Two-year-old Aaron with parents Tracy and Mark Lindridge

by Julia Roberts

A desperately ill toddler diagnosed with a rare tumour needs vital cancer-fighting treatment in the US.

Two-year-old Aaron Lindridge, from Northfleet, is suffering from a condition known as rhabdomyosarcoma - a soft tissue cancer that affects fewer than 60 children in the UK every year. The cause is unknown.

Aaron was diagnosed with the tumour, which is attached to his prostate, three days before Christmas after what doctors initially thought was a urine infection.

He is now undergoing chemotherapy and might also require surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The tumour was the size of a baked bean can, but has now shrunk to the size of a bar of soap.

The prognosis is good, but doctors have told Aaron’s parents Mark and Tracy their son will still need a form of radiotherapy that is not yet available in the UK to remove all traces of the cancer.

The family will have to spend three months in the States and, although flights and accommodation will be provided by the NHS, they will need to find their day-to-day expenses. They also want to take their seven-year-old daughter Emily.

The couple have now set up a Facebook page called Aaron’s American Adventure Community Fundraising Page to help raise the necessary funds.

“It is a new type of radiotherapy known as proton radiotherapy and they only do that in the US,” explained 43-year-old Mark.

“They are building these units in the UK, but they won’t be ready until 2014/15. That will be too late for us.”

Aaron was taken ill in December and initially prescribed antibiotics. His condition dramatically worsened and after several ultrasound and MRI scans, Mark and Tracy, 34, were given the news every parent dreads.

“It came completely out of the blue,” said Mark. “We can’t believe how quickly this has all happened.

“I have pictures of him on my computer taken in the summer when he was running around fit and healthy, and now he looks so weak and thin.

factfile

most children with rhabdomyosarcoma go on to survive following treatment.

rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant tumour of the muscles attached to bones.

although rare, it is the most common soft tissue tumour in children. it mostly affects boys under 10.

diagnosis is often difficult because of lack of symptoms. however, early diagnosis is important as it is an aggressive tumour.

“Aaron had not been ill before and it was awful to see him in absolute agony. Every time he went to the toilet it was like he was passing razor blades. He couldn’t sit down and was screaming his head off and shaking."

Aaron has now started his chemotherapy, but had to return to hospital for three weeks after his liver reacted badly to the drugs.

He still has two more sessions to go before it will be decided if surgery can be carried out. But, whether or not Aaron has the operation, he will still need radiotherapy.

Mum Tracy, who has given up her job as a cleaner to care for her son, said radiotherapy is available in this country but, because of where the tumour is, could affect his bones and joints. The proton radiotherapy is more direct and targets the minutest cells.

Mark, an HGV driver, said seeing their little boy so ill has been heartbreaking, but the youngster has been coping well.

“He knows he goes to hospital but obviously doesn’t know what he has,” added Mark, “but he is probably coping the best out of all of us.”

The family, who live in Taunton Road, have to keep a close eye on Aaron in case he picks up any infections but have been told his reaction to chemo has been normal.

Possible side-effects of his tumour and treatment may include incontinence or fertility problems but for now, Mark, Tracy and Emily are just concentrating on raising the necessary money so they can take Aaron to the US.

“We need to find the money that will not only help us while we are out there, but our mortgage here will still need to be paid, and we don’t want to have to leave Emily behind for that length of time.”