I was first diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer in 2009. I was 25, newly married and it was Christmas Eve. The diagnosis came as a shock to me — I didn’t know anything about brain cancer.

"I just thought it was a death sentence."

In 2010 I had my first brain surgery; a couple of years later it spread to my shoulder and later it re-appeared in my brain. In 2018 my oncologist found tumours in my lungs, it was continuing to spread.

There were 12 tumours altogether — too many to treat or remove. I can’t describe what that day was like for us.

Then my doctor told me about the MoST clinical trial run by Garvan. I was accepted and offered the drug I needed to stay alive, at no cost. Can you imagine the impact that had? When you're given an option, you’re given hope.

Since starting the treatment, I feel great! My oncologist explained the drugs may stop working at some stage, but Garvan is working hard to find other treatments that could add years to my life.

If it wasn’t for the ongoing genomic research at Garvan, many people, including me, would have no options left.

I had no history of cancer in my family. I lived a healthy lifestyle. I try to tell people, if it happened to me, it could happen to you.

https://www.garvan.org.au/supp....ort-us/genomic-medic

Three college graduations. Three family weddings. The births of two grandchildren.


Andy Simon has cherished each of these milestones since he was diagnosed five years ago with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM grade 4), one of the deadliest and most challenging cancers to treat. GBM patients typically survive an average of 12-15 months. Only 6.8 percent of GBM patients survive five years, according to the National Brain Tumor Society.


Listen to him share his story about the surgery and clinical trial he went through with the team at UH Seidman Cancer Center that has helped him celebrate surviving brain cancer.


To learn more: https://www.UHhospitals.org/Andy5YearSurvivor

Heather Walker, the mother of two beautiful daughters, describes her fight to Maria Stephanos: battling a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer glioblastoma.

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Five-year-old Declan had an MRI to monitor a growth hormone deficiency. Afterward, his parents got shocking news: The scan showed Declan had a large craniopharyngioma brain tumor. The family found themselves at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, where Declan had brain surgery the next day. Watch neurosurgeon Alan Cohen and the pediatric neurosurgical team discuss how they removed this tumor. For more information: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neuro.

Alan Cohen, M.D., director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, discusses Pediatric Brain Tumors, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options and seeking second opinions. For more information: www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pedsneurosurgery.

Questions Answered
1. What is a pediatric brain tumor? 0:03
2. What are the symptoms and signs of a pediatric brain tumor? 0:37
3. What are the treatment options for pediatric brain tumors? 2:50
4. What are the newest minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of pediatric brain tumors? 3:55
5. Should one seek out a second opinion with a diagnosis of a pediatric brain tumor? 4:55
6. What is the prognosis for a child with a brain tumor? 5:59

The neuro-oncologist is an internationally recognized leader in the fight against one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer— glioblastoma. The UCI Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program also includes some of the country’s foremost experts in neurosurgery and radiation therapy. Together, they stop at nothing to keep brain cancer patients alive with individualized care plans, clinical trials and leading-edge care.

Learn more about:

UCI Health Comprehensive Brain Tumor Program
https://www.ucihealth.org/medi....cal-services/brain-t

Our brain tumor specialists
https://www.ucihealth.org/medi....cal-services/brain-t/our-team

Glioblastoma patients have options
https://www.ucihealth.org/blog..../2020/09/brain-tumor

Brain tumor research and clinical trials
https://www.ucihealth.org/medi....cal-services/brain-t/research-and-clinical-trials

Get patient stories, wellness tips, healthcare news and more on our Live Well blog: https://www.ucihealth.org/blog

UCI Health | https://www.ucihealth.org/

Integrative and radiation oncologist at UCSF, Shannon Fogh, MD, and Karen Wonders, PhD and Kim Smith, PhD of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance discuss the latest research on the benefits of exercise for brain tumor patients. Learn how exercise can improve quality of life and decrease symptom severity. Hear from survivors on the role that physical activity played in their coping and recovery after brain cancer treatment.

Part of the Living Well After Brain Cancer webinar series in the UCSF Sheri Sobrato Brisson Brain Cancer Survivorship Program.

To learn more about UCSF's support programs for brain tumor patients and their families, visit: https://braintumorcenter.ucsf.edu/supportive-care

Music Credit: https://www.FesliyanStudios.com