Tumor covering Cuban teen's face to be removed

MIAMI (FOX 13) - A 14-year-old from Cuba with a rare bone disease will undergo the surgery that will hopefully save his life at a hospital in Miami.

The parents of 14-year-old Emanuel Zayas are relieved and appreciative, knowing their child will get the care he needs at the beginning of the year.

Emanuel was born with Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia - a condition that resulted in severe deformity of his skull, arms, and legs.

But Emanuel's doctors are hopeful the surgery will change his life for the better.

As WSVN 7News reports, the condition first affected his limbs when he was a toddler. At age 11, a bump appeared on Zayas’ nose, and it kept growing until taking over his face.

Today, his face almost completely covered by a tumor weighing in at nearly 10 pounds. The mass makes it hard for him to see, eat, and talk.

The surgery to remove it will take between 10 and 14 hours. He will also have to undergo reconstructive surgeries later.

His doctors say if they are able to remove all of the tumor tissue, it will not come back.

Zayas’ first surgery is scheduled for January 12.

A fundraiser has been set up by the Jackson Health Foundation for Zayas’ medical bills.