A 7-year-old boy from the UK has been diagnosed with a rare form of an inoperable brain tumor after his parents noticed he was having trouble with coordination and balance. Aubrey Rothery’s initial symptoms included bumping into furniture and experiencing a loss of balance, which led to his diagnosis of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG).
DIPG is an aggressive, rare tumor that develops in the brainstem and largely affects children, with a grim prognosis as most patients survive less than one year, according to the National Library of Medicine. The tumor is believed to be linked to brain development, as it rarely occurs in adults and mostly affects children between the ages of 5 to 10.
Aubrey’s family expressed shock and devastation upon learning the news, with his father describing the diagnosis as harsh and the prognosis as bleak. Currently, Aubrey is undergoing treatment involving steroids and radiation, with the hope of slowing or stopping the tumor’s growth for a period of 6 to 18 months. The family is also exploring alternative treatments such as drug trials, natural medication, and craniosacral therapy to offer pain relief from cancer treatment.
The family has set up a GoFundMe to support Aubrey’s treatment, emphasizing the importance of hope in facing this challenging situation. They are determined to find a treatment that can help Aubrey over the longer term, and are grateful for the support they have received.
