The sudden demise of veteran Nollywood actress, Stella Ikwuegbu, is one that has not only left the Nigerian movie industry in shock, but the entire country at large.
It was on Sunday, while Nigerians enjoyed the Father’s Day celebration which was spiced with the Ileya Festival, that was when the tragic news was shared.
It was reported that Ikwuegbu died after battling with leg cancer for some time.
Her death was confirmed by movie producer, Stanley Nwoko, otherwise known as Stanley Ontop, via a post on his Instagram page.
According to him, the veteran actress died on Sunday, June 16.
“Popular Nollywood actress/veteran Mrs stella ikwuegbu is dead.
“The veteran Actress left this world today after battling with Leg cancer. Rest well madam Stella.
“Nollywood not again.
“It’s well.
Shalom!,” he wrote.
Reports of Ikwuegbu’s demise came as a shock to many Nigerians.
Apart from the scary number of deaths the movie industry has recorded in recent times, not many people were aware of the Ikwuegbu’s illness.
You see, Leg Cancer is not only a dangerous illness, but it is a rare one.
As such, one has to be financially buoyant to be able to bear the cost of its treatment.
Research shows that there is no known way of prevention for leg cancer since the cause is also yet to be confirmed.
Indeed, it is deadly, but can be treated.
Lag Cancer Treatment
According to Cleveland Clinic via its website, “bone cancer treatment depends on the type of cancer, whether it has spread, and if so, where.
People with bone cancer often work with a team of healthcare providers to treat the condition. This group includes doctors who specialise in cancer (oncologists and radiation oncologists) and doctors who specialise in bones and joints (orthopaedic surgeons).”
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“Bone cancer treatment typically involves a combination of approaches. The type and duration of these treatments vary depending on several factors, including the type of bone cancer, the size of the tumor and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.”
The following treatments would have saved Stella Ikwuegbu.
Surgery
Here, the surgeon would have removed the tumor and some healthy tissue around it.
They can also repair or rebuild affected bones with real or artificial bone graft. Sometimes an entire limb must be removed to treat cancer.
In the above case, artificial limb (prosthetic) can be used.
Furthermore, repeat surgery is needed if all of the cancer cells were not removed the first time.
Radiation therapy
This treatment shrinks the tumor with high doses of X-rays.
Healthcare providers often use radiation before surgery to shrink the tumor so less tissue has to be removed.
Chemotherapy
This type of treatment kills cancer cells throughout the body with medicine.
People usually receive the medicine by swallowing a pill or having it injected into a vein.
The provider can use chemotherapy to treat primary bone cancers or bone cancers that have spread.
