Patient Stories

Brain Tumors
Familial Cancer Clinic
Hepatoblastoma
Leukemia
Neuroblastoma
Optic Glioma
Sarcoma
Stem Cell Transplant

Brain Tumors

A Marathon Brain Surgery
John Mordach Jr. was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor that was successfully removed with surgery. The teen's dedication to regaining his strength and balance after surgery inspired his father, John Mordach Sr., to accomplish his goal of completing the Chicago marathon. Mordach's family also made a long-haul commitment to combat brain tumors by establishing a fund to support University of Chicago neurosurgical research.

Familial Cancer Clinic

Familial Cancer Clinic Helps Families Make the Most Important Decision
Marc Myers survived a bout with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as a child. But years later, Marc's growth slowed, and he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. However, the decision to treat his deficiency was complicated by a family history of colon cancer. If Marc inherited the cancer mutation, he could not have growth hormone treatment. Dr. Kenan Onel recommended a full assessment at the Familial Cancer Clinic to determine the best options for Marc.

Hepatoblastoma

Novel Technique Used to Remove Tumor in Infant's Liver
Just months after her birth, infant Chloe Lobins had surgery to remove part of her liver due to hepatoblastoma, a type of liver cancer. Little Chloe is believed to be the smallest infant ever to undergo a massive liver resection for a primary liver cancer.

Leukemia

A Young Boy Bravely Embarks on a Long Odyssey with Leukemia
Coleson Arends was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at age 3, but has courageously fought back with the help of his family and medical team. "Coleson's team at the University of Chicago has become our extended family," said Coleson's mom, Chelle. "They know us as people, identify with what we've gone through, and treat Coleson as if he is their only patient."

Teamwork Lessens Family Leukemia Load
The team approach at Comer Children's Hospital helped keep Atia Lutarewych's family on an even keel during their daughter's treatment for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). “In the beginning, Atia’s diagnosis devastated us and we knew that we couldn’t do it alone,” Atia's mother, Laura, said. “The staff understood that Steve and I needed support, too. They clearly explained everything and were never condescending with our concerns. They’ve become a big part of our lives.”

Teen Looks to the Future After Bone Marrow Transplant
On October 28, 2009, Jenna McKeown was diagnosed with an aggressive form of acute myeloid leukemia. Her physicians turned to the National Marrow Donor Registry to find a genetically similar unrelated donor, and were fortunate in finding matching donor quickly. Jenna started the high-dose chemo and marrow-transplant regimen. Less than a year later, and 108 days after her transplant, 17-year-old Jenna celebrated her graduation from high school.

Stem Cell Transplant Gives Leukemia Patient a Second Chance at Life
Zayla Mitsdarffer’s mother refers to the day of her daughter’s blood stem cell transplant as her “re-birthday.” On July 20, 2007, following two years of intensive, but conventional treatment for an aggressive type of leukemia, six-year-old Zayla underwent a transplant with donated stem cells from one of her sisters.

Neuroblastoma

When a Penny is More than Lucky
When a CT scan detected an 8 cm mass wrapped around Ellie's spine, the Van Rossums were referred to Dr. Susan Cohn, who diagnosed Ellie with a ganglioneuroblastoma, a part-malignant, part-benign tumor.

Going the Distance for Neuroblastoma Expertise
For Yano Pournaras, age 2-1/2 didn't bring the running and jumping of toddlerhood, but instead brought hip and knee pain, limping and fevers. Initially misdiagnosed, a CT scan accurately detected the cause of Yano's symptoms: a neuroblastoma on his spine. After researching treatment options online, Yano's father decided to travel from South Carolina for Dr. Susan Cohn's neuroblastoma expertise.

Doing Battle With Cancer … in Preschool
Comer Children's Hospital physicians helped develop a new treatment that improves survival rates for children like Abigail. Diagnosed as a preschooler with neuroblastoma, Abigail is now showing no signs of cancer. "She had a miraculous, aggressive treatment plan that literally saved her life," said her mother, Judy Mendoza.

Clinical Trial Helps Girl with Neuroblastoma
A clinical trial enhanced neuroblastoma care for 3-year-old Madison. More than a year after Madison's diagnosis and initial treatment, she is back in school. "We really feel that clinical trials represent state-of-the art therapy for children with cancer," says neuroblastoma expert Susan Cohn, MD, who helped design the clinical trial.

Optic Glioma

Team Approach, Early Intervention Save Girl's Sight
In 2002, Jenna Jongsma was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that can affect vision, growth and development. In Jenna's case, the condition also led to the development of an optic glioma, a tumor that threatened her sight. Comer Children’s Hospital specialists in oncology and neurology worked together with Jenna’s community physicians to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

Sarcoma

Bria Bounces Back
At age 15, Bria Carter was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer affecting 400 to 500 youth in the United States per year. After three months of chemotherapy, Bria's tumor remained the same size. But Bria was determined. To cure her cancer, physicians at the University of Chicago amputated the lower half of her leg. "Cancer is something that happened to me, it doesn't have to define me," Bria said.

Courageous Young Man Wins Long Battle Over Two Sarcomas
At five years old, Kyle Harvey was treated for rhabdomyosarcoma. Ten years later, he fought osteosarcoma. Kyle's positive attitude kept him going throughout his long battle with cancer. Today, he's attending college in Alabama. "Kyle is a remarkable person," says orthopaedic surgeon, Rex Haydon, MD, PhD, a member of Kyle's treatment team.

Stem Cell Transplant

Innovations in Stem Cell Transplant Allow Parent to Become Donor
Cameron Dykstra was born without an immune system and was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID), a condition commonly known as "bubble boy disease." His father’s donated blood stem cells -- purified using a novel technique -- were transplanted to Cameron where they took over the task of defending the infant’s body against harmful bacteria and viruses.