Kristy's Story...More Information on New Tumor

Here is an article on the new tumor found in the pons area of the brain. Michael will be treated with a drug called VC16 in place of the Temadol. If there are survivors of this type of brain tumor we need to hear from you.

Clinical Features and Symptoms

Pontine brain stem tumors affect the cranial nerves, causing symptoms related to the nerves that supply the muscles of the eye and face, and muscles involved in swallowing. These symptoms include double vision, inability to close the eyelids completely, dropping one side of the face, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. The tumor also affects the "long tracks" of the brain, with resultant weakness of the arms or legs and difficulty with speech and walking. Symptoms usually worsen rapidly because the tumor is rapidly growing.
Tumors arising in the midbrain usually affect only the nerves supplying the eye muscles. They also block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, causing increased pressure with headaches and vomiting. Tumors involving the medulla usually cause swallowing problems and weakness of the arms and legs.

Survival Rates

Pontine Gliomas - The patients' symptoms often improve dramatically during or after six weeks of irradiation. Unfortunately, problems usually recur after six to nine months, and progress rapidly. Survival past 12 to 14 months is uncommon, and new approaches to treating these tumors are urgently needed.
Midbrain/Medullary Gliomas - With the use of radiation therapy, these patients often to well. Long-term survival ranges from 65 to 90 percent for brain stem tumors that arise from the midbrain or medulla.

Treatment Strategies

Surgery is not generally possible because these tumors (especially pontine gliomas) are widely spread within the brain stem and can not be removed. Surgery may be possible in the few patients where the tumor is very localized.
Radiation therapy has been the main treatment approach