Oncology experts at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi’s premier private healthcare facility, have given hope to the family of a young child living with one of the forms of brain cancer that can often result in the worst outcome.
The 12-year-old Emirati from Sharjah was diagnosed in January 2017 with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer that is difficult to treat and often fatal. After being referred to Boston Children’s Hospital in USA, the boy underwent surgery. Despite their best efforts, surgeons were unable to remove the entire tumour and he quickly deteriorated following the procedure.
His distraught family was advised to take him home and receive palliative care. But upon returning to the UAE, they decided to consult the team at Burjeel Hospital, in a last attempt to save their son.
The oncology team at Burjeel Hospital, led by Dr Zainul Aabideen, Consultant in Paediatrics and Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, felt there was hope.
“After discussing his condition with his family at length, and consulting with a specialist neuro-oncologist in London, I felt there was a chance we could extend and improve the boy’s life. We have implemented a treatment plan that includes daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Burjeel” said Dr Aabideen.
“But what was most crucial to his quality of life was concurrent physiotherapy. The boy was not walking unaided when he came to us; now he is able to walk and run”.
During his treatment, he has been able to visit various leisure places in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Now, he is staying at his home independently most of the time and visiting Burjeel Hospital once in every two weeks for regular treatment.
Recent MRI scans show the tumour has decreased in size and the child has shown visible improvement under Dr. Aabideen’s team. The specialists are now consulting further with London experts as to whether further surgery may enable them to completely remove the tumour.
“We have gone from a hopeless situation for our son, and preparing for palliative care, to seeing a great improvement in his quality of life. We are eternally grateful to the team at Burjeel Hospital for giving him a chance for a normal life,” said the boy’s mother.
When asked what he does at home, the boy said, “I am enjoying my life by playing with my sister and brother at home. I want to be with my family and do fun things every time.”
