Latest news with #brainTumour
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Aberdeen scanner study could improve brain tumour treatments
Scientists at the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian have secured funding to generate never-before-seen brain tumour images with the aim of improving of all glioblastoma patients die within 15 months of diagnosis even after surgery, radio and scans used to monitor a tumour's behaviour can be imprecise but it is hoped the Field Cycling Imaging (FCI) scanner - developed in Aberdeen - will give clinicians better £350,000 in support - from the Scottish government - will fund a trial which will be carried out on a group of 18 patients. MRI scanners were invented at the University of Aberdeen 50 years ago, but the new FCI scanner is the only one of its type used on patients anywhere in the can work at low and ultra-low magnetic fields which means it is capable of seeing how organs are affected by diseases in ways that were not previously can vary the strength of the magnetic field during the patient's scan - acting like multiple scanners and extracting more information about the new technology can detect tumours without having to inject dye into the body, which can be associated with kidney damage and allergic reactions in some team of doctors and scientists involved will scan glioblastoma patients undergoing chemotherapy after surgery and chemoradiotherapy. It is hoped the research will establish that, unlike conventional MRI scans, FCI can tell the difference between tumour growth and progression, and "pseudo-progression" which looks like a tumour but is not cancerous Anne Kiltie, chair in clinical oncology at the University of Aberdeen, who is leading the study, said: "We already have evidence that FCI is effective in detecting tumours in breast tissue and brain damage in stroke patients."Applying this exciting new technology to glioblastoma patients could give us a much more accurate and detailed picture of what is going on in their brain."If we can detect true tumour progression early, we can swap the patient to a potentially more beneficial type of chemotherapy."Providing certainty will also reduce anxiety for both patients and relatives and improve the quality of life of patients."Prof Kiltie's role at the university is fully funded by the charity Friends of ANCHOR through its Dream Big executive Sarah-Jane Hogg welcomed the "really promising" development and thanked donors and fundraisers for their support.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I thought I was heading for the menopause...but my symptoms were really a sign of brain cancer
A mother-of-one who blamed her brain fog and memory lapses on the menopause has told of her devastation at being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Jane Roberts, 46, began experiencing confusion and forgetfulness earlier this year, but assumed it was a harmless symptom of perimenopause. She mentioned the issues during a GP appointment—only for her doctor to raise concerns it could be early-onset dementia. A CT scan soon revealed the real cause: a malignant brain tumour. On March 21, 2025, Jane was diagnosed with a glioma. The standard treatment for this type of cancer is surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. But in Jane's case, a follow-up scan showed the mass was located in her thalamus—deep in the centre of her brain—making it inoperable. The mother-of-one, from Liverpool, is now awaiting the results of an MRI scan to determine how advanced the cancer is. She has since begun sharing her story on TikTok in a bid to raise awareness, with some videos racking up more than 100,000 views. Jane hopes her experience will encourage others not to dismiss unusual symptoms, no matter how minor they seem. In a video, Jane explained how the ordeal began: 'I went to the GP with what I thought were perimenopause symptoms—part of that was a bit of brain fog and memory loss. 'She jumped on it straight away. The GP was so concerned by what I said about my memory that she thought I had early-onset dementia.' But after referring her for a CT scan, her doctor delivered the devastating news: it wasn't dementia—it was a 'nasty brain tumour'. While Jane is still waiting for an MRI to confirm how advanced the cancer is, the tumour is located deep in the brain's thalamus—described by doctors as the 'central system where everything goes in and out'. Even after seeking a second opinion at the renowned Cleveland Clinic, she was told surgery was not an option. In a more recent update, she told followers: 'I'm waiting for my next scan towards the end of June to see how it's progressing—whether it's grown or stopped. 