brain tumor

Posted by mary on April 29, 1999 at 10:00:12
Good Morning
My son christopher as a rare brain tumor (rhabdoid). He had surgery last
July to remove it. They only got half . He's had radiation on head and spine. He's on  baby pog chemo  
The drugs are:
Vincristine
Carboplatinum
Cyclophosphamide
Etoposide
G-CSF for bone marrow
He also takes Phenobarbital and Gabapentin for seizures
My question is he's starting to have alot of problems walking
Do these drugs cause nerve damage and will it get better after the chemo is done.
My son also lost most of his eye sight after surgery The tumor is wrapped around the optic nerve  but his eye's were ok before surgery
how could this happen?
Christopher is 4yrs old
Thank you
We're from Toronto Canada
Is there any New Treatments for brain tumors
Posted by CCF MD GS on April 29, 1999 at 10:22:39
Thanks for the question and I'm very sorry to hear about your son. Rhabdoid tumors are as you know rare and very serious tumors. The treatment that he is recieving is reasonable with the surgery, radiation and the baby POG. I'm not sure that any better protocols are available. The problem that he is having currently with his walking could come from several sources. The vincristine can cause a peripheral neuropathy that could cause sensory loss in the feet and make walking more difficult. You did not mention steroids but if he is on decadron, that can cause a myopathy (muscle weakness) that can also afect walking. If the tumor has spread then it could also be affecting an area of the brain that could affect his gait. Has he had a recent scan to determine the affects of his treatment yet? The radiation to brain and spine could also affect his gait but probably less so. In terms of his vision I guess some of the answer would be determined by the time course. If the vision became poor immediately post op then it is a problem related to the surgery. If the vision has become gradually after surgery then it could be related to tumor invassion or radiation to the optic nerve. I think you need a sit down with his neuro-oncologist to discuss these issues. We are soory to hear about your sons condition and wish you the best.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.
PS. You could also contact the American Brain Tumor Association out of Chicago to see if they have a support group for this type of tumor in Canada. I'm not sure of the number as I am writing this off campus, but you should be able to get it.

Posted by mary on April 29, 1999 at 12:29:20
Thank you for your fast reply
Christopher's last MRI was on March 3rd  and everything looks ok (no growth no change maybe even slightly smaller THANK GOD)  He's having another MRI on May 28th. He's vision went right after the surgery after the swelling went away
He could see me right after surgery before the swelling but after he couldnt see anything  It slowly got better  He now has no vision in his left eye and  some in his right he can still watch tv  if he's real close to the tv
He is not on any steroids now  He was on decadron before he started chemo
Will his walking get better after he stops vincristine   if thats whats effecting his walking?
What is gama knife surgery ( I don't  know the right spelling)
And could it help Christopher
Thanks again for your time
Mary and Christopher
Posted by CCF MD GS on April 30, 1999 at 08:26:34
Thanks for the update. The fact that the MRI is improved is good but we will keep our fingers crossed on the next scan. If the walking problem is secondary to a neuropathy from the vincristine then it should improve. I'm still not sure what to say otherwise about his vision. Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery is a different way of giving radiation. We give the radiation as a single treatment. There are size and shape limitations for gamma knife and it would be impossible to say if it could be used without looking at his scan but it is a possibility. I wish you and your son the best. Keep us updated