- Hemihypertrophy
Hemihypertrophy is a condition in which one side of the body or a part of one side is larger than the other. Children with hemihypertrophy have an increased risk of developing certain types of
cancer , includingWilms tumor (a childhoodkidney cancer ) and liver cancer. Children with hemihypertrophy may also develop scoliosis, a curvature of the spine.There are two main surgical options for the treatment of hemihypertrophy, shortening and lengthening. Epiphysiodesis, which involves removing part of the growth plate of the longer leg, allowing the shorter leg to "catch up", is performed on patients still able to grow. Bone resection is performed on patients who have no growth left and involves removing part of the bone. Leg lengthening procedures are more painful, involving the insertion of pins to be turned, moving parts of the bone apart. This process is reserved mainly for patients with a discrepancy greater than 4 cm, although some leg lengthening procedures are now done cosmetically.Non-surgical options include attachment of a lift to the shoe, allowing the patient to walk normally.External links
* [http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/db_alpha.aspx?CdrID=482352 Hemihypertrophy] entry in the public domain NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
* [http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1100/mainpageS1100P0.html] entry in the Children's Hospital of Boston website
oncology-stubhello does the procedure with a e hurt
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.