Teenager's rare brain tumor nearly missed by doctors

A 19-year-old woman named Ella-Louise Moroney is confronting a life-threatening diagnosis of an aggressive, cancerous brain tumor, which was almost overlooked by medical professionals. She had been experiencing persistent migraines for two months, yet was sent home from the hospital on two separate occasions with only pain medication.

It was only when her mother insisted on further tests that a scan revealed a fast-growing, malignant tumor in her frontal lobe. Even after this discovery, hospital staff reportedly attempted to discharge her again. Her condition was particularly challenging as the tumor is extremely rare in adults, with her consultant and oncologist never having encountered it in someone her age.

Transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, she was informed that without urgent surgery, she had only weeks to live. She underwent surgery on February 17, where most of the tumor was successfully removed. A subsequent biopsy confirmed a Grade 4 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), a type more commonly found in children under five.

Ms. Moroney is now preparing for an intensive treatment plan at UCL Hospital in London, including eight weeks of chemotherapy, followed by proton radiotherapy, and another eight weeks of chemotherapy. While awaiting treatment to begin in early April, she is undergoing egg harvesting. Despite the immense challenges, she remains determinedly positive, using humor to cope and appreciating the efforts of her medical team.