Home / Health / Boy's Headaches Lead to Shock Brain Tumour Discovery
Boy's Headaches Lead to Shock Brain Tumour Discovery
24 Sep
Summary
- An optician's visit revealed a boy's brain tumour causing optic nerve swelling.
- Haisam underwent emergency surgery, chemotherapy, and proton beam therapy.
- The boy and friends are running a mini marathon for brain tumour research.
A young boy's persistent headaches were ultimately diagnosed as a ping-pong ball-sized germinoma tumour after an optician identified swelling in his optic nerves. Initially, his mother's concerns about Haisam Raja's well-being were attributed to tiredness or a viral infection by a local GP.
Urgent scans at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre confirmed the tumour's presence, which was obstructing fluid drainage in his brain. Haisam underwent emergency surgery in April 2023 to relieve pressure, followed by extensive treatment including major brain surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy, and proton beam therapy.
Now, three years later, Haisam is reportedly doing well and attending regular check-ups. He is participating in the Robin Hood Mini Marathon on September 27th, running 1.5 miles with eight friends to raise funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Research.
Brain Tumour Research highlights that brain tumours are responsible for one in three childhood cancer deaths in the UK, with minimal improvement in survival rates since 1997. The charity stresses the critical need for increased research investment.
