The BBC TV soap East Enders is to tackle the emotive subject of brain tumours in a new storyline. The Media Centre reports that the young character Lola Pearce, who is played by actress Danielle Harold, will be diagnosed with a brain tumour in a plotline to be aired during the autumn.

To ensure that the portrayal of the situation was accurate, relatable, and sensitive to viewers who may have found themselves in a similar sad situation, the BBC worked with leading charities, including Brain Tumour Research and Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Actress Danielle Harold said: “It means so much to be trusted with a storyline like this – one that’s close to many people’s hearts. Sadly many of our viewers will be able to relate to Lola’s story, and it’s been heart-breaking to speak to the families affected by brain tumours and hear their stories. 

She added: “They’ve been so amazing in sharing their experiences with me, and I’m so lucky to have them. I wouldn’t be able to do this storyline without their support.”

A brain tumour diagnosis is a life-changing event, both for the patients and their loved ones. It can be a difficult and distressing time, as there are so many practical issues to consider, such as work and careers, finances, and care, as well as the profound emotional impact that such news can carry.

Sue Castle-Smith, Head of PR and Communications at the charity Brain Tumour Research said: “We are extremely grateful to EastEnders for helping to raise awareness of brain tumours.”

She added: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and, sadly, Lola’s story will be all too familiar to one in three people who know someone affected by this devastating disease.”

Viewers who might be alerted to the signs and symptoms of a potential brain tumour through watching the TV show are encouraged to visit their GP as soon as possible. They may be referred to a specialist for a scan or further tests. The earlier a brain tumour is diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the patient. 

The treatment will depend on the size, type, location, and severity of the tumour. Benign low-grade tumours (grade 1 and 2) are non-cancerous, and they are usually slow growing. Depending on the location, they may not need operating on. High grade tumours (grade 3 or 4) are more aggressive and may spread faster, and present a threat to life.

High grade tumours will usually be operated on if it is safe to do so. There are now modern methods of operating on brain tumours, such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which are considered more accurate and safer than traditional methods of surgery. 

Gamma Knife is a type of radiotherapy which, despite its name, doesn’t involve any cutting with a scalpel or traditional open surgery. It makes use of precisely targeted radiation beams from an external machine, to deliberately damage the tumour cells in the brain, while causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. 

 

22 year old Molly Lloyd has undergone Gamma Knife radiosurgery after being diagnosed with a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Birmingham Live reports that Molly has undergone a total of three emergency surgeries since May, and is now making some signs of progress at hospital in Birmingham.

AVM occurs when an abnormal tangle of blood vessels develops in the brain. It’s a rare but potentially serious condition, because the weakened blood vessels disrupt the flow of oxygen between the heart, lungs, and brain. This leads to an increased risk of stroke, brain damage, and haemorrhage.

Molly was unfortunately unaware she had an AVM until she experienced her first seizure in 2019, aged just 19. She was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where she was diagnosed with a 4cm x 4cm AVM in the frontal lobe of her brain. The location of the AVM in critical in determining the level of risk to the patient, and the treatment they have.

Molly, from Cardiff, was able to return to her studies after treatment, and started university last year. However, in May last year, Molly was rushed to hospital with a massive brain haemorrhage. She suffered a seizure while driving, but luckily her boyfriend was able to take control of the car and guide it safely off the road. 

She underwent treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. In Molly’s case, the AVM is in the region which controls major cognitive functions, such as memory, coordination, planning, and concentration. Despite some of the damage being mitigated by previous Gamma Knife surgery, her condition remains serious.

Since May, Molly has been unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. Her mum, Jenny Lloyd, said: “Her brain will need to rewire itself – she’ll have to learn everything again like a baby. Someone could come [into hospital] the same as Molly and be walking and talking within six months. I have to hold out hope that she will get better.” 

Because of the critical location of the AVM, open neurosurgery was considered too risky. Fortunately, Molly was able to benefit from Gamma Knife Surgery, which is considered a safe and effective alternative, because it mitigates against the risks of general anaesthetic, bleeding, and infection, and of damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Gamma Knife is also known as stereotactic radiosurgery. It does not involve any incision with a surgical knife. Precisely targeted beams of radiation are directed at the affected area from an external machine, from several directions at once. This procedure disconnects the damaged blood vessels, while leaving the surrounding tissue unharmed.

Jenny explained: “Where it was located would affect her movement and speech, so they didn’t want to go in and cause any trouble. So instead she went to Sheffield for something called gamma knife radiosurgery where they put a frame around her head and gave her tiny beams of radiation. She was incredibly brave.”

Molly is now showing signs of progress, and is able to open her eyes, and respond to questions using communication cards.

 

The 2022 International Brain Tumour Awareness Week (IBTA) is taking place from 29 October to the 5 November. The aim is to raise awareness of brain tumours, and to help support anyone who has been impacted by a brain tumour, whether through a diagnosis for themself or a family member or friend.

The IBTA is organised by the International Brain Tumour Alliance, who are keen to increase the levels of research into brain tumours. Kathy Oliver, Founding Co-Director and Chair at IBTA, told the Brain Tumour Research charity: “This week is for everyone who has been impacted by a brain tumour.”

She added: “It is for anyone who hopes to see better outcomes for those diagnosed with this awful disease and – on a personal front – it is for Colin, my son who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2004 at age 24 and passed away, aged 32, in August 2011. I hope you are able to support our week.”

