Archive for brain tumor
Forecasting the future for childhood cancer survivors
Children are much more likely to survive cancer today than 50 years ago. Unfortunately, as adults, many of them develop cardiovascular disease, secondary cancers, or both, believed to result from the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation. But the full risk picture for survivors hasn’t been clear. “Patients want to know how long they’ll live ... Read More about Forecasting the future for childhood cancer survivors
Pediatric high-grade gliomas: Research reveals effective targeting with avapritinib
Pediatric high-grade gliomas, particularly H3K27M diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), are aggressive malignant brain tumors with a poor prognosis. Previous research suggests that platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) appears to play a multifaceted role in the pathogenesis of both adult and pediatric high-grade gliomas. Not only are genetic alterations of PDGFRA common in patients with ... Read More about Pediatric high-grade gliomas: Research reveals effective targeting with avapritinib
First-of-their-kind findings turn conventional wisdom about diffuse hemispheric glioma on its head
Diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3G34-mutant (DHG-H3G34) is a type of high-grade glioma that typically affects adolescents and young adults. The lack of targeted treatments contributes to a very poor prognosis for patients with these malignant brain tumors. But what if some of what we thought we knew about DHG-H3G34 turned out to be wrong? That’s the ... Read More about First-of-their-kind findings turn conventional wisdom about diffuse hemispheric glioma on its head
‘We’re going to Boston’: Why Aydan’s family temporarily relocated for craniopharyngioma care
One evening in October 2022, 2-year-old Aydan Arguello arrived at Boston Children’s Hospital. It wasn’t a routine visit, but instead the final stop in an urgent journey from his home in South Florida. Months earlier, the toddler had been diagnosed and treated for a large brain tumor — but it was a related concern that led ... Read More about ‘We’re going to Boston’: Why Aydan’s family temporarily relocated for craniopharyngioma care
After surgery for a brain tumor, Jenny is moving ahead — and giving back
“It might sound weird,” says Jenny Eckert, “but I’m very grateful that I got hit in the face with a soccer ball.” A year and a half ago, Jenny, then 9, was playing soccer when she accidentally took a hit to the head — twice. Concerned about a possible concussion, her parents, Vanessa and Scott, brought ... Read More about After surgery for a brain tumor, Jenny is moving ahead — and giving back
Keeping pace: ‘Superhero’ Zachary hasn’t let a brain tumor break his stride
Zachary Sonnek, 11, loves being active, whether that means running or playing baseball, golf, or hockey. “He’s always been ‘go, go, go,’” says his mother, Nicole. So two years ago, when he told his parents he occasionally had trouble breathing, they initially thought he just needed to pace himself. Although he had a clean bill ... Read More about Keeping pace: ‘Superhero’ Zachary hasn’t let a brain tumor break his stride
This two-handed robot goes deep into the brain
Robots have become common partners in the OR, enabling surgeons to operate through small incisions and manipulate tools endoscopically, avoiding invasive open surgery. But in neurosurgery, robots’ capabilities have been more limited. While they can assist with relatively simple procedures like inserting an electrode, more invasive and complex operations like removing a tumor still require ... Read More about This two-handed robot goes deep into the brain
‘Life is so much better now’: Ethan finds treatment for mixed germ cell brain tumor
Ethan Winchenbach was playing with his dogs when he first noticed that something was off. “My vision changed, but only when I looked down,” he remembers. “It was really disorienting.” His mother, Becky, who is a nurse, knew immediately that something wasn’t right. When the symptoms didn’t improve, she made him an appointment with his ... Read More about ‘Life is so much better now’: Ethan finds treatment for mixed germ cell brain tumor
A ‘super’ new heart surgery for a super kid
When you’re the first person in the world to undergo a new type of heart surgery, you don’t have to use the procedure’s clinical name. You can give it any name you want, even your own. That’s what 7-year-old Easton Schlein’s family has done. While his Boston Children’s cardiac surgery team calls the groundbreaking procedure a “reverse ... Read More about A ‘super’ new heart surgery for a super kid
Personalized care for optic nerve gliomas helps Addison feel like ‘the star of the show’
Addison Gould loves visiting with her friend Tom. Every time her family makes the drive to Boston from their home on Cape Cod, the 5-year-old can’t wait to see him. “She runs across the bridge from the parking garage to clinic,” laughs her mother, Jillian. “I’ve never seen a kid so excited to go to ... Read More about Personalized care for optic nerve gliomas helps Addison feel like ‘the star of the show’