Easy terms from another mom whose child has the mutation... Yes, a child can have the genetic mutation in absence of either parent having it. This is called a de novo mutation (basicaly it means, out of nowhere) and these mutations happen all the time. So, something happened either randomly at the egg/sperm level or to the fertilized egg that changed that particular gene, and that gene is responsible for suppressing/stopping tumor cells from growing. I was crushed when we first learned Andrew had the mutation. It was 2007 and I assumed it was a death sentence. I assumed if he had the mutation then he was necessarily absolutely undoubtedly going to relapse. But he hasnt. 7 years later. He still might, but he hasnt yet. There are kids WITH the mutation that relapse; and there are kids WITHOUT the mutation that relapse. Theres no real patterns. The science has not advanced to the point of predicting relapse/survival. It will, I know it will, but it just isnt there yet. Now, I kind of take solace in the mutation. It explains it for me. I can understand at a genetic, scientific level why he developed cancer - hes missing a gene that was supposed to control cancer growth.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 02:52:31 +0000
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