Agreement Reached On Teen's Cancer Treatment

Featured Article
Main Category: Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Article Date: 16 Aug 2006 - 11:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

Starchild Abraham Cherrix, 16, has Hodgkins' Disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system - he was diagnosed a year ago. A three month course of chemotherapy debilitated him so much that he refused to accept a second, more intensive course of chemotherapy earlier on this year when the cancer came back. His doctors had recommended that he receive this second round of treatment.

Standard treatment for Hodgin's disease is usually successful - more than 80% of people with stage I or II Hodgkin's survive for at least 10 years. It is one of the most curable of cancers.

He then started receiving alternative herbal treatment his parents had learnt about in a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. His father makes a stew, which includes liquorice and red clover. Abraham takes it four times a day. While he drinks the potion his parents pray.

A social worker who was concerned about his health asked a juvenile court to intervene. His family was taken to court by The state of Virginia. About one month ago the court found Abraham's parents neglectful and ordered that the boy report for the treatment he had refused. His parents appealed, the judge suspended the order and a new trial took place.

The new trial has ended with an agreement between Abraham's lawyers and social services. Under what is legally known as a consent decree, Abraham must be treated by an oncologist. However, he can choose who treats him, as long as it is an oncologist qualified and registered for radiotherapy, and is also keen on alternative medicine.

Abraham's family have to send the court quarterly updates on Abraham's state of health and treatments. This must go on until he is either cured or reaches 18, whichever comes first.

So, Abraham need not undergo the chemotherapy treatment he so hated, but he will still receive care from an expert.

What is Hodgkin's Disease?

Hodgkin's Disease is also known as Hodgkin's, Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Lymphoma. It is a cancer of lymph tissue which resides in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow.

The first sign is usually an enlarged lymph node which appears, the cause of which is not known. The cancer can spread to other lymph nodes nearby, and eventually spread to the lungs, bone marrow or liver.

We do not know what causes Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It most commonly affects people aged 15-35 and 50-70.

Symptoms

-- Fever and chills
-- General itching
-- Loss of appetite
-- Night sweats
-- Swollen glands - Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin (painless)
-- Tiredness
-- Weight loss

There can be other symptoms, such as skin blushing/flushing, neck pain, hair loss, clubbing of fingers and/or toes and flank pain.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma has four stages:

Stage I
Just one lymph node is affected

Stage II
Two lymph nodes on the same side of the diaphragm are affected

Stage III
Two or more lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphram

Stage IV
The cancer has spread beyond the lymph nodes, perhaps to the lungs, liver or bone marrow.

Useful Web Site
Lymphoma Information Network

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

• Additional
• References
• Citations