Suggested activities to help support IBTA include sharing stories about living with a brain tumour to local media, or with local community groups and schools. Other ideas include starting a blog about living with a brain tumour or caring for someone with a diagnosis, or developing educational resources such as webinars or online learning materials.

Popular fund-raising activities to help raise money for further brain tumour research include sponsored walks, fun runs, or quiz nights. The IBTA has also produced logos for supporters to download, and share on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. 

IBTA have also organised a virtual exhibition titled Brilliance! which is designed to celebrate the creativity of the global brain tumour community, and is available to view on their website.

 

If you would like some information about gamma knife radiosurgery in the UK, please get in touch today. 

 

Researchers at the University of Bristol are developing a new blood test that could detect brain tumours at an earlier stage, the BBC reports. The test could be carried out at a GP surgery, avoiding the need for a patient to be transferred to a waiting list to see a consultant. 

The earlier a brain tumour is detected, the more effective and specific the treatment plan can be. The test will use mathematical models to examine and compare biomarkers for the most common types of brain tumour found in adults. 

Dr Johanna Blee said: “We are hopeful this research will ultimately aid the development of a simple blood test for brain tumours. Our findings provide the basis for further clinical data on the impact of lowering the current detection threshold, to allow earlier detection of GBMs using blood tests.” 

She added: “We have also demonstrated how our models can be combined with other diagnostics such as scans to enhance clinical insight with a view to developing more personalised and effective treatments.” 

The earlier a brain tumour is diagnosed, the more chance the patient has of being successfully treated. Biomarkers, or biological markers, are indicators such as a gene or molecule in the body that can be measured by clinicians to provide useful data.

For example, they can help determine what kind of tumour it is, and give a prediction about how fast it will grow. Medics may also use the test to determine which kind of treatment will be most effective. 

Research into biomarkers is still in the relatively early stages, and currently not all hospitals offer the tests. They do not always provide 100% reliable results, but they are useful for making a prognosis, and to help medics tailor a treatment plan that is most appropriate for the patient.

If you would like some information about gamma knife radiosurgery, please get in touch today.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a brain tumour, or referred to a specialist by your GP for further testing, then no doubt you will have of lot of questions and new experiences and emotions to deal with. One of the things which often causes anxiety for new patients is going for a scan, but unfortunately multiple scans will usually be necessary. 

Here is some more information about the type of scans you will have, and some tips on how to feel calm and prepared during your scan. 

CT Scans

CT scans, or CAT scans as they are often called, refer to Computerised Tomography scans. The CT scanner will take multiple images of the inside of your head, and then computer technology will be used to stack them together into one 3D image. This allows clinicians to confirm if you have a brain tumour, and if so, where it is positioned and how big it is.

MRI scans

MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and this type of scanner uses magnetic fields rather than x-rays. However, the 3D image is created in a similar way, by taking several 2D images of the inside of your head, which are then used to build a single 3D image.

PET scans

PET scan stands for positron emission tomography scan. They work by injecting a slightly radioactive substance into the body, and a specialised camera is then used to highlight may areas of abnormality. They can provide a more accurate diagnosis of a tumour than MRI scans, but are more often used for monitoring purposes.

Before your scan

If you have told that you have an appointment for a scan, find out in advance which type of scan it will be, and ask your doctor to talk through the process with you. If you would find it helpful, record the conversation so you can play it back later and make sure that you have understood all the points. 

The scanning process

Both MRI and CT scans involve placing your head and neck inside the scanner. An MRI scanner is usually a tube shape, while a CT scanner is ring shaped. CT scans are usually fairly quick, taking between one to 10 minutes, depending on the model of scanner.

MRI scans usually take longer, and the time taken varies depending on how large the area being scanned is, and how much detail is required. It could be anything from 15 to 90 minutes. 

Before your scan, a clinician will conduct a health questionnaire to make sure that the procedure is safe for you. You’ll be asked to remove any metal items that you are wearing, such as jewellery, including piercings and watches. You will also need to remove dentures, hearing aids, glasses, and wigs. 

One of the main reasons that people fear scans is because they find the prospect claustrophobic. This is perfectly understandable and very common. It may help to have someone with you, such as a friend or relative. 

Let your GP or hospital staff know in advance if you think that you will have difficulty in coping because of your anxiety. They may prepare a mild sedative to help you feel calmer, although you should have someone to drive you home afterwards if this is the case. You will also be given an emergency button to press if you want to stop the scan at any point. 

In some cases, staff may be able to position mirrors which help you to see outside of the scanner, which can reduce feelings of claustrophobia. It may be useful to explore some mindfulness techniques, which focus on controlled breathing as a way of managing anxiety. 

Scans are not painful procedures, but they can be disconcerting experiences. An MRI scanner will make intermittent loud tapping noises, for example, which is created by the electric current being turned on and off. You’ll usually be given the option of listening to music through headphones, or given earplugs, which can help to keep you calm.

Remember that it’s important not to talk or move during the scan, as this will result in blurred and inaccurate images. Unless you have had a sedative, you should not experience any after effects from the scan. 

It usually takes one to two weeks for the results of your scan to be available. This can be an emotionally demanding time, and it may help to join some support groups which put you in touch will others in a similar situation. 

If you would like some more information about gamma knife surgery in the UK, please get in touch with us today.