It has been three months since Brianne has had her brain surgery (maximal safe resection).  The surgery was very successful in the fact that our neuroncologist believes that our neurosurgeon was able to remove 99% of the tumor based on the results of today's MRI.  The tumor was classified as a Grade II Astrocytoma.  Unfortunately, there are microscopic cancer cells in the healthy brain tissue near the tumor site that do not show up in the imaging.  These cells will begin to grow again over time.  Due to the fact that there are not any visible signs of a tumor, our neuroncology team feels that radiation or chemotherapy treatments are not needed yet at this time for the following reasons:  (1) her age - under 40 (2) no regrowth of tumor yet (3) and she has identifiable markers of IDH Mutant, 1p19q co-deletion, and MGMT Methylation of the molecular structure of the tumor cells, which works in her favor. Please feel free to go on the UCSF Brain Tumor Center web page if you would like more information on markers. So where do we go from here??  Brianne will have a MRI done every three months to monitor for any tumor regrowth.  If or when any regrowth is detected, radiation and chemotherapy treatments will most likely begin at that time.  Currently, UCSF does not have a clinical trial either on the adult or pediatric side that Brianne qualifies for.  We are still waiting to hear back from Stanford's Brain Tumor Center, however according to our neuroncologist, it is unlikely that they will have a clinical trial that she qualifies for since UCSF does not.  We have also looked into alternative medicines as well that can possible help with reducing or eliminating her seizures, and slow the growth of the tumor.  Brianne is registered as a full-time student for the fall semester at her junior college, and currently has three jobs!! She is a fighter, with a beautiful smile, and we are proud of her strength, courage, and determination.  Keep her in your prayers :)

Sincerely,

The Cordano Family❤️