UPDATE 08

We talked with the surgeon this morning and, while we’re still waiting for labs to confirm, Jack likely has a germ cell tumor that is a nongerminoma (NGGCT).

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A quick lesson first:

There are three types of germ cell tumors:

1. Nongerminoma (NGGCT)
Again, we’re still waiting for labs, but this is what they think Jack has based on the labs etc. It is a middle ground, cancerous tumor. It doesn’t respond as well to chemo / radiation as a germinoma, but it still responds!!

2. Germinomas, which are more responsive to chemo / radiation

3. Glioblastoma / more aggressive tumors. Based on the labs, they don’t think it’s this (YAY!!!)

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The tentative plan with the information we have at the moment is:

The first step is to address the hydrocephalus with a surgery called a ventriculostomy. This procedure will poke a hole so there’s a new place for the fluid to drain. This will help reduce his symptoms (sweet relief!) This will likely happen on Wednesday 8/6.
Ideally, the results will come back on Monday and this surgery will not have to include a biopsy (only because a biopsy will add a little more risk to the surgery).

The next step will be radiation and chemo to hopefully shrink the tumor (if this works they won’t have to go in and remove it with surgery).

All for now!

xGrace