A 4-year-old boy named Billy Thompson’s “separation anxiety” turned out to be signs of a deadly brain tumour that killed him within months of being diagnosed. In the beginning, Billy started experiencing night terrors and suffering from stomach aches.
Billie loved going to school, but his parents said he suddenly started having anxiety and showing resistance. But by late October, he was unsteady on his feet, increasingly frustrated, and constantly drooling. He was taken to a hospital for a check-up as well, but all his tests were clear.
Slowly, he even had a hard time walking and started struggling. Doctors told Billie’s parents he was simply suffering from anxiety. However, a week later, he fell out of the car and down the stairs, where thorough investigations began.
After scans, Billie’s diagnosis of DIPG came through. According to experts, DIPG is a rare, aggressive, fast-growing type of brain tumour that occurs in the pons – a part of the brainstem essential for vital functions. Primarily affecting children between 5 and 10 years old, DIPG is almost always fatal, with a survival rate of less than 1 per cent at 5 years. Billy was treated with radiotherapy and steroids, which left him with terrible side effects, headaches, and sickness. However, despite the treatment, Billie passed away soon after.
What is DIPG?
DIPGs are high-grade glioma tumours that begin in cells in your child’s central nervous system (CNS, which includes cells in your brain and spinal cord. These tumours grow fast and spread rapidly throughout the CNS. The condition’s name provides clues about the type of tumour, including why it is so difficult to treat. According to experts, DIPG is not a single mass of cells, but the cancer cells in the tumour are diffuse or spread out alongside healthy cells. It is difficult to remove these tumours through surgery without harming any healthy tissue.
Signs and symptoms of DIPG
- While DIPG grows fast, its symptoms progress rapidly.
- Eye problems, which include blurry vision, seeing double, uncontrollable or odd eye movements
- Headaches, especially morning headaches
- Trouble with walking and muscle coordination
- Droopy eyelids or drooping on one side of the face
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech
