6/14/2021
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On January 11, 2009, Alcid noticed a mass on his right thigh and soft swelling of about
7 cm in diameter and 2 cm thick on the right side of his forehead. He was referred to
the surgical emergency ward of AZ Klina hospital. The physicians suggested the
removal of the tumor, which was postponed due to the imminent departure of the
vessel.[9]
On February 2, 2009, a team of doctors in Belguim removed Alcid's tumor. He likewise
underwent a CT scan which showed a clear bone defect of the skull. Imaging suggested
a primary tumor or a metastasis of a remote tumor.[10] Further examinations showed
multiple lung metastases, and swelling on his leg, which was suspected to be the
primary tumor.[11]
After a combined examination of the biopsies on the forehead tumor and the mass in
the leg, Alcid was diagnosed to be suffering from alveolar soft part sarcoma. He
underwent further treatments and examinations on various dates in March 2009.[12]
On April 14, 2009, Alcid was repatriated and admitted at St. Luke's Hospital. He
underwent various laboratory examinations including a CT scan on his whole chest and
abdomen, as well as a bone scan.[13] The test results showed multiple pulmonary
nodules as well a bone metastasis to his skull.[14]
On April 27, 2009, Dr. Natalia G. Alegre II (Dr. Alegre), company-designated physician,
issued a Medical Report confirming that the biopsied mass on Alcid's right thigh showed
soft tissue alveolar sarcoma. Dr. Alegre expounded that soft tissue alveolar sarcoma is
"a highly vascular tumor that is muscular in origin. It represents less than 1% of soft
tissue sarcomas of adults, and more frequently affect[s] females x x x. Metastases or
spread are frequent occurring mainly in the lungs, bones and brain."[15] The cause of
said illness is "genetic with translocation of x-genes in the G2 phase. It is a
chromosomal abnormality and is therefore not work related."[16]
Respondents provided Alcid medical attention until May 11, 2009. Unfortunately, Alcid
never recovered from his illness.[17]
On June 4, 2009, Alcid consulted an independent oncologist Dr. Jhade Lotus Peneyra
(Dr. Peneyra). In her Medical Certificate, Dr. Peneyra confirmed that Alcid was suffering
from alveolar soft part sarcoma with brain, lung and bone metastases. She related
medical studies revealing that exposure to chemicals such as ethylene oxide have lead
to a possible risk of developing malignant tumors in the breast, pancreas, stomach and
hematolymphoid organs,[18] and that for Alcid, "there is limited evidence in humans for
the carcinogenecity of ethylene oxide."[19]
Likewise, on September 17, 2009, Alcid consulted with Internist and Cardiologist Dr.
Efren R. Vicaldo (Dr. Vicaldo), who diagnosed the former as suffering from alveolar soft
part sarcoma with distant metastasis. Dr. Vicaldo gave a disability rating of Grade I
(120%).[20] He declared Alcid unfit to resume work as a seaman in any capacity and
regarded his work as aggravated/related to the disease.[21] He further noted that
having this rare malignancy significantly shortens Alcid's life expectancy, who is no
longer expected to land a gainful employment.[22]
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