A rare bone cancer has struck at the heart of a Brackenfell family when 16-year-old Kaitline Otto was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma earlier this year.
Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in bones or in the soft tissue around the bones.
“It mostly occurs in teenagers between the ages of 10 and 20 and most often begins in the leg bones, but it can occur in any bone.
“It can also start in the soft tissues of the chest, abdomen, or limbs,” says Dr Bradley Kuhn from Brackenfell Medicross of whom Kaitline is a patient.
In January Kaitline started experiencing pain in her chest and ribs. Thinking it was inflammation, mom Alisha gave her anti-inflammatory medication.
But when she noticed a little lump on her chest bone in March, Alisha sought medical help; a biopsy was done and the cancer was confirmed.
According to Kuhn patients under 16 have a five-year survival rate of 60%, whereas patients over 16 years have a 70% five-year survival rate.
“When diagnosed under the age of 16 the prognoses is worse,” he says.
Alisha says cancer is something she never could have expected to happen to her only daughter.
“Our family stands strong in faith and prayer and holds on to hope.
“We know this is going to be a long road and we are all there for her.”
Kaitline is currently undergoing her first three months of chemotherapy to shrink the cancer followed by surgery in September to have her breastbone removed and reconstructed.
“After that she will face another three months of chemotherapy and possible radiotherapy,” says Kuhn.
Initially, treatment was very hard for Kaitline especially when her hair started falling out.
“But she is very strong and understands her journey ahead, and although the chemo takes its toll, Kaitline is resolved. She sees a ray of light in her chemo medicine and calls it her liquid sunshine,” says Alisha.
Kuhn has started a fundraising campaign on the crowd-funding platform, Backabuddy to raise funds for her treatment.
“Kaitline is in Grade 11 and trying to keep up with her schoolwork despite the severe side effects of chemo and the time it takes from her life and the emotional trauma it causes to the whole family. Her family have no medical aid and private costs are astronomical and time of the essence with this type of cancer.
Her family and her desperately need help to afford the treatment and other logistics necessary to save her life and to help her to keep up with living the rest of her life,” he says.
Treatment plan
Major advancements in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma has helped the outlook for patients with this cancer, but will require lifelong monitoring.
To create awareness around Ewing sarcoma, Brackenfell Medicross ran an awareness campaign during July, wearing specially designed T-shirts and the symbolic yellow ribbon.
Kuhn says if not diagnosed early the cancer can spread to other parts of the body, the lungs being first.
“Early symptoms to look out for is an inexplicable lump on your bone along with pain and swelling that can often be mistaken for inflammation. Tummy aches and general weight-loss is also common,” he says.
Other symptoms include unexplained tiredness and fever and parents are urged to see their doctor if any of these symptoms persist in their child.
“Common things occur common, but this cancer is rare. Trust your gut and go check it out,” says Kuhn.
Support Kaitline on her backabuddy page at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/kaitline-otto-5663540215312442198
