Pelé had been facing bowel cancer since August 31, 2021, when he was diagnosed with a tumor in the colon (large intestine) during routine examinations, being operated on four days later.
In the last hospitalization, on November 29, the star arrived at the hospital with generalized swelling and decompensated heart failure, as revealed by ESPN. THE Sheet confirmed this information.
Days before going to the hospital, Pelé had tested positive for Covid-19, according to the family revealed.
In medical bulletins released in the days following the hospitalization, Einstein reported that Pelé was diagnosed with a respiratory infection, after hospitalization for a reassessment of chemotherapy therapy for the colon tumor, which began shortly after surgery, in September 2021.
THE Sheet revealed, however, that the King was already under palliative care. As the body no longer responded to chemotherapy, the treatment was suspended, and Pelé continued to receive comfort measures, to relieve pain and shortness of breath, for example, without being subjected to invasive therapies, such as intubation.
The revelation led to a series of tributes to the former number 10 of the national team around the world, with figures from football and beyond sending messages of support to the idol. Pelé’s surroundings, however, always tried to keep the tone optimistic.
The situation changed on December 21, when the hospital itself informed in a note that the cancer had indeed progressed and that the King needed care for his heart and kidneys.
THE Sheet found that since the 21st, Pelé had been on a zero diet because the tumors in the intestine, inoperable, started to prevent food and liquids from traveling through the gastrointestinal tract. He continued to receive saline and oxygenation to maintain saturation.
On Saturday (24), Christmas Eve, with the worsening of shortness of breath, sedation was increased and there was a prognosis of imminent death. Surrounded by his children, Pelé died on Thursday (29).
The evolution of the disease
Since he operated on the colon tumor in 2021, Pelé has undergone several hospitalizations at Einstein and has been taken to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) a few times due to respiratory instability.
In January 2022, he had metastases diagnosed in another region of the intestine, lung and liver.
In February, when he returned to the hospital for more chemotherapy sessions, he had to extend his stay after doctors identified a urinary tract infection.
In addition to cancer, the athlete suffered from sequelae from three surgeries performed in recent years. One for placement of prosthesis in the hip and two others to correct it. He also felt pain in his knee, problems that made it difficult for him to move around.
Understand colon cancer
Colon cancer is one of the most common tumors in the Brazilian population. An estimate by Inca (National Cancer Institute) points out that, this year, Brazil should register 20,520 cases of colon and rectum cancer in men and 20,470 in women, and these numbers should rise in 2023.
Next year, the projection of the institute indicates that the country will have 45,630 new cases of cancer. According to Inca, this type of tumor almost always develops from polyps, benign lesions that grow on the intestinal wall.
It is known that it is more frequent in people who consume excessive red meat, have a diet low in fiber, are smokers or consume alcoholic beverages.
Between 10% and 15% of cases have a familial origin. In the rest, diet and lifestyle can be factors that contribute to the disease.
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