Diagnosis

The final pathology results came in today, and the tumor has been diagnosed as craniopharyngioma. This is a benign tumor that comprises 9% of all pediatric brain tumors. It does not respond to chemotherapy, so the next step will be a surgical resection (removal.) We have an appointment with the neurosurgeon at 9:30am on Monday to discuss the plan for the surgery including when it will happen, and how they plan to address the areas that are close to critical parts of the brain.

The basics that we know are that the tumor is very close to, or touching, her optic nerve, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus. During tumor resection, tumors either peel away easily from adjacent tissue, or adhere to the tissue. The team will not know how it interfaces until they are in surgery, and that will determine how much tissue they can remove. Any remaining tumor would typically be treated with radiation, but Carly is too young for this. In the ideal case, and the one that we are envisioning, all of the tumor will be removed and there will be no damage to any parts of her brain. Should there be any remaining tumor they will monitor it with hope that it does not grow until she is a few years older when she can tolerate radiation.


Here is a picture of Carly today and as you can see she is doing great and is feeling all of the love that you are sending.

Love, Brad