Astrocytoma Brain Cancer Treatment for Kid: 5 Years Old Russian Child Undergoes Surgery in Korea and ECCT Therapy — Now Doing Well Over 10 Years Later

MRI scans showing Max’s brain before and after surgery, and recurrence detected 9 months post-op in Korea (before ECCT). Also shown: MRI and CT scans after 8 months and 4 years of ECCT use showing no detectable tumor mass

Max was only 5 years old when he was diagnosed with brain cancer in early 2014 in Russia. Max was born in Russia in 2009 to Russian parents. When he was just one year old, Max suffered a traumatic brain injury from an accident that caused bleeding inside the skull. He was diagnosed with epidural hematoma on the right side of his brain. He underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding, followed by another surgery to insert a platinum implant to replace part of the damaged skull. After the surgery, he began to experience seizures resembling epilepsy, which affected his development.

At age 5, Max experienced a severe seizure unlike his usual episodes. An MRI revealed a tumor mass in the right side of his brain, not the side previously operated on. The tumor characteristics were consistent with a malignant glioma. His mother then took him to South Korea for tumor removal surgery, which went smoothly. The pathology confirmed the malignancy—astrocytoma. Astrocytoma Brain Cancer Treatment for Kid has always been a challenge. Given the tumor’s high risk of recurrence, doctors recommended chemotherapy. His mother, however, declined due to Max’s ongoing epilepsy issues stemming from his earlier brain trauma.

Less than 9 months after surgery, MRI scans revealed the return of a tumor near the original surgical site. His mother became increasingly anxious, as Max was still battling epilepsy and now faced a cancer recurrence. She remained determined to avoid chemotherapy or radiation, which could worsen his epilepsy. So his family decided to give ECCT a try. Max started using the ECCT device in December 2014. Overall, Max’s treatment went smoothly with no significant side effects. After eight months of ECCT usage, an MRI scan confirmed that the tumor had cleared. Max continued using the ECCT for another five years. With CT scans remaining clear throughout this period, his mother later requested to switch the ECCT treatment protocol from tumor therapy to electrical stimulation to help manage his epilepsy. Over 10 years later, Max’s condition remains relatively stable.

A decade after, Max’s mother shared a photo and video of him playing at a beach in Turkey. Max looks healthy and speaks in a clear, vibrant voice as always.