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Article Queensland Baby Diagnosed With Rare Cancer While Still In Womb

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At just eight weeks old, Jasper Hill has already endured more health battles in his sort life than many people do in their entire lifetime.

The Queensland baby was diagnosed with a rare cancer before he was even born, and started chemotherapy at just three weeks old.

Jasper Hill

 

Hi mum Lauren was heading towards the end of her pregnancy, when a scan at 35 weeks discovered a mass. Specialists at Brisbane’s Mater Mothers’ Hospital found a 7cm neuroblastoma tumour growing on Jasper’s spine.

His parents were devastated, but the fact that he was diagnosed before he was born, meant he had a head start on beating the cancer.

Jasper Hill

Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine Director Dr Glenn Gardener led the team who confirmed the type, size and location of the cancer.

“If detected early, the survival rate with early treatment is about 90 per cent in babies under 18 months,” Dr Gardener said. “If left untreated, the cancer cells can spread quickly to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, liver, lungs, bones, central nervous system, and bone marrow.”

Jasper Hill

The couple was told that surgeons couldn’t operate on Jasper, because the tumour was behind the tiny boy’s heart and close to his spine.

“Being able to know and understand all the possibilities of what could happen to Jasper after he was born was helpful,” Lauren explained.

“We knew his tumour was pushing on his diaphragm and didn’t know what his breathing would be like.”

Jasper was born on September 5, and spent time in intensive care. At three weeks old he started chemotherapy.

“I am still I denial and in survival mode,” Lauren said.

“Jasper has a big three-year-old sister who doesn’t understand what cancer is and why her brother can’t come home yet. We want nothing more than for him to be cured of this cancer and to be back home enjoying life as a family of four, and to one day enjoy a holiday together.”

Jasper Hill

Jasper Hill

Doctors have told the family Jasper has a ‘really good chance’ of beating the cancer, but for the immediate future Lauren is hoping for some time at home with her newborn over Christmas.

“We are hoping he will be home to celebrate his first Christmas with us, but depending on the chemotherapy schedules, it’s likely he will still be in hospital.”

Anyone wanting to help with the family’s medical costs can donate at the GoFundMe fundraiser.

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Comments

  • Aren’t we so lucky to be living in this day and age? In years gone by without MRI’s and pregnancy scans, this poor baby would have died because by the time he was born and then the doctors tried to find what was wrong, it would have been too late! Wishing all the best to this amazing couple, their baby and the amazing doctors that are looking after them.

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  • They would have been devastated to know that their unborn child had cancer, but to learn what could be done once he was born would have been a big relief. I hope that all goes well and, even if Jasper can’t come home for Christmas, I’m sure the hospital will let them celebrate Christmas at the hospital together.

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  • This is terrible. Wishing the family all the best

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  • How terrifying. I do hope that things work out well for him and his family.

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  • What a horrible start to life for this poor little baby. This treatment is aggressive but it works. This family must be so strong. All my love and well wishes to you all. Heres hoping that your beautiful baby will be with you as soon as possible and you can begin your life away from hospital as a family of four.

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  • That’s so horrible, the poor little thing. At least they have given him a high chance of survival, I hope all goes well. It is truly amazing what they can do in the medical profession these days. In times gone by, they wouldn’t have even known about the cancer and he probably would have died young.

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  • Oh my godness how scary for this family and all that they have gone through. It sounds positive that doctors think he can beat the cancer which is a really great sign. I hope and will pray that this poor child makes it through and this family can grow up together and enjoy everything life brings.

    Reply

  • This must be so absolutely terrifying for the parents. What a tough start that poor baby has had but modern medicine has come so far and if doctors believe he can beat it then I have every faith he will. Praying the little one gets to spend time with his family over Christmas and that all works out and this little fighter has a long, happy life.

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  • Thank Gog that he was diagnosed before he was born, which meant he had a head start on beating the cancer. Let’s hope and pray the treatment will be 100% successful !! So positive the doctors think he has a real good chance in beating the cancer. Sending much love, strength and endurance to this family !

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  • I can’t even begin to put my self in my minds of these parents. How unfair. I hope this is the first of a lifetime of Christmases with this beautiful little fighter.

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  • My sympathy. It is very hard giving birth to a child who you know will have challenges.

    Reply

  • Life is just so cruel sometimes. This must be devastating for the family of this beautiful little boy. We can only all hope that the Doctors are correct in heir confidence and all goes well for him.

    Reply
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