Good Morning.
Today, with a heavier heart than I thought possible, (even after hearing that CaseyAnne's stent was still within, where it was no longer supposed to be); I now write to say that I have learned that my girlfriends grandchild has cancer.
...Quoting from the CaringBridge notes: "diagnosed with Pontine Glioma on April 27, 2007. This type of tumor is located in the back of the neck in the Brain Stem. Because of the location of the tumor the doctors don't want to cause more damage by going in and taking it out. The Brain Stem controls functions like breathing, heart rate, swallowing and chewing. They feel that if they took out the "bad" stuff, they would also take some of the "good" stuff with it."
http://www.caringbridge.org/index.htm
(You can check out Caring Bridge as a guest at the above website, and read a few links there too)...
Please say a few extra prayers.
Anyone wanting access to this wonderful childs own website there, please drop me a line with your email address; as I do not have everyones email. Have you had experience with CaringBridge already. I am only trying to protect this family from any possible further crises. They need love, support, and daily reassurances of our Faith as well as their own; nothing more, nothing less...
This child, along with two parents, grandparents, and great~grandparents as well will need all of our wonderful prayers...
XOXO
Anne
Anne Geddes pic taken from here:
http://groups.msn.com/gedichtengroep/annegeddes.msnw
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Here is a website from Boston Childrens Hospital that explains this tumor... (And I have not, as yet, read anything that does not include the word 'diffuse' in it). But I do think this info is very close to what I had been told on the phone too.
From
http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site762/mainpageS762P0.html
My Child Has Pontine Glioma
Programs that treat this condition
Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors
What is diffuse pontine glioma?
(brainstem glioma)
A diffuse pontine glioma or brainstem glioma is a high-grade, or malignant, tumor. This type of tumor arises in the glial (supportive) tissue of the lowest, stem-like part of the brain, which controls many vital functions. Diffuse pontine gliomas account for 10-15 percent of all childhood central nervous system tumors. The median age at diagnosis is 5 to 9 years old, and these tumors occur with equal frequency in boys and girls.
As you read further below, you will find general information about diffuse pontine gliomas. If you would like to view summary information about brain tumors first, see the overview on brain tumors.
What causes diffuse pontine glioma?
There are no known factors or conditions that predispose an individual to the development of diffuse pontine gliomas.
What are the symptoms of a diffuse pontine glioma?
Diffuse pontine gliomas generally have a short duration (median 1 month) of symptoms prior to diagnosis, reflecting the rapid growth of these tumors. The following are the most common symptoms of a diffuse pontine glioma, however each child may experience symptoms differently. Common symptoms may include:
rapidly developing inability to control eye movements, facial expressions, chewing and swallowing, due to problems in the cranial nerves
weakness in the arms and legs
impaired ability to walk
hydrocephalus (build up of fluid pressure in the brain)
symptoms of increased pressure within the brain. These symptoms include:
headache (generally upon awakening in the morning)
vomiting
fatigue
The symptoms of a brain tumor may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
How are diffuse pontine gliomas classified?
Gliomas are heterogeneous tumors that are classified according to their most aggressive appearing elements. The World Health Organization classification scheme includes 4 grades of glioma. The pathological grade of diffuse pontine gliomas is not always established. Only 25-30 percent of these tumors are biopsied. Their clinical course is most consistent with their being the most aggressive form of astrocytic tumor or the grade IV glioblastoma multiforme. These tumors are characterized as being of astrocytic origin but having increased numbers of cells (hypercellularity), abnormal cells and nuclei (cytologic and nuclear atypia), increased proliferation of cells (mitoses), increased cell death (necrosis) and increased growth of blood vessels (vascular endothelial proliferation). These are aggressive tumors that infiltrate adjacent normal brain tissue and have a significant tendency to spread outside of the central nervous system.
How is a diffuse pontine glioma diagnosed?
