Tree growing in man’s lung nipped in the bud

RUSSIAN surgeons found a 5-cm fir tree growing inside a man’s lung as they operated on him for suspected cancer. The amazing discovery was made when they opened up 28-year-old Artyom Sidorkin (picture) to remove what they thought was a serious tumour.

Mr Sidorkin had complained of extreme pain in his chest and had been coughing up blood. Doctors were convinced he had cancer.

Medical staff believe Mr Sidorkin had somehow inhaled a seed, which later sprouted into a small fir tree inside his lung. The spruce, which was touching the man’s capillaries and causing severe pain, was removed. The plant looks firm and healthy, with bright green needles.

Surgeon Vladimir Kamashev investigated the tissue before removing part of the man’s lung. “I thought I was hallucinating,” said Dr Kamashev.
The Guardian, The Daily Telegraph

From TODAY, World – Friday, 17-April-2009