The tumor is located behind his right eye, around the optic nerve and extending downward. Fortunately no cancer has been found anywhere else, which makes Tyler's case unique. The cancer is more difficult to treat this time. Tyler isn't eligible for some protocols due to prior therapies. Some chemotherapy agents now would be too toxic to various organs, others have not been effective enough to continue to administer them.
Cancer cells become resistant to chemo and radiation treatments given previously.
Tyler's oncologist searched for the best treatment among current available protocols. In June Tyler had a 21-day continuous infusion treatment which seemed pretty mild. He kept his hair, energy and sense of taste, but his blood counts were affected. Unfortunately the tumor didn't show enough response to the treatment to continue. That led us to Loma Linda, California and one of a handful of operational proton-beam treatment centers in the world.