A TODDLER struggling to go to the toilet didn’t seem too out the ordinary for Caroline Ronsseray when her three-year-old started having difficulties.
But she and her husband were left shocked when their son Gaspard’s symptoms turned out to be stage three cancer .
Gaspard Ronsseray’s constipation at the age three seemed normal to mum Caroline
But it was a sign the toddler had rhabdomyosarcoma
In late 2018, as well as struggling with going to the toilet, Gaspard had complained of a pain in one of his legs.
He was given medication by a for constipation, but it didn’t work and his symptoms got worse – he turned pale, stopped eating and playing, and was constantly tired.
Whilst waiting at home for the results of a scan, Caroline, 44, and her husband, Benjamin, 44, rushed Gaspard to the hospital at 11pm after noticing his stomach was “huge.”
Further scans revealed he had a 12cm tumour in his prostate and bladder and he was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) where a biopsy revealed he had stage three rhabdomyosarcoma – a type of soft tissue cancer.
Caroline, who works in financial services, from Hammersmith, , said: “He was struggling with going and we thought it was normal symptoms for kids his age, but it got worse and worse.”
Recalling his diagnosis, she added: “It was a shock. I think it was more of a shock for my husband as I felt like I knew something was wrong, but you don’t expect to hear that.
“The good thing, if I can say that, is that he was so young that he wasn’t scared, and he didn’t realise how serious it was.”
Following his diagnosis in December 2018, Gaspard’s intestines were drained and he was started on “intense” , said Caroline – undergoing nine cycles for six months – including three months of specialist proton beam treatment in the US.
She explained: “It was five days of daily intense chemo, two weeks off and then another cycle – we were inpatients until February.
“He lost 25 per cent of his weight as he wasn’t eating.
“He couldn’t walk, so he had daily physio and the tumour was pressing on his sciatic nerve.
“He also had proton beam radiotherapy from March to May in in the US.
“It’s scary as parents – there’s nothing we can do to help or say to him.
“The tumour was down to 6 or 7cm in March and then by July it was 2 or 3cm.”
“In July 2019 we then went to a maintenance chemotherapy for 12 months which was daily oral tablets on top of one day a week of chemotherapy.”
Gaspard was then moved onto maintenance oral chemotherapy for 12 months, which involved daily oral tablets on top of one day a week of chemotherapy.
But he recently passed the five-year cancer-free milestone.
Every time he’s not feeling well, you can’t switch off from thinking something might happen
Caroline Ronsseray
Caroline said: “Gaspard rang the bell in May five years post treatment so he’s now completely cancer free and the likelihood of it returning is so small but it’s always on our mind.
“Every time he’s not feeling well, you can’t switch off from thinking something might happen.”
Having now reached the five-year mark, Caroline says she is able to “strangely” hold positive memories.
She said: “Because the outcome is good for us, I only keep good memories, strange to say.
“The US was very difficult but it’s an amazing memory.
“How often can you be with your whole family going to the beach, when Gaspard was feeling okay, and enjoying each other’s company for three months?”
Gaspard underwent “intense” chemotherapy
His treatment also included three months of specialist proton beam treatment in the US
Five years post treatment Gaspard rang the bell, and is now completely cancer free
Gaspard, now 10, and his family are taking part in RBC Race for the Kids 2025, raising vital funds to help GOSH build a world-leading new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Caroline said: “Every day we would have a Play team volunteer come in to distract him during treatment.
“They would be there to play with him and offer to read books to him.
“He was spoilt with Christmas gifts, and it all played a big role in the beginning.
“We could breathe and it was very important for us.”
You can read more about GOSH charity here: gosh.org
What is rhabdomyosarcoma?
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma (tumour).
Most children with rhabdomyosarcoma are younger than 10 years old, and it’s more common in boys than girls.
The causes of rhabdomyosarcoma are unknown but research is going on all the time.
Children with certain rare genetic disorders, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, have a higher risk of developing rhabdomyosarcoma.
The most common symptom is a lump or swelling. Other symptoms will depend on the part of the body that’s affected by the rhabdomyosarcoma:
- a tumour in the head or neck area can sometimes cause a blockage (obstruction) and discharge from the nose or throat; occasionally, an eye may appear swollen and protruding
- a tumour in the abdomen (tummy) can cause pain or discomfort in the abdomen and difficulty going to the toilet (constipation)
- a tumour in the bladder may cause symptoms such as blood in the urine and difficulty passing urine (peeing)
The outlook for rhabdomyosarcoma varies significantly based on risk factors, but overall, many cases are curable, especially in children with localised disease.
Source:
