Brain Cancer Awareness

May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month

Zoefia was diagnosed with Pineoblastoma when was 2 years old. – Pineoblastoma is a type of cancerous tumor {malignant} that arise in the area of the pineal gland. It is rare, aggressive and fast growing! The exact diagnosis is critical for choosing the correct therapy. Pineal tumors typically present with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid pressure within the brain. Individuals with Pineoblastoma live an average of 20 months after their diagnosis, and 10% of affected individuals are alive 5 years after their diagnosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of brain and spinal cord tumors may develop gradually or appear suddenly from events such as seizures.

Headaches (which may worsen with time)
Nausea and/or vomiting
Crossed eyes or blurred vision
Balance problems
Behavioral changes
Seizures
Chronic drowsiness

Cancer Facts

Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children.

3,657 children are estimated to be living with a brain tumor in the U.S.

Only 4% of federal government cancer research funding goes to study pediatric cancer.

Approximately 4.3% of all brain tumors cases diagnosed each year occur in children ages 0-14

An estimated 3,540 new cases of childhood brain tumors are expected to be diagnosed in 2020

Brain tumors are the leading cause of solid tumor cancer death in children between the ages of 0-14.

There has never been a drug developed and approved specifically for malignant pediatric brain tumors.

Brain tumors are the most common solid cancer in persons age 0-14 years, as well as when expanded to ages 0-19 years.

More than any other cancer, brain tumors can have lasting and life-altering physical, cognitive, and psychological impacts on a patient’s life.

The five approved drugs for brain tumors have provided only incremental improvements to patient survival, and mortality rates remain little changed over the past 30 years.

Each year, approximately 70,000-170,000 cancer patients are diagnosed with brain metastases (metastatic brain tumors/secondary brain tumors), while ~100,000 will die every year as the result of brain metastases. The incidence of brain metastases appears to be increasing.