Decade-Long Survivor of Aggressive Brain Cancer Contributes Invaluable Insights to Research and Treatment Advancement

Rare Survivor’s Case Helps Propel Brain Cancer Research

Background: It was a decade ago when Rodney Tompkins, a 40-year-old nurse and general resident of Lexington, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. That news turned his life and the lives of his loved ones upside down. Today, his surreal survival and the scientific investigations into his prognosis are significantly helping to advance ongoing brain cancer research.

From Diagnosis to Unexpected Survivor

The first indication of Rodney’s health crisis was a sudden onslaught of debilitating headaches. Medical scans revealed a tumor, horrifically the size of an egg, lodged in the frontal lobe of his brain. With a painful grimace etched on his face, Rodney received the news of potential brain cancer, a type of cancer notorious for its poor five-year survival rate averaging at 35.7%.

While shock may have paralyzed him momentarily, Rodney quickly rallied himself to face the challenging days to come. He decided to face the painful prospect with courage, focusing on his family and making valuable memories.

Response to Treatment: A Beacon of Hope

Surgery was conducted immediately, confirming Rodney’s worst fears–he was diagnosed with an aggressive variant of brain cancer called anaplastic astrocytoma. Usually, patients with this diagnosis have a survival expectancy of two to five years. Despite the grim statistics, Rodney did not give up, and perhaps it was this fighting spirit that would eventually see him outlive his prognosis by over a decade.

Tracy, Rodney’s wife and rock, stood by him throughout the grueling treatments that included multiple surgeries, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Rodney was also early to adopt Optune, a device that disrupts cancer cell growth with low-intensity alternating electric fields.

Into Present: Living Each Day as a Blessing

Now 51 years old, Rodney, though living with some memory impairment, cherishes each day. The threat of a potential recurrence does linger, but for Rodney, the precious gift of life and family, now swollen with three granddaughters, overshadows any fear. With biannual MRIs, he keeps a vigilant check on his health.

Contributing to Brain Cancer Research

It’s not just Rodney’s survival that’s remarkable. The specifics of his diagnosis and treatment have providing invaluable insights into honing brain cancer treatment. Rodney’s astrocytoma demonstrated a mutation of a protein named “IDH” and lacked an enzyme called “MGMT”. Patients exhibiting these factors generally have better survival stories. Rodney’s case has significantly contributed to the understanding of these prognostic factors.

Case Published: Making a Scientific Impact

In 2017, Rodney’s neuro-oncologist, Dr. John Villano, and team published Rodney’s treatment report in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. This study outlines a feasible and beneficial approach to patients bearing astrocytomas with similar genetic characteristics. By diving deep into the unique molecular characteristics triggering a patient’s tumor growth, researchers are learning to find or develop drugs to counteract these abnormalities, advancing the overall quality of treatment.

Looking ahead, Rodney’s journey and survivor story continue to provide hope and inspiration to those battling similar brain cancers. His survival not only asserts the significance of advanced medical treatments but also underscores the potential resilience of the human spirit.