'All the next steps—biopsy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy—carry a risk because of where the tumour is.' In a more recent update, she told followers: 'I'm waiting for my next scan towards the end of June to see how it's progressing—whether it's grown or stopped Her 10-year-old daughter has even given the tumour a nickname—'Betty'—after the pair had a heartbreaking conversation about her diagnosis. Gliomas are brain tumours that form in the glial cells—supportive cells that surround and protect nerve cells in the brain. Around 2,500 people are diagnosed with gliomas in the UK each year, with about 24,000 cases annually in the US. They make up roughly a quarter of all brain tumours and can range from slow-growing to aggressive, fast-growing forms. Symptoms vary depending on where the tumour is, but can include headaches, memory loss, seizures and changes in mood or behaviour. when a glioma is inoperable—because it's located deep in the brain or near vital structures—doctors may focus on shrinking or slowing its growth instead. This is typically done with targeted radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which can help relieve symptoms and extend survival, but is rarely curative. In some cases, patients may also be offered palliative care to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life. In a video posted last week, Jane shared that 'waiting is the hardest part' as she continues to hope for an update. In an Instagram post, she added: 'Doing nothing is a really tough spot to be in. It's a completely mental game. A weird kind of torture. 'You might die, you might not, but you probably will—but we can't be sure when, it might be soon.' In another video, filmed just days after she was told the tumour was inoperable, she said: 'I've woken up feeling really sad today. 'It is the reality. I don't know enough. I don't know if radio and chemo can fully remove it or if this is just going to be a case of shrinking it. 'Then it is going to grow again, then we're doing this and this is just going to be my life until it gets me. It's just hard to stay really strong.' Despite everything, Jane has been trying to remain positive—sharing her thoughts and feelings in regular updates. In a post from a week ago, she wrote: 'It takes all my energy to keep fighting the negative thoughts and the messages of Mr Doom and Gloom (my surgeon) continually echo in my ears. It's such a battle to stay happy or even neutral.' 'But I do know that whilst Betty (yes we named my tumour) is here to stay at least for now that I am capable of being happy throughout this shit show. So going to try and embrace the lows as they will propel me to the highs.' In her most recent Instagram post, she said she is appreciating the little things like going to a hair appointment. 'I just assumed I'd start treatment and lose my hair and it would all happen so quickly. 'But I'm a few hair appointments in now and brave enough to book another in 6 weeks,' she wrote in the caption.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Baskets for a cause: Kumar Classic Tournament hits 12-year milestone
It's been over a decade since Jay Kumar passed away after battling an aggressive brain tumour, and he's still being remembered. CTV'S Hannah Schmidt reports.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
‘Almost planning my funeral': Former London Majors star living ‘new normal' after brain tumour
Paul Lytwynec was 26 years old when his life turned upside down. 'I had shock, fear, every emotion you can think of,' said Lytwynec, when learning of a brain tumour diagnosis. The former baseball star with Western, Fanshawe, and the London Majors had just started a career in policing with the OPP in 2018, when he had a seizure at work. Paul Lytwynec Paul Lytwynec was an all-star shortstop with the London Majors, Western Mustangs and Fanshawe Falcons before being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) Months later he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. 'I went through chemo, I went through radiation, and I had two surgeries,' said Lytwynec. 'I was almost planning my funeral, thinking like my life's over. Luckily, I had a good support system. My family was awesome and my mom's a nurse, so she was able to be a good advocate for me.' Seven years after diagnosis, he's not sure exactly how the tumour formed. He believes it's possible it was in his head when he was born, and it slowly grew to the point where he had a seizure. 'It was basically 16 months of treatments,' said Lytwynec. 'I had to stop work, stop baseball, stop everything, and now I'm living my new normal. I still have to go for regular MRI's and just fingers crossed, hope everything goes well.' Dr. Joe Megyesi, a neurosurgeon at London Health Sciences Centre, University Campus performed the surgery. London Brain Tumour Walk Dr. Joe Megyesi is a neurosurgeon at London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ont. and operates on two to three brain tumour patients per week. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) Megyesi said he operates on two-to-three patients a week with a brain tumour ranging from children to young adults, to seniors. 'Some patients are very disabled before surgery and the surgery can help them considerably,' said Megyesi. 'So that is very satisfying when that happens. Other patients need to go on and have more intense treatment with radiation and chemotherapy, and it can be a struggle for them.' The Brain Tumour registry estimates that 27 new primary brain tumours are diagnosed every day in Canada. 'Because of having the seizure, we were able to find it and then treat it,' said Lytwynec. 'Some people aren't so lucky. You don't have a symptom and then all of a sudden you find out it's too late and it's too big.' In certain types of brain tumours, the treatments have improved and there are more long-term survivors, according to Megyesi. 'In certain types of brain tumours, sadly, the treatment has actually not changed the outcomes as much as we would like.' That's why he believes fundraising and events hosted by the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, which focus on research and awareness, are so important. 'As people grow older, they need to be aware of a new onset of headaches after the age of 50 or so, especially if they're persistent,' said Megyesi. 'It's important to have that checked and your family doctor can start that process. If something shows up on a scan or something, then you would be referred to a neurosurgeon or a neurologist.' The 2025 London Brain Tumour Walk blew away its fundraising goal. Their website had that total set at $75,000 and the total at the time of the walk was over $138,000. 'I have a brain tumour team now called 'Every day we Lyt', with a play on my last name and we've raised $26,000,' said Lytwynec. 'It's been a good experience giving back and I'm now part of the organizing committee for the walk. It's nice to see other survivors, people that have overcome a brain tumour. People associate a brain tumour with death and there's people that have actually lived through it and got through it.' More than 20 of those survivors gathered for a photo Saturday prior to the annual walk. London Brain Tumour Walk Brain Tumour survivors gather for a photo at Springbank Gardens in London, Ont. on June 14, 2025 at the annual London Brain Tumour Walk (Brent Lale/CTV News London) 'This means a lot to me because the Brain Tumour Foundation is for patients, but it also gives me a sense that even the patients that are challenging, they have some hope when they come here,' said Megyesi. 'They see people that have the same kind of problem and the people that look after them. I think the camaraderie is very important for everybody in their in their journey through this devastating disease.' Brain cancer can affect anyone, and it doesn't care about your age or whether you are a star athlete. 'Anyone that survives one of these is a lucky person,' said Megyesi. Lytwynec is one of those lucky ones, who has not only survived, but is back to work full time and even can play baseball again.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Erin McNaught shares health update after her seven-month-old baby undergoes surgery to remove tumour
Erin McNaught has shared a health update with her fans, after her seven-month-old son Obi underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour. The 43-year-old Australian model shared a photo to social media on Saturday which captured her kissing her young son on the chest while he lay on a hospital bed and captioned it with some heartwarming words. 'Today Obi had the surgery to remove the tumour. The amazing team here are very happy with the way it went,' Erin began. 'While it's too early to tell much more, we are hoping this will have been his biggest hurdle. She went on to thank her followers for their support during this difficult time. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Taking each day as it comes but oh so thankful for today. Thank you everyone for all your beautiful messages of support.' Earlier this week, Erin and her partner Stace Cadet shared devastating news about their son Obi Brooks Kotaras, revealing he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The couple, who welcomed their first child together in October last year, issued an emotional joint statement on Thursday morning, expressing their anguish over Obi's recent health battle. 'For the last few weeks we have noticed a rapid decline in Obi's behaviour and happiness,' the statement began. 'He was having problems eating, sleeping and most recently, keeping his head straight.' They explained that after noticing the worrying changes they took Obi in for an MRI scan under the advice of their doctor. The scan, conducted earlier this week, revealed the shocking diagnosis - a large tumour located on the right side of his brain. 'At about 6:00pm Tuesday night we met with a neurosurgeon who broke the heartbreaking news,' they said. Earlier this week, Erin and her partner Stace Cadet shared devastating news about their son Obi Brooks Kotaras, revealing he was diagnosed with a brain tumour 'We are absolutely shattered and the last few days have been our hardest days.' The former Miss Universe Australia and her partner went on to praise the team at Queensland Children's Hospital, who are now working with them to determine a treatment plan. 'Our team at the Queensland Children Hospital have been incredible and remain hopeful that we can remove the mass and get Obi healthy and happy pending the results,' they added. The post was flooded with messages of support from family, friends and fans, including Erin's ex-husband, who she shares two children with - sons Evander, seven, and Ennio, five. The harrowing update follows what was initially a joyful start to parenthood for Erin and Stace, who confirmed the birth of their son exclusively to Daily Mail Australia back in December following his birth in October. The couple shared at the time that they had named him Obi and were over the moon to bring him home. 'We are so in love with him, we can't believe he's finally here,' Stace said in December. The former MTV host also previously opened up about her difficult pregnancy, revealing the journey had been 'a little touch and go at times,' with health complications in the final trimester.
