Patient's question:
MRI Diagnostic Report:Findings show a lesion approximately 2.5 cm x 2.3 cm x 2.5 cm in size in the vermis of the cerebellum, with isointense to hypointense signals on T2WI and isointense signals on T1WI. The margin is poorly defined. The fourth ventricle is compressed and reduced in size, while the third and lateral ventricles are dilated. No other abnormalities were observed.
My child is almost three months old and is a premature infant. He had birth injuries at birth, and now his head has noticeably enlarged. He has also been vomiting severely these past few days and has a dazed gaze. The delivery hospital previously mentioned that my child might have a pilocytic astrocytoma.
Doctor's answer:
Facing the immense pain of the child, it is indeed difficult to make a choice. For a child of such a young age, no matter which hospital you choose, there is no absolute guarantee of success. From experience, most brain tumors in young children are malignant, so even after a successful surgery, chemotherapy still needs to be considered. Currently, the level of treatment for pediatric brain tumors at Southern Hospital is considered relatively high. Of course, there are also excellent doctors in Beijing and Shanghai. However, the treatment for this child is not just surgery—it is comprehensive and involves multiple aspects, including surgical care, management of hydrocephalus, and control of tumor recurrence. This requires a significant amount of effort and money, which is why some doctors have suggested you give up, and I understand that as well. For patients like this, both parents and doctors feel helpless.