(Kyle's mom, Christin, emailed us the following bit on Kyle's first day of treatment.)
Well, it is finally Tuesday morning. Kyle and I are just about to leave for UW Medical Center for his first day of "brain bump zapping". Kyle had his daily 2:00 AM turkey sandwich (editor's note: Kyle is taking steroids to reduce the swelling in his brain; the steroids also give him a ferocious appetite.) and then chatted with my mom while snuggling in her bed. He finally coaxed her into a game of Yahtzee at 6:30 AM. In true Kyle fashion he rolled a Yahtzee on his first roll of the game. He then proceeded to roll two more Yahtzees during the same game (does anyone else roll three Yahtzees in one game?). Kyle had his best score ever of 587 points. I can't think of a more appropriate sign for him that today will be a good day.
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This site is intended to serve as a source of information on Kyle's condition, current progress and as a community resource to focus all of our good thoughts, prayers and wishes for the best recovery.
CURRENT NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS FOR KYLE
current news and upcoming events for Kyle can be found at: www.kyleroger.blogspot.com
KYLE'S TREATMENT PLAN - FEBRUARY 2007
Kyle's treatment begins on Tuesday, February 20th. He will receive radiation for six weeks and participate in a clinical trial, PBTC-014. During the trial, Kyle will be given the experimental drug Zarnestra. The purpose of this medicine will be be to augment the radiotherapy and hopefully inhibit new tumor growth. You can read more about this clincial trial at: http://www.pbtc.org/public/PBTC-014%20Lay%20Summary.pdf
Kyle's oncologist, Dr. James Olson, is affiliated with Children's Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and UW Medical Center. You can read more about Dr. Olson at: http://myprofile.cos.com/JOlson22
Kyle will receive his radiation treatment at the UW Medical Center; all other treatment, including the clincial trial, will take place at Children's Hospital. During his treatment, Kyle and his family will be staying in Seattle.
Kyle's Diagnosis - Brain Stem Glioma
Definition: The brain stem consists of the midbrain, pons and medulla located deep in the posterior part of the brain. Tumors that arise along these structures are called brain stem gliomas. Most brain stem gliomas occur in the pons ("pontine gliomas"). The pontine tumors have a poorer prognosis than the less common midbrain and medullary gliomas. Incidence: Brain stem tumors account for 10 percent of pediatric brain tumors. The peak incidence is between ages 5 and 10. Clinical Features and Symptoms: Pontine brain stem tumors affect the cranial nerves, causing symptoms related to the nerves that supply the muscles of the eye and face, and muscles involved in swallowing. These symptoms include double vision, inability to close the eyelids completely, dropping one side of the face, and difficulty chewing and swallowing. The tumor also affects the "long tracks" of the brain, with resultant weakness of the arms or legs and difficulty with speech and walking. Symptoms usually worsen rapidly because the tumor is rapidly growing. Tumors arising in the midbrain usually affect only the nerves supplying the eye muscles. They also block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, causing increased pressure with headaches and vomiting. Tumors involving the medulla usually cause swallowing problems and weakness of the arms and legs. Treatment Strategies: Surgery is not generally possible because these tumors (especially pontine gliomas) are widely spread within the brain stem and can not be removed. Surgery may be possible in the few patients where the tumor is very localized. Radiation therapy has been the main treatment approach. Current Research: To improve the outcome of pontine gliomas, researchers are studying drugs that may enhance the effect of radiation therapy. For midbrain and medullary tumors, the new radiation techniques allow more localized therapy. Kyle will be taking part in the Phase II Trial of Zarnestra, also known as R115777. This drug belongs to a group of drugs calle farnesyl transferase inhibitors, or FSIs. FSIs are made to slow down cell growth.
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