Astrocytoma

Astrocytoma

Adam

In 1989 I was 5 years old and I was brought to Mass General Hospital while I was in a coma. I was diagnosed with Astrocytoma (A primarily pediatric brain tumor located on the brain stem, near the Petuitary Gland and benign, but deemed unremoveable) . A shunt was placed and I started Radiation Therapy. I continued to have MRIs to keep an eye on things.

I was 18 years old in 2005 and the tumor began to grow. I went to MGH for a biopsy and had the same doctor I did when I was 5. One year of oral Chemo Therapy was able to keep the Tumor under control. I continued having MRIs regularly to keep an eye on things. In 2012 a Meningioma was found on the left side. It was on the surface, not malignant and easy to remove. This one was operated on by a doctor who specialized in this type of tumor and he believed it was caused by the radiation treatment I had when I was 5. Sometime in 2013 a cyst was found near the original tumor. A shunt was placed for the cyst, but had failed. The shunt that was placed in 1989 was still working. I was having left sided weakness and slight vision problems. I began going to physical therapy locally.

At the beginning of 2014 I went into MGH for surgery to get rid of the cyst and any pressure it was causing. Any left sided weakness I had did not get better. At the end of April 2014 I had surgery again on the cyst. This time it was successful. The doctor that worked on this cyst is the same doctor I had in 1989. I continue to go to physical therapy now and my physical abilities are improving. I’m sure this tumor will never bother me again, though I still have regular MRIs and visits with my doctor just to keep an eye on things.

Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.