What started as toothache led to a rare cancer diagnosis and years of medical treatment for Lerato Mosai (29), who has been bedridden for four years, and who is desperate for explanations, reports Health-e News.
The Sasolburg woman has become totally dependent on her mother for her daily care.
Mosai first went to a dentist because of severe toothache in 2021, and although two teeth were removed, the pain continued.
During another examination, the dentist noticed swelling on her palate and referred her to Mediclinic Emfuleni Hospital.
“The dentist extracted another tooth, and saw what looked what looked like a blister or a pimple on my palate,” she said. A biopsy confirmed she had adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare form of cancer.
By early 2024, the cancer had progressed and she had to undergo specialist treatment. In March that year, she was admitted to Lenmed Hospital in Lenasia South, for extensive surgery to remove the tumour and part of her upper jaw. This was followed by radiation.
“I walked into surgery full of life. Today I can’t walk or take care of my son. I can’t even turn myself on the bed,” she said.
Mosai added that she was told part of her jaw would need to be reconstructed after the surgery.
In October 2024 she was booked for another operation – for the artificial jaw reconstruction, she said. But when she awoke, she realised she’d had “procedures involving my thighs and neck”, and had “a feeding tube in my stomach”.
She and her mother allege the procedures were done without adequate explanation or consent.
Medical records reviewed by Health-e News show that tissue was taken from Mosai’s thigh for the reconstructive surgery. The records also document complications and further procedures.
Mosai’s mother said her daughter subsequently developed severe pain in her thigh and difficulty walking. She eventually became unable to walk and now relies on her for care.
The medical records document the thigh procedure and subsequent complications, but do not establish why Mosai is now unable to walk or whether the procedure caused her loss of mobility.
Medical records reviewed include signed consent documentation.
The family disputes whether all the procedures were adequately explained to them before they were performed.
Surgeon denies allegations
Mosai has since sought legal action over her treatment. Dr Zain Dangor, the maxillofacial surgeon involved in Mosai’s treatment, is represented by MacRobert Attorneys. His legal representative, Hanneke Verwey, who responded on his behalf, said the matter is pending before the High Court.
“Our client is defending those proceedings, disputes and denies the allegations made against him,” Verwey said.
She said the issues will be determined through the court process and that Dangor’s professional obligations regarding patient confidentiality prevent him from commenting publicly on Mosai’s clinical treatment.
Makunyane Attorneys, which represents Mosai, confirmed that legal proceedings had begun.
Mosai’s family said that by March 2025, they had run out of private medical funds and turned to the public health system for help.
Her mother took her to Fezi Ngubentombi Provincial Hospital in Sasolburg, but said she was turned away because she did not have her medical history and a referral letter from the private doctors who had treated her.
They went back again when Mosai was experiencing severe pain but again did not receive the help they were seeking.
Mosai subsequently received care at Sebokeng Hospital in Gauteng for severe abdominal pain, and was also treated at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital last year for problems with her feeding tube.
Her mother said she is currently receiving care at National District Hospital in Bloemfontein, where she has been assessed by a specialist. According to her family, doctors are examining her legs and reviewing her previous operations.
She said her daughter’s condition has deteriorated and the family is increasingly concerned about her health.
Health-e News sent questions to the Free State Department of Health about whether there are any records of Mosai being assessed at Fezi Ngubentombi Provincial Hospital and why she was allegedly turned away.
The department had not responded by the time of publication.
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