Boy's Eye Swells to Golf Ball Size: Rare Brain Tumor Baffles Doctors

A five-year-old schoolboy from Gloucester, Mason Hogg, has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain tumor, multiple meningiomas, located in unique areas around his eyes, skull, and neck. His condition is so unusual that doctors have stated he is the first child globally to have tumors in these specific locations, presenting significant treatment challenges.

Initially, Mason's mother, Sarah Mckeown, noticed his left eye swelling in July of the previous year. Despite initial medical advice to monitor it, the swelling worsened over three months, accompanied by pain. Subsequent scans revealed tumors behind his eyes and nose, with the growth behind his left eye compressing his optic nerve and severely impacting his vision.

The diagnosis was initially a grade 1 meningioma but was later upgraded to a more aggressive grade 2 due to its rapid progression and the need for immediate surgery. Surgeons performed a craniotomy in January of the current year to remove the tumor, which had also caused abnormal skull growth.

Further complications arose, including a paralyzed vocal cord and difficulty swallowing, along with a tumor found behind his ear and another in his neck. While Mason's eye remains slightly protruding and his vision limited, doctors fear the tumor may affect his right eye. Despite these challenges, Mason remains a happy and inquisitive child, with his family receiving significant community support.