One of the Asia Pacific's largest thyroid tumours was removed from an Indonesian boy in a landmark operation which took 10 hours at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital on 28 November 2005

For 12-year-old Lukas Wahangara (below), it was a dream come true when he met Dr Goh Yau Hong, a surgeon from Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, who was on a charity mission to the island. An Indonesian church in Singapore arranged to bring him over to Singapore for the two kilogrammes tumour to be removed. On 28 November 2005, the Large tumour was successfully removed. Lukas recovered well and was home to celebrate Christmas with his family.

The boy, Lukas Wahangara, from the remote Indonesian island of Sumba had been living with a huge goitre on his neck and chest for the past 12 years.	Moments before surgery	Lukas under general anaesthesia
During surgery	Lukas Wahangara after operation - Lukas is recovering well and is enjoying his 13th birthday.	Lukas with Dr. Goh Yau Hong and his nurses
Lukas 3 week after surgery. Lukas will be returning to Indonesia on 23 Dec, in time to spend his Christmas with his family and his loved ones.