CANCER-stricken youngster Sam Shaw was in hospital today undergoing surgery to remove his tumour.

The four-year-old from Hoddlesden could be in surgery for up to eight hours as the original tumour, in Sam’s adrenal gland, is removed.

His mum Christine said secondary tumours have already been killed off by chemotherapy.

Sam was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in January and his parents, Christine and Carl, launched an appeal to raise £250,000 for him to receive immunotherapy treatment in Philadelphia in the US.

Doctors advised them it was the best course of action to try and save the youngster’s life.

Speaking from Manchester Children’s Hospital yesterday, Christine said: “Hopefully, they will get as much of the tumour out as possible, although they may not be able to remove it completely.

“It is a big operation and we are all anxious. We are feeling positive about it at the moment but it will be a very long day in the waiting room for us.”

Mrs Shaw said the operation was the second stage of a four-stage recovery process for Sam.

After the tumour is removed, he will have a bone marrow transplant followed by radiotherapy treatment. The Fireman Sam fanatic will then be ready for his trip to the US.

Mrs Shaw said the past three weeks after the chemotherapy ended had been a welcome relief for Sam and the family.

She said: “Sam has had a brilliant few weeks where he has been a normal four-year-old. He has had his taster days at St James’s Primary School and been for rides in all sorts of vehicles.”

The appeal which yesterday stood at almost £190,000, is going up by about £1,000 daily.