Fred has Ependymoma, a very aggressive, fast-growing type of cancer. Cancer occurs when cells start to multiply and grow in places where they don't belong. As these cells grow, they form masses of tissue or tumors, and these tumors can cause all sorts of problems.
What's unusual about Fred's tumors is that they are like a spider web, branching out all over his brain. There are two larger tumors located on the top frontal lobe of his brain, one on each side. These tumors branch out inside his ventricles, making it impossible to remove them. This portion of the brain is called the cerebrum. It controls complex thinking, imagination, and reasoning.
There is a third large tumor near Fred's cerebellum, which is in the lower back of your head and controls coordination. The biggest problem is that this third main tumor is wrapped around Fred's brain stem, which carries messages to all his vital organs. Through your brain stem, your brain tells your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your stomach to digest food. Consequently, your brain stem is a critically important part of your body.
No one knows what causes cancer, and there is no cure. However, there are treatments that can make the tumors smaller and/or prevent them from getting bigger. These treatments can cause your hair to fall out and can make you very sick, but they also can really help. Fred underwent a round of treatments in February and March, 2008. The treatments were successful, and his tumors are smaller. We hope that these treatments have given us more time with our friend, Fred, but we also know that he is still a very sick little boy. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers, and support him as he continues to fight this terrible disease.
Visit KidsHealth.org for more information about your brain and how it works.
Visit Ependymoma.info to learn more about Fred's cancer type.