A diagnosis of diffuse pontine glioma is most commonly made from characteristic radiologic studies. The location of these tumors and their tendency to diffusely infiltrate normal tissue makes biopsy a high-risk procedure. Biopsies have been performed when the symptoms and other tests do not seem typical for diffuse pontine glioma.
Diagnostic procedures for diffuse pontine glioma may include:
physical examination
computerized tomography scan (also called a CT or CAT scan) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called slices), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.
A CT scan can assess the density of tumor tissue, compared to normal brain tissue, as well as establish its mass effect (the effect of an additional space occupying mass within the closed cavity of the skull on the normal brain). Diffuse pontine gliomas most often appear as round masses that expand the pons. When intravenous dyes are injected, these tumors avidly absorb dye and therefore are referred to as enhancing lesions
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. MRI provides greater anatomical detail than CT scan and can better distinguish between tumor, tumor-related swelling and normal tissue. The typical MRI appearance of a diffuse pontine glioma is a round mass that expands the pons. When intravenous dye is administered, it displays a ring of enhancement. There can be growth up or down the brainstem, axial growth, or growth forward or backward out of the brainstem, exophytic growth.
magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) - a test done along with MRI at specialized facilities that can detect the presence of particular organic compounds produced by the body's metabolism within sample tissue that can identify tissue as normal or tumor, and may be able to distinguish between glial tumors and tumors of neuronal origin
What are the treatments for a diffuse pontine glioma?
Specific treatment for a diffuse pontine glioma will be determined by your child's physician based on:
your child's age, overall health, and medical history
type, location, and size of the tumor
extent of the disease
your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
how your child's doctors expects the disease to progress
your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
radiation therapy - the primary therapy for newly diagnosed diffuse pontine glioma, radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (radiation) from a specialized machine to damage or kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
Conventional limited field radiation produces responses in 75 percent of patients with diffuse pontine gliomas. These responses are short-lived however, with a median duration of less than 6 months. Several trials to increase the dose have been performed and none has improved survival.
There is no surgical option in the treatment of these tumors. Experimental chemotherapy delivered concurrent to radiation therapy is actively being investigated in the treatment of diffuse pontine gliomas. Several trials evaluating new agents such as thalidomide and temazolamide are either underway or recently completed. In addition, there are trials evaluating whether improved response to traditional chemotherapeutic agents may be obtained via novel delivery systems to more directly introduce the drugs into the brain. Data on the efficacy of these regimens should be available soon. To date, no chemotherapy regimen has been demonstrated to increase survival in diffuse pontine gliomas.
As with all pediatric cancers, care should be delivered at specialized centers where multidisciplinary teams can provide not only expert diagnostics and experienced medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, but also psychosocial support, neuro-psychological testing and specialized school plans, all delivered in a child- and family-sensitive and friendly environment.
How are side effects managed?
Side effects in the treatment of diffuse pontine gliomas can arise from radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy often produces inflammation, which can temporarily exacerbate symptoms and dysfunction. To control this inflammation steroids are sometimes necessary.
Some of the chemotherapy agents are associated with fatigue, diarrhea, constipation and headache. These side effects can be effectively managed under most circumstances with standard medical approaches.
Many specialized brain tumor treatment centers have now added staff who are expert in complementary or alternative medicine. These treatments, including acupuncture/acupressure, therapeutic touch, massage, herbs and dietary recommendations, can also help to control pain and side effects of therapy.
What is the expected outcome after treatment for diffuse pontine glioma?
The prognosis for diffuse pontine gliomas remains poor. Median survival is less than 1 year and the 2-year survival rate is less than 20 percent.
What about progressive or recurrent disease?
Clinical trials and experimental therapies are available for patients with relapsed high-grade gliomas at specialized centers. Current trials include novel medications as well as new methods for the delivery of more traditional agents.
What is the latest research on diffuse pontine glioma?
Children's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are conducting numerous research studies that will help clinicians better understand and treat diffuse pontine glioma. For more information on current research, see the Brain Tumor Program.
Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston.
