spinal cord tumors and brain tumors, but I’m very grateful that the doctors were able to remove them.”
Flores has nerve damage due to the proximity of the tumor to the brainstem, causing several problems with movement of the left eye.
“It was horrifying to learn about spinal cord tumors and brain tumors, but I’m very grateful that the doctors were able to remove them,” said Flores, who is planning to go to school to become a manilist.
Cara Flores is depicted on the left, with the team of doctors who also completed the procedure. (Carla Flores, University of Maryland Medical Center)
“I’m slowly recovering, and with the issues I have, they’ll help me,” she continued.
“I keep reminding you that it takes one day at a time and know that each step is an accomplishment.”
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Flores is now planning to go to school to become a manuscript.
Going forward, UMMC’s team will demonstrate transvoluntary procedures this fall to neurosurgeons around the world with their annual skull-based surgical course.
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“If there are such a wide corridor to reach these tumors, they can be completely removed.
“There are other patients who will undergo similar surgery in the near future.”
