An 11-day-old baby boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor after doctors investigating a minor infection under his fingernail discovered the life-threatening condition. Joey Sharp, from Penicuik near Edinburgh, was born in 2020 and had been struggling to feed, losing weight, and exhibiting jaundice.
His mother, Sam Sharp, an orthopaedic nurse, brought Joey back to the hospital due to concerns about his newborn jaundice and feeding difficulties. During examination, healthcare professionals noticed a small infection, described as being like a grain of sand under one of his fingernails. This finding prompted an ultrasound, which revealed that a brain tumor was the cause of Joey's symptoms.
At the time of diagnosis, Joey was experiencing frequent spasms while feeding, which midwives had been unable to explain. The discovery of the tumor led to an urgent medical intervention.
Treatment and Recovery
Joey underwent three brain surgeries. Two of these were aimed at removing the tumor itself, while the third addressed scar tissue that was hindering the treatment of seizures. The infant suffered approximately 30 epileptic seizures per day and required feeding tubes due to the tumor's impact. Doctors indicated that without surgery on the day of diagnosis, Joey's survival would have been unlikely.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Ms. Sharp was initially alone when doctors delivered the diagnosis. Her husband was allowed to join her before Joey was taken for surgery. The tumor was identified as an aggressive and incurable form of glioblastoma. Joey also participated in clinical trials during his treatment, which aimed to improve the understanding of chemotherapy for infants.
In August 2021, after completing his treatment, Joey's family received the news that his scans showed no evidence of disease. Ms. Sharp described the moment as overwhelming, stating that for the first time in months, they felt they could breathe.
Current Status and Advocacy
Now 5 years old, Joey has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair for longer distances, and has limited use of his right hand. Despite these challenges, his mother describes him as a loving and joyful child who enjoys spending time with his siblings and attending school.
Following Joey's experience, Ms. Sharp has advocated for increased investment in brain cancer research by the Scottish government, setting a deadline of 2029 for action. She is also fundraising for the Scottish Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence by participating in the Edinburgh marathon.
Scotland's Health Secretary, Angela Constance, expressed her sympathies to the Sharp family and affirmed the government's commitment to improving cancer survival rates and earlier diagnosis. She highlighted the 2023 Cancer Strategy for Scotland, which includes a focus on less survivable cancers like brain tumors, and noted that Scotland is the only UK nation with a dedicated cancer strategy for children and young people. Dr. Karen Noble from Brain Tumour Research emphasized the urgent need for greater investment in childhood brain tumor research.