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ST Medical Mysteries

Medical Mysteries

This 35-year-old’s immune system attacks her own body, causing lumps to grow in her left breast

Mrs Kinnari Bhosale is recovering from surgery to remove the benign tumours in her left breast caused by granulomatous mastitis, a rare, benign inflammatory breast condition that mimics breast cancer, making diagnosis challenging.
Mrs Kinnari Bhosale is recovering from surgery to remove the benign tumours in her left breast caused by granulomatous mastitis, a rare, benign inflammatory breast condition that mimics breast cancer, making diagnosis challenging.

Medical Mysteries

She had her daughter through IVF, ensuring the baby would not inherit her genetic condition

Housewife Felicia Lee (left) was diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis when she was 12. Seen here with her husband Mr Cedric Ng and their one-year-old daughter Phoebe who was conceived through IVF.
Housewife Felicia Lee (left) was diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis when she was 12. Seen here with her husband Mr Cedric Ng and their one-year-old daughter Phoebe who was conceived through IVF.

Medical Mysteries

Life rewired: Deep brain stimulation curbs excessive, involuntary movements in boy with rare disorder

An 11 year-old Singaporean, known here as Adrian, is the first paediatric patient with GNAO1, a rare genetic neurological disorder, in Singapore and  Asia to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for this condition. Adrian (with his back and his mother Felicia, 42, looking at a baby photo of Adrian.
An 11 year-old Singaporean, known here as Adrian, is the first paediatric patient with GNAO1, a rare genetic neurological disorder, in Singapore and  Asia to undergo Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for this condition. Adrian (with his back and his mother Felicia, 42, looking at a baby photo of Adrian.

Medical Mysteries

Patient-led group provides social, community support for neurofibromatosis sufferers

Neurofibromatosis sometimes manifests itself as growth of thousands of benign tumours on the body and face, causing stigma and misunderstandings.
Neurofibromatosis sometimes manifests itself as growth of thousands of benign tumours on the body and face, causing stigma and misunderstandings.

Medical Mysteries

Rare skin condition gives 9-year-old girl skin like KPop Demon Hunters character

Phoebe Hu with her doctors (left to right) Dr Nikki Fong, Dr Valerie Ho and Dr Enrica Tan at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Oct 21.
Phoebe Hu with her doctors (left to right) Dr Nikki Fong, Dr Valerie Ho and Dr Enrica Tan at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Oct 21.

Medical Mysteries

She lives in darkness and silence because of a genetic condition

Ms Tan Siew Ling (left), 38, assistant manager in the innovation division at SG Enable, depends wholly on her older brother Tan Yan Cai, 41, an IT engineer.
Ms Tan Siew Ling (left), 38, assistant manager in the innovation division at SG Enable, depends wholly on her older brother Tan Yan Cai, 41, an IT engineer.

Medical Mysteries

Rare genetic condition led to boy losing both kidneys at age 13

Au Wan Rong (right), 16, has a rare mutation in the TRPC6 gene that caused his kidneys to fail. With him are (left) Associate Professor Ng Kar Hui and medical social worker Cheng Peizhi.
Au Wan Rong (right), 16, has a rare mutation in the TRPC6 gene that caused his kidneys to fail. With him are (left) Associate Professor Ng Kar Hui and medical social worker Cheng Peizhi.

Medical Mysteries

Two of her children were diagnosed with rare genetic disorder, with son dying months after birth

Rania Safiyya Ridzwan, five, has a rare genetic disorder called Kaufman oculocerebrofacial syndrome.
Rania Safiyya Ridzwan, five, has a rare genetic disorder called Kaufman oculocerebrofacial syndrome.

Medical Mysteries

Knowing patient’s genetic make-up may change the way medicines are prescribed

Dr Goh Liuh Ling, laboratory director and senior principal scientific officer at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Centre for Precision and Genomic Medicine carrying out tests on a patient's genes to see how he would react to his medication

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Dr Goh Liuh Ling, laboratory director and senior principal scientific officer at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Centre for Precision and Genomic Medicine carrying out tests on a patient's genes to see how he would react to his medication

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Medical Mysteries

Man learns of his rare genetic condition only after daughters are diagnosed

ST20250925_202581800121 Azmi Athni judna25//

If it wasn't for daughter Nurul Naqisyah Mohamad Shahrel's dignosis, general worker Mohamad Shahrel Hamid, 45, would not know he had haploinsufficiency A20, a rare inherited immune disorder characterised by systemic inflammation and autoimmune infections

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
ST20250925_202581800121 Azmi Athni judna25//

If it wasn't for daughter Nurul Naqisyah Mohamad Shahrel's dignosis, general worker Mohamad Shahrel Hamid, 45, would not know he had haploinsufficiency A20, a rare inherited immune disorder characterised by systemic inflammation and autoimmune infections

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.