A 14-year-old boy is dead after undergoing surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital to remove a 10-pound tumor from his face.
Doctors say Emanuel Zayas battled a medical condition called polyostotic fibrous dysplacia -- an illness which causes certain bones to become soft -- for 12 years. It caused a 10-pound benign tumor to develop on Zayas' face.
Zayas’ family came to Miami from Cuba to have the surgery, which was scheduled for January at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Robert Marx said he saw progress in Zayas on January 18, when he observed pupillary reflexes and facial muscle tone in the boy's face. But on Saturday, Dr. Marx said Zayas' condition had worsened with kidney and lung failure.
Dr. Marx said that Zayas' family plans on donating Emanuel's body to medical research in hopes of learning more about the rare disease and helping people across the world who suffer from polyostotic fibrous dysplacia.
"I am personally saddened but want to thank all of you for your well wishes and prayers," Dr. Marx said. "Please continue the prayers."