Matt and I are devastated to say the least. 5% of medulloblastoma tumors are MYC amplified. 1 in 2 million children have what Alexander has.
I am struggling with needing people to understand exactly what this means. A gross total resection does not mean cancer is even close to gone. It was the best that surgery could do.
We have no option but radiation with simultaneous chemo because recurrence would result in about 2% survival. We have one shot to save him. ONE. Matt and I believe we cannot take any gamble. We could not live with ourselves if we were wrong.
Read what radiation means for a small child cognitively. The link will give you the rundown on ALL the other pain he might face. Including secondary cancer.
Learning problems, often called cognitive impairments, usually show up within a few years of treatment. They may be seen as:
- Lower IQ scores, which can vary depending on the intensity of the treatment
- Lower academic achievement test scores
- Problems with memory and attention
- Poor hand-eye coordination
- Slowed development over time
- Behavior